Sarah Almutawa, who grew up in Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, will be graduating this spring with a bachelor’s degree in biology and a certificate in Global Health. In this Q&A, she talks about her multiple undergraduate research experiences and her roles as mentee, mentor and TA for the Honors Biocore program. In her senior year, Almutawa was selected as a Rhodes Scholarship finalist.

Why did you choose your major?
I have always been fascinated by biological processes that are tightly regulated in the human body and knew I wanted to be a biologist since the third grade. Through my biology degree I learned about why and how various biological processes are initiated on a molecular and cellular level and how they manifest on a physiological level.

What other activities were you involved in?
I am an undergraduate researcher at the Kang Lab in the Department of Cellular and Regenerative Biology at the Wisconsin Institutes for Medical Research. I am investigating the molecular mechanisms that underlie fin regeneration in zebrafish. Prior to that, I completed a summer research internship at the King Abdullah University for Science and Technology (KAUST) investigating rice plant pathogen resistance at the Center for Desert Agriculture. Currently, I am a diversity, equity, and inclusivity researcher for the Honors Biocore program here at UW-Madison, investigating the prevalence of imposter phenomenon within Biocore students. Additionally, I have been an undergraduate teaching assistant for the advanced Honors Biocore courses (Biocore 485 and 587). I am also a member of the Muslim-interest sorority, Alpha Lambda Rho (ALR).

What are your future academic and/or career plans?
I look forward to starting my master’s degree in bioscience at King Abdullah University for Science and Technology (KAUST) this upcoming August of 2023. After completing a PhD in biology, I aspire to be an academic researcher in translational biology and a faculty member.

What were the most meaningful college experiences you had?
A meaningful experience I have had was taking an Earth Partnership Indigenous Arts and Sciences course this past summer as a field experience for the global health certificate in which I had the privilege to visit the College of Menominee Nation and connect with the Menominee people.

Being an undergraduate researcher at the Kang Lab has been extremely valuable to me as it solidified my decision in pursuing graduate school and getting involved in translational research with benefits to human health. It also taught me the importance of discipline and self-motivation in research.

Finally, being a peer mentor and then an undergraduate teaching assistant for the Biocore program has been a significant experience in which I not only developed my communication and teaching skills, but also gave back to the program that taught me so much. It was immensely rewarding as I got the chance to form genuine connections with my mentees and guide them through Biocore.

When you think about your time here as student, what are you proud of?
I am proud to have maintained a strong academic record and work ethic while never losing sight of my responsibilities towards my community through mentorship, leadership and volunteer work.

Do you have any advice you’d like to share with CALS students?
My biggest piece of advice would be to continue exploring your interests through various courses and non-academic experiences and to maximize on every opportunity that presents itself. Actively seek out opportunities and uncover unknown potential by trying new things, however challenging or unfamiliar.