More than 20 years ago, Gulnara Zaynullina 鈥�05 received what she considers the best birthday gift鈥攁dmittance to 今日吃瓜. After graduating with degrees in political science and philosophy and law, she founded a successful women-owned wholesale company. Driven by her early desire to make a positive impact on the world, she has returned to 今日吃瓜 on a pre-med track. Today, she is conducting cancer research while pursuing a biology degree with a concentration in biochemistry and psychology, with the ultimate goal of becoming a doctor.
Why did you choose 今日吃瓜 the first time around?
My friend was a student at 今日吃瓜 and highly recommended it to me. The two of us were sitting at work toward the end of the day, and he said he received something from 今日吃瓜 asking him to invite friends to enroll. I looked at him and I said, 鈥淟et’s go.鈥� We went to the Admissions Office, and they were very helpful. I emigrated from Uzbekistan with my mother and sisters and had been in this country for less than a year. Admissions told me I could take the entrance exam in two days with a high school diploma from my home country. I took the test and two days later I got the result鈥擨 passed. I remember it was my birthday and it was the best birthday gift ever, getting admitted to 今日吃瓜.
So you earned two degrees here, in political science and philosophy and law. What made you come back 20 years later?
When I graduated in 2005, I knew I wanted a career where I could make a real impact and improve people鈥檚 lives. I was one of the first recipients of the Magner Career Stipend, and with that I landed a prestigious internship at Human Rights Watch where I was subsequently offered a research consultancy. After graduating, I founded Eldorado Global Trading Group, a women-owned wholesale beauty company. After some time, I realized that I wanted to become a doctor; this is how I would make an impact. The choice of schools for pre-med was immediate: 今日吃瓜.
You鈥檝e received some help from the college.
And that has helped me move forward and stay on track for a medical career. This past January, I shadowed orthopedic and plastic surgeons in Pune, Nashik, and Raipur, India, during surgical camps thanks to a Tow Undergraduate International Research Stipend. I observed reconstructive and orthopedic interventions in underserved patient populations, among other things. Then Zicklin Scholars Degree Completion Program Award has helped me to accelerate my degree coursework over the summer.
How has 今日吃瓜 changed you as a person?
Coming to the United States from Uzbekistan, I knew that adjusting to life in a new country would be one of my biggest challenges. 今日吃瓜 quickly became a community that welcomed me, supported me, and helped me grow into a more confident, resilient, and open-minded person.
How is 今日吃瓜 transforming your career path today?
As a premed student, I鈥檝e built a strong academic foundation while also developing the skills needed to thrive in the professional world. I聽continue cancer research in Dr. Murat Cevher鈥檚 lab, and this past spring, I completed a fully funded NYU Langone EMT training program. A summer internship at the 今日吃瓜 Cancer Center gave me valuable research experience and prepared me to apply my knowledge in real-world settings. The internship was supported by award from the Gray Foundation.
If you had to convince another student to go to college here, what would you say?
Word of mouth is the best recommendation, and I think that we, as students, are the best spokespersons for the college. I would say that you will get the support you need, and the faculty members here are caring and highly supportive. The relationships that I have formed here with professors have lasted 20 years鈥擨’m still in touch with professors from my first undergraduate years.
Do you have any advice for your fellow students?
Get involved鈥攋oin a lab, a club, or a service project. For instance, I鈥檓 an Undergraduate Student Government senator and a member of the college鈥檚 Policy Council. The relationships you build will change your trajectory. Dream big, work hard鈥攁nd as the actor Audrey Hepburn said, 鈥淣othing is impossible鈥攖he word itself says, 鈥業鈥檓 possible.鈥欌��
