Physics, Chemistry, Innovation & Entrepreneurship
If you show me any scene from Brooklyn Nine-Nine, I can tell you exactly what episode and season it's from. I've only watched the show once.
My upbringing has been anything but conventional—I’ve lived in four countries across three continents, spanning Europe, Africa and Asia. Each of these cultures has had starkly different approaches to development and technology, and I’m intrigued by the potential to bridge that disconnect. That is what led me to science, particularly Physics. We don’t give enough credit to the bizarrely creative side of the field. There’s something magical about how concepts work in tandem with one another, and with a bit of imagination, they lead to real, tangible impact.
This philosophy has guided all my efforts thus far. In high school, I founded two projects aimed at making quality STEM education more accessible to economically disadvantaged groups in Kenya and India. My efforts led to many eye-opening conversations with the most inspiring people, some of whom I’m proud to call my mentors today. Those interactions helped me define how to blend research with social justice. For example, I led a club that built Kenya’s first pro-bono social and behavioural therapy centre for neurodivergent children; which exemplifies how research in psychology can respond to an authentic need. Apart from that, I’ve been involved with research under established organisations, exploring industry through pharmaceuticals, and academia through astrophysics. My experiences not only introduced me to the cutting edge of innovation in these fields, but also reinforced my commitment to social impact.
Now, as I pursue majors in Physics and Chemistry, and a certificate in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, I’m excited about the future. My goal, as it stands today, is to develop innovative, tailored, scientific solutions for marginalised communities across the globe. I hope you’ll join my journey!
A lot! Our community is made up of the most interesting people; and I’m able to access some incredible research opportunities both globally and within Duke. Further, despite being a minority in my field, SPIRE never fails to surround me with support, both academically and emotionally.
