NJIT Honors Scholar Pursues PhD in Bioengineering at UMD

Next up for NJIT biomedical engineering graduate Amal Shabazz: the Ph.D. program in bioengineering at the University of Maryland. But first, the Albert Dorman Honors Scholar has a 10-week summer internship at Pfizer in Andover, Mass.

Her four years in University Heights were filled with helpful mentors, key internships and welcoming peer groups that collectively helped opened the door to graduate school. In an interview, she shares what she gained and where she hopes it leads.

What first sparked your interest in biomedical engineering?
I was always torn between studying medicine or studying engineering. In my junior year of high school, I took a career prep class that allowed me to look into possible career options, and that's how I discovered biomedical engineering. I was able to find the perfect intersection of medicine, science and engineering.

How did Adjunct Professor George Collins guide you?
I met him through another professor, Bruno Mantilla. Both of them helped me start thinking about my post-baccalaureate future and guided me on what I wanted to do with a degree in biomedical engineering - tissue engineering. Any advice that they had for me was shared through life lessons that they learned. None of my questions were left unanswered by Dr. Collins, and he provided me with sound advice that got me to where I am today.

And Professor Treena Arinzeh?
Throughout my college journey, I often suffered from imposter syndrome and the idea that I was not as good as my peers. This stemmed from a lack of mentors that looked like me. Then came Dr. Arinzeh, a black woman who has had a profound impact on the field of tissue engineering. Dr. Arinzeh has always been a figure that I look up to and aspire to be like one day.

What did you gain from your involvement with the National Society of Black Engineers?
Lots of resources, including study sessions tailored to classes that we might need help in, career and academic workshops focused on our future and conferences to help us secure jobs and network with others. In fact, I secured my internship with Pfizer through my involvement at NSBE's national conference.

How did the Black Student Union help you?
It enabled me to discuss current social issues present in our society and make new friends. I also served as the vice president for 2021-22, which helped me gain valuable leadership skills and learn how to run an organization.

Were last summer's Blue Rock and Alliance for Regenerative Medicine internships interconnected?
Yes, ARM is an organization that consists of an international community of companies within regenerative medicine, one of which is BlueRock Therapeutics. ARM launched a program last year that aims to close the gap in the underrepresentation of black employees in regenerative medicine by providing paid internships for black students in the field. Applicants are matched with companies that best fit their interests. When I applied, I was matched with BlueRock - and gladly so.

What's the focus of your Pfizer internship?
I am working with the biotech operations team to help manufacture commercial drugs.

How long will it take to earn your Ph.D.?
The average time to earn a Ph.D. is five to six years, so it will most likely take me about five years.

Where do you hope that leads?
A research and development setting where I can research ways to cure diseases and health disparities that are prevalent in minority communities.

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