Fatema Riaz is seen preparing multiple antibiotic solutions that were used to perform experiments at a laboratory in the University of Lethbridge. Riaz is spending her summer working on antibiotic resistance research with a professor at the university for six weeks while she participates in an Alberta Summer Research Program called HYRS before heading back to Medicine Hat High School to finish Grade 12.--SUBMITTED PHOTO
bmiller@medicinehatnews.com
For some students summer break is an opportunity to put away the text books and focus on other important things in life. Some students might kick back and relax, catching up on some much needed sleep. Others are motivated to work and volunteer, while others may spend extra quality time with family and friends.
However, for Medicine Hat High School student Fatema Riaz, summer involves conducting antibiotic resistance research under a biochemistry professor at the University of Lethbridge.
The born-and-raised Hatter who has always had an interest in her studies says she wants to advance the field of medicine by becoming a medical researcher or surgeon.
Riaz, who will be entering Grade 12 in the fall, is currently participating in a six-week high school youth researcher summer program that offers paid research experience for Grade 11 students who are interested in health and medical sciences.
Riaz was accepted to the HYRS program after a thorough application process and receiving a nomination from her teacher, Mr. Brown. The program targets students looking to explore careers in health research and innovation.
“Teenagers have the potential to help advance our medical fields,” says Riaz. “Even though you’re in high school there are still quite a few students who are definitely capable of doing university research.”
Before completing her Grade 11 year, Riaz aced both her Grade 12 Biology 30 and Math 30-1 diploma exams by scoring a perfect 100 per cent. She also scored a 98 per cent on her Chemistry 30 diploma exam.
Riaz says on an average day at the university lab she will begin by preparing different antibiotics that she will conduct testing on throughout the day. Riaz then tests how effective each antibiotic is against bacteria and ribosomes. She says the experience has been motivating.
“From this experience, I definitely know I want to do research in university,” says Riaz. “Getting this type of research in high school, it’s not very common to work with a professor as his only student for the whole summer, so I’m definitely going to try my hardest to get into research.
In the fall, Riaz will be returning to Medicine Hat High to graduate from high school, however she will be taking some university classes including Math 31. Riaz says after graduation she plans to attend university in Western Canada and has her eye on the University of British Columbia, a campus she was able to visit in Grade 10.
Riaz had the opportunity to experience post-secondary life when she was accepted into the SHAD Canada program that connects Grade 10 and 11 students with mentors and university level STEAM and entrepreneurship content.
“Lucky enough I got accepted to the UBC campus, in the dorms, learning from professors about business and entrepreneurship,” explains Riaz. “After that experience, I really started thinking about where I’m going to go for university and what I would like to study?
“I was 15, it was my first time moving out and it was a bit scary. But it was really exciting as well.”
Riaz also participated in the Canada-wide Science Fair in Ottawa in May with a project that compared how different AI diagnoses patients by comparing results of local doctors from Medicine Hat.
Riaz says she’s thankful for all the opportunities throughout her high school career that have motivated her to chase her dream of becoming a medical researcher and hopefully discovering a breakthrough that could lead to saving someone’s life.
Riaz encourages all youth to, “Speak up for yourself and make your opportunities for yourself as well, that’s something I’ve learned a lot.”
Riaz will be awarded $3,000 for her summer research at the University of Lethbridge.
