Meet Fariha Ahmad. Ahmad is a second- year Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Bioengineering at Rice University. Ahmad is from Texas and is a Rice Graduate Ambassador. Ambassadors are students who represent the university and help prospective students gain knowledge of student life as a graduate student at Rice.
Ahmad chose Rice as a graduate school because of her passion for doing research and studying bioengineering.
Her research involves using 3D printing to make small machines and materials that work similarly to the small intestine. This replication is meant to help future scientists determine the causes and cures of diseases in the small intestine.
When she is not conducting research, she serves in various leadership roles within the Rice community. She is a part of the Bioengineering Graduate Student Association (BIOE GSA) on campus.
Ahmad advises prospective students to be sure the lab they are interested in is accepting students that year, but also to do research on the school’s location and their potential labmates.
“Look into life in cities at schools you're interested in,” said Ahmad. “You would also want to ensure that you, your prospective P.I.s, and future fellow graduate students share similar ideals when it comes to work-life balance.”
Ahmad advises current students to create a support system to help maintain their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
“Working on your academic goals comes easier when you're not struggling with the rest of your life,” said Ahmad.
Outside of academics, Ahmad has fostered over 70 kittens. She enjoys the greenery, and grassy scenery Rice and Houston provide. Her year-round favorite activities include taking walks, going running, and having picnics in the nature scenes.
Graduate ambassadors can be contacted via email at gradambassadors@rice.edu. Fariha Ahmad can be contacted directly by email at fna2@rice.edu.