AmeriCorps Member Faduma Hussein Joins ISB as Public Health Ambassador Coordinator

isbscience.org/news/2024/11/13/americorps-member-faduma-hussein-joins-isb-as-public-health-ambassador-coordinator/

Faduma Hussein is the newest AmeriCorps member to join ISB.

Faduma Hussein recently joined the ISB Education team as the Public Health Ambassador Coordinator, becoming only the fourth AmeriCorps member to serve at ISB. In this Q&A, she shares insights into her education, what drew her to ISB, career aspirations, and more.

Please read on and get to know Faduma Hussein.

ISB: How long have you been in the AmeriCorps?

Faduma Hussein: I did a summer service term before I started my degree, but this is my first full year as a member.

ISB: What attracted you to ISB?

FH: After reading the posting for this position, I became interested in systems biology and the research being conducted here. I hadn’t heard much about ISB so I explored the website and read more about the Systems Education Experiences program. 

ISB: What projects are you working on (or will you be working on)?

FH: Currently, I’m guiding students to improve their leadership skills for the Fall 2024 cohort LEADS program for ambassadors. In addition, I’m learning more about the available programs and content. I’m reading through the lessons in the four-module, 180-hour Systems Medicine course taught in Washington state high schools. 

I am also viewing previous student projects, which has led me to brainstorm ideas for a new project that connects my interests with students’ interests. I’m passionate about biology, public health education, and health equity so I would like to center my project around those topics. I want to create a micro-course that would inspire students to improve the health of their community from a systems-thinking viewpoint. 

ISB: What do you hope to accomplish in your time here?

FH: I plan to help high school students develop their systems thinking skills and how they can utilize those skills to improve the overall health of their communities. I aspire to show students the impactful work being accomplished at ISB and how they can start the journey to becoming STEM leaders.

ISB: What is your education trajectory? 

FH: I graduated with my bachelor’s degree and wanted to build my experience before taking my next steps. I wish to continue my education so I’m looking into graduate programs that are relevant to my path.

ISB: What are your career aspirations? 

FH: I’ve always been interested in health and human biology. I want to work with health information on the collection and analytic side to improve health outcomes. 

ISB: What do you do when you’re not working?

FH: I like to read, swim, and spend time with my family. My family is spread out location-wise (Asia, Europe, North America) so I try to visit them whenever possible. 

ISB: What is the last book you read? 

FH: I like to read anything that I want to learn more about. It can be fiction or nonfiction. Most of the time, I’m drawn to topics such as health, technology, mysteries, and thrillers. While I read for fun, I try to look for books that stimulate my brain and leave an impact.  

ISB: What special skill would people be surprised to learn about you?

FH: Something surprising about me is that I’m an above-average swimmer. I first took up swimming as a child and later regained interest. I think I averaged more than 1,500 meters before hitting the half-hour mark. I was surprised how quickly everything came back to me. I still remembered all of the techniques despite the gap.