Nida Iqbal

If the question of defining my identity refers to a genealogical or even geographical history, then I am an American, raised in Texas by immigrant parents who hail from Pakistan. If it refers to educational background and expertise, then I am a Scientist interested in uncovering secrets of the universe through the lens of Molecular Biology. More specifically, I am a graduate student currently enrolled at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center where I am in the midst of earning a Phd in Genetics, Development and Disease. If the question of self refers to hobbies or interests I enjoy outside of the laboratory, I am still a Scientist, enamored by the complexities of all biological life forms and forever curious into their inner workings. Perhaps I can best be defined by something I read in my youth that has stuck with me since: “But since why is difficult to handle, one must take refuge in how.” At the end of the day, I am someone who enjoys reading Toni Morrison and someone who strives to understand how this particular world ticks and how its miraculous beauty can help me grow.