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Latifah Maasarani, optics and photonics alumna, received the Astronaut Scholarship while at UCF. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in biomedical engineering at Duke University. In the future, Latifah hopes to start up a biotech company that will work to develop wearable diagnostic devices, helping to monitor the health and safety of astronauts while in space.

What advice do you have for others interested in following down a similar path? 

My advice to anyone interested in following a similar path is to not get so caught up in feeling that you are not 100% qualified for something that you do not end up applying. It is easy to see greatness in others, but it is hard to believe that we hold the same greatness inside ourselves. This is a feeling I often struggle with. However, I found that no matter how inadequate I may have felt before applying, the best opportunities I experienced came from moments when I took a chance on myself and did it anyway. I advise that you trust in the process, take the leap, and apply for scholarships, graduate schools, jobs, etc., even when your mind is telling you there is no way you are enough to win. It is not only in winning that we learn. I applied for many opportunities that I did not get, but from each of those experiences, I gained valuable tools that helped me succeed in future opportunities. Every application or interview you complete will improve your grammar, storytelling, public speaking, and your nonverbal communication skills. These skills are not only critical for successful applications and interviews but for every aspect of your life. Do not allow yourself to miss out on great opportunities for growth because you told yourself you were not qualified.

What research and internship experiences did you have while at UCF?

Before beginning my studies at UCF, I participated in an Applied Physics National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates (NSF REU) at the University of South Florida. At USF, I conducted applied optics research in complex-field imaging. Upon entering UCF in Fall 2016, I immediately pursued a leadership position in the undergraduate student organization called the Society of Optics Students (SOS) at CREOL, the College of Optics and Photonics. I was president of SOS for two consecutive years.

During Summer 2017, I participated in a second NSF REU in Physics at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV). At UTRGV, I conducted research with Dr. Mario Diaz developing a custom platform for automating synchronous movement between an astronomical telescope and the dome motor.

After completing my second REU, I returned to UCF in Fall 2018 and began working on research at CREOL in Dr. Ryan Gelfand’s NanoBioPhotonics Lab. During my time with Dr. Gelfand, I worked on developing a nanofabrication technique for optical traps, which has applications in Alzheimer’s and cancer research.

In 2019, I began a year-long internship with MKS Instruments’ optics division, known as Newport. At Newport, I was a technical marketing intern and was responsible for creating and updating technical content used in marketing materials.

In Spring 2019, I was awarded UCF’s most prestigious student award, the Order of Pegasus. After graduating with honors from UCF in Spring 2019, I began my Ph.D. studies at Duke University in Fall 2019.

At Duke, I am pursuing a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering under the advisement of Dr. Adam Wax. My research will focus on developing quantitative phase imaging technologies for early detection of cancer.

What is something that you enjoy outside of academics?

My current favorite movie is the 2019 film Little Women. I loved this film because it showcases many of the challenges and frustrations women faced when wanting to have a career in the 1800s. The perseverance that Jo March demonstrates throughout the story inspires me to never give up on my dreams. I believe remembering the struggles of the women before me is important, so that I always value and appreciate the opportunities I have now.

What is your long-term goal, and how has the Astronaut Scholarship helped you toward those goals?

My long-term goal is to start a biotech company. I think that developing wearable diagnostic devices for astronauts would be an incredible undertaking. I firmly believe that providing ways to monitor their health as well as providing tools to eradicate minor health issues when they arise is critical for prolonged time in space. As I continue to learn about entrepreneurship through conferences and university workshops, I am discovering that successful entrepreneurs commercialize a product or idea that provides a direct solution to a critical problem. Therefore, I hope that in the future I can convince the appropriate entities of the necessity of wearable technologies for astronauts to start my company. However, regardless of that outcome, I still see myself starting a biotech company to provide diagnostic and/or preventative solutions to medical ailments.

The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF) as well as the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation (JKCF) have supported me toward these goals by providing me access to communities of outstanding, like-minded people. The ASF and JKCF scholars are some of the brightest, most talented, and inspiring people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Whenever we get together, the conversations are centered around personal growth, mental wellness, and impacting global issues. The discussions stimulate creativity and ingenuity toward determining how we can individually and collectively create change in the world. Attending ASF’s Innovator’s Gala and JKCF’s Scholars Weekend are honestly times I can say I took huge leaps in personal growth and came home full of energy to get back to working towards my long-term goals.