“One of my life missions is to work with women and encourage them to work in STEM,” said Zainab Badejo, one of Learning Undefeated’s interns for the Emerging Leaders in Biotechnology program. Badejo is one of three Emerging Leaders alumnae mentors, who returned to Learning Undefeated this year to help run the fourth student cohort of the deep-impact talent accelerator program.
Launched in 2021, Learning Undefeated’s Emerging Leaders in STEM program connects high school and college women with female STEM professionals to build career readiness and networking skills. Through this rigorous, hybrid learning experience, students meet STEM professionals from a diverse set of backgrounds, learn advanced techniques using professional laboratory equipment, build career readiness and networking skills, and develop friendships that will support their journey in STEM.
For Badejo, the relationships formed in the program have been most beneficial for her career trajectory. After feeling inspired by the guest speaker portion of the program, she reached out to an NIH director who spoke to her cohort. “She inspired me to apply to jobs in biotech, land my first job in the field, and helped me revamp my resume while I studied for the MCAT,” said Badejo.
Her goal in life is to empower young girls in developing countries and help them pursue their dreams. “By becoming a physician and working to make access to healthcare easier and affordable, I believe I can heal not only bodies and minds but also communities by creating a better society for marginalized people,” she said. Badejo received her B.A. in molecular biology with a minor in International Relations and Chinese from Townson University.
If you are interested in learning more about Learning Undefeated’s Emerging Leaders program, please visit https://www.learningundefeated.org/emerging-leaders-in-biotechnology/.
