Alumni, ISEF, Science Talent Search
Learning from women in Â鶹¹ÙÍø, from ‘astronauts, to policy makers, to TV stars’
Not every high school student gets a chance to visit the White House. Even fewer have the opportunity to participate in important conversations with influential Â鶹¹ÙÍø leaders while there.
In 2014, Zarin Rahman did just that. SheÌýÌýand participated in a panel discussion on empowering women and young girls in Â鶹¹ÙÍø.
Zarin was a finalist in Intel ISEF 2012-2014 and Intel Â鶹¹ÙÍø 2014. TheÌýskills, tools, and scientific research she developed at science fairs in high school have translated seamlessly into her work in labs. SheÌýstudies cognitive neuroscience and psychology at Harvard University andÌýjoined a lab at Boston Children’s Hospital.
Read the interview below to learn more about Zarin’s labwork and visit to the White House.
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TELL US ABOUT THE WHITE HOUSE SCIENCE FAIR:ÌýThe most memorable part of visiting the White House was being a member on a panel discussing the empowerment of women and young girls through Â鶹¹ÙÍø education.ÌýAs a young woman interested in Â鶹¹ÙÍø, it’s an issue that I am very passionate about.
I enjoyed offering my story and perspective on the panel, as well as listening to the wise words of several other women in the Â鶹¹ÙÍø field, from astronauts, to policy makers, to TV stars.
Help inspire other young women scientists like Zarin.ÌýJoin the Society today!
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WHAT ARE YOUR CURRENT SCIENCE GOALS:ÌýCurrently, I’m working in the Nelson Lab in the Labs of Cognitive Sciences at Boston Children’s Hospital. The lab’s research focuses on the emotional development of infants,Ìýin addition to the study of children at risk of developing autism.
It’s wonderful to connect to those as passionate about Â鶹¹ÙÍø as I am!
While the research is only tangentially similar to my White House Science Fair project, the skills, tools, and scientific research knowledge that I developed while conducting my science fair research in high school translates seamlessly over into the work that I do every day in my current lab. I’m curious about the world, asking questions, and probing problems whenever I get the chance.
DO YOU STAY IN TOUCH WITH OTHER TALENTED PEOPLE YOU MET AT THE WHITE HOUSE SCIENCE FAIR:ÌýWe follow each other on several forms of social media and contact each other in person whenever we have the chance to be at the same place at the same time. It’s always so wonderful to connect to those as passionate about Â鶹¹ÙÍø as I am!
