Rana Ahmed (27), from Egypt, is completing her master’s in science (microbiology) at the University of Manitoba, Canada. A dual focus on microbial resistance and disease prevention, particularly in humanitarian settings, forms the basis for her career in antimicrobial resistance research.
Rana plans on beginning a doctorate immediately after her master's and aims to be a university professor, to strengthen her role as a mentor in STEM fields. She will continue to create tangible opportunities for girls pursuing STEM education. Rana aims to globally transform women's education with the BloomHer Learning Hub, a non-profit that establishes accessible online education platforms, providing educational and social support for women.
Rana possesses a deep understanding of the challenges faced by underrepresented individuals, working to eliminate barriers to achievement and empower marginalized voices within her community. She organizes fundraising activities to raise funds and awareness for childhood cancer. Rana initiates community-driven projects and provides mentorship to aspiring individuals—for example, writing science content for students to bridge educational gaps and facilitate global access to education.
Rana exhibits exceptional leadership qualities as a changemaker and inspiring role model with a commendable ability to embrace community outreach, foster connections, and bring diverse individuals together. She has received numerous awards, including the Tony K. Lau award for volunteer service and the RBC Future Award from Volunteer Manitoba, which directed a $5,000 donation to the Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba in her name, and was nominated for the Top 100 Women-Canadian Tire Community Impact Award for commitment to academic excellence and community welfare.
