From UAE to Cambodia: Equitech Scholar's journey in the intersection of STEM and social impact

By Anodya Mishra

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Magdalena Bak is a graduate from NYU Abu Dhabi, and an alumni from the Equitech Scholars Program, 2024. She pursued her bachelors degree in bioengineering, a field she chose due to her early interest in medicine and a desire to explore beyond traditional medical studies. During high school, Magdalena was captivated by the potential of technology in medicine, leading her to take a leap into the relatively new bioengineering program at NYU Abu Dhabi. This decision allowed her to gain hands-on experience and immerse herself in research. Her summer research in Italy on HPV infections further solidified her passion for large-scale projects that could reach and help more people.

Throughout her undergraduate years, Magdalena remained open to exploring various fields. She interned with a fintech startup, where she discovered the fast-paced, knowledge-intensive environment of startups. However, her heart remained with health-related initiatives, leading her to participate in student-run initiatives like the iGEM (International Genetically Engineered Machine) competition in synthetic biology. Additionally, she was selected for an Excellerator program by Global BioTech Revolution, which took her to Cambridge University for workshops on leveraging academic research in the biotech industry. These experiences connected her with professionals from academia, pharma, industry, and consulting, broadening her perspective on the applications of biotechnology.

Magdalena’s journey continued with her participation in the Equitech Scholars Program in 2024. During the program, she honed her skills in applied AI, working on a machine learning project aimed at predicting the onset of Alzheimer’s disease using cognitive test results and demographic data. “I had come into the program with the aim of improving my coding skills, but through the Applied AI class, I realized that while coding skills are still extremely important, there already exist tools and machines which can do this task. The true challenge lies in connecting the dots, challenging biases, and understanding the ethical implications of AI in society.”

Following her time with Equitech Futures, Magdalena embarked on a Princeton in Asia fellowship in Cambodia. Having traveled in South Asia earlier, she was eager to stay in the region and contribute to the community. Magdalena is going to spend the next ten months working with Liger Leadership Academy, a school in Phnom Penh, where she is mentoring students in project-based learning environments. She is teaching coding to her students, and has found the experience incredibly rewarding, especially when her students discover that coding could be fun and accessible. “I am using interactive and immersive methods through a platform called Imagi to make the classroom pedagogy more interesting.” 

Magdalena’s passion for teaching and mentoring extended beyond her professional roles. During her time in the UAE, she volunteered to teach English to migrant women from Syria and other countries, helping them improve their language skills through online classes. She also organized conferences for high school students as part of the weSTEM (Women Empowered in STEM) group at NYU Abu Dhabi, a community that provided her with crucial support in her early years and later became an avenue for her to empower others.

Reflecting on her journey, Magdalena emphasizes the importance of being open to new experiences. She advises future Equitech scholars to approach the program, and life in general, with a willingness to try new things and embrace the unexpected. Magdalena’s journey from NYU Abu Dhabi to Equitech Futures and beyond is a testament to the power of curiosity, resilience, and a commitment to making a positive impact in the world.