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Reem Eldabagh, who graduated with a double major in biology and chemistry as well as a minor in French, has been named the 2018 “Outstanding Senior” by the William Paterson University Alumni Association.
The award, which has been presented annually since 1962, is the highest honor bestowed by the Alumni Association. The recipient is selected by the Association's Executive Council based on strong involvement in extracurricular activities, demonstrated leadership ability, service to the University, and high academic standing.
“To get this award is truly an honor for me. Through it, I hope to inspire and empower my peers from William Paterson University and all around the world to believe in themselves no matter what their backgrounds are,” Eldabagh says. Citing her time living in the United Arab Emirates, she continues, “There was a point where I only dreamed about university in America, let alone graduating early with so many honors and awards.”
Eldabagh graduated summa cum laude, after only three years, and performed very high-level interdisciplinary genetics research during her time on campus. Additionally, she has served as president of Les Francophones – the French club on campus – vice president of the Future Healthcare Professionals, and public relations officer for the Chemistry Club, Muslim Student Association, and Students for Justice in Palestine. She has also been a member of the Student Government Association’s Academic Affairs Committee, and has been very involved in community service both on and off campus.
Among other endeavors, Eldabagh has taken part in WP’s Pioneer Service Ventures, and has been a volunteer teaching assistant at the Islamic Center of Passaic County, cat care volunteer at the Wayne Animal Shelter, and emergency room volunteer at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Wayne.
Eldabagh began her research on campus under the mentorship of biology professor Dr. James Arnone, a molecular biologist who specializes in DNA gene expression. Eventually, she expanded her research by also collaborating with chemistry professor Dr. Jay Foley, a physical chemist. With the mentorship she received in his lab, Eldabagh began to write code – taking the gene expression data she compiled with Dr. Arnone and performing statistical analyses on it. By expanding her research in such a way, she was able to learn about the nature of the eukaryotic genome and the effects of certain spatial arrangements of genes on their expression.
Two paid on-campus summer research internships, via WP’s chapter of the Garden State – Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation in STEM, helped Eldabagh dive into this work.
Research in genetics, medicinal chemistry, and chemical bioengineering using nanoparticles may lead to the success of gene therapy, which uses DNA rather than drugs to cure diseases such as cancer, anemia, and macular degeneration, Eldabagh explains. “Just as personal computers were simply inconceivable at first but are widespread today, gene therapy, and other therapies such as immunotherapy and nanomedicine, may be the same,” she adds.
Eldabagh presented her research at Harvard Medical School last month, explaining her work to many graduate students, medical students, and professors from universities across the country during a daylong conference.
“The research and education at William Paterson University are just as strong as any major research university out there,” she says. One of the reasons Eldabagh chose WP, she adds, is because of the research opportunities afforded to undergraduates. “You don’t get the opportunity to do research in science as an undergrad at a lot of other institutions where those spots are filled by graduate students and post-docs.”
Eldabagh has also been awarded the “Outstanding Senior” award for both the biology department and the chemistry department, and she has earned the 2018 “Dean’s Award” from WP’s College of Science and Health.
“The fruits of hard work may not always be immediately realized, but when they are harvested, they are as sweet as can be,” Eldabagh says. “Never let anyone make you stop believing in yourself, always work hard, and don’t forget to thank everyone who helped along the way.”
She will remain at William Paterson to pursue a master’s degree in materials chemistry starting in the fall.
