Roux biotechnology grad found her passion in Maine’s labs

When Samira Ahmed was getting ready to graduate from the University of Southern Maine with her bachelor’s degree in human biology in 2021, she wasn’t sure what was next. She was bouncing around ideas about graduate school but wasn’t feeling particularly inspired by any of her options. Ahmed knew she wanted to stay close to home in Portland while continuing her studies in biology. Fortunately, it was around this time that she began hearing about the Roux Institute at Northeastern University, offering specialized graduate programs in advanced life science and technology. Her interest was piqued. 

Ahmed, who moved to Maine when she was seven and graduated from Casco Bay High School, enrolled at the Roux Institute that fall and began studying for a master’s degree in biotechnology. With a mixture of online and in-person classes that were held during evening hours, Ahmed was able to balance her studies with a full-time job.  

Ahmed enjoyed her classes in molecular cell biology and protein chemistry, but she was especially inspired by her classes that examined the ethics within biology, where class discussions delved into ethics in research, lab safety, quality assurance, and more. “Biology can be applied to medicine and diagnostics in a lot of different ways,” Ahmed explains. “So, when it comes to the ethics of that, it’s important that people aren’t being taken advantage of.” 

In her Biotechnology Applications Laboratory class, Ahmed was able to gain some real-world insight into advanced lab techniques at some of Maine’s most prominent research institutes: Jackson Laboratory, Bigelow Laboratory, and MDI Biological Laboratory. During on-site classes at the labs, Ahmed got hands-on experience with some of the most cutting-edge lab instruments and got to work on things like sample preparation, protein analysis, and different bioinformatic approaches. “When I saw how the Roux Institute fit into the ecosystem of the life sciences in Maine, and the connections they had with the different labs, I knew I had made the right decision,” Ahmed says.  

Her advice for future Roux students? Build strong connections with your professors. Ahmed found she was most engaged during her on-campus, in-person classes, where she felt she could truly connect with her professors, who helped guide her toward her passions.  

After graduation, Ahmed plans to keep pursuing her interest in biology. She’s currently in the process of applying for a co-op, a unique opportunity within the Northeastern learning model that places students in professional environments as part of their studies. After that, she’ll look for a job within the regulatory aspect of the life sciences. She’s not entirely sure what her future holds yet, but she knows she wants to stay in Maine, where she finds peace in the slow-paced, natural beauty of Portland. When she’s not busy with her studies or work, you might find her reading a book on the Eastern Promenade, overlooking Casco Bay.