Help fund Najib's PhD on Brain Cancer
Donation protected
My story in brief
My name is Najib Abualetham from Ramallah, Palestine, and I am seeking to fund my PhD studies in brain tumor research in the UK.
I completed my Bachelor of Pharmacy in 2010 from the University of Jordan and my Masters in Clinical Pharmacology from the University of Glasgow in 2015. I currently work in a local pharmaceutical company in Ramallah. I am passionate about and committed to continuing my studies in the field of brain cancer research. I have applied to multiple programs and scholarships every year for the past six years; I have received PhD offers at prestigious universities in both the US and UK, including Georgetown University, University of Pennsylvania, Queen Mary University of London, and the Universities of Edinburgh, Birmingham, Manchester, and Glasgow.
Every year I have had to decline the offers, or the offers were withdrawn, because of funding issues, which is even more difficult to secure because of my status as an international student, exacerbated by the political situation and, now, the pandemic. The one year that I was awarded a scholarship to study in the UK, it was withdrawn because of a technicality.
This year I have received another offer to do PhD research at the University of Edinburgh (Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine). Unless I am able to secure funding, I will have to reject the offer once again. I believe that I must and should conduct this research, and I am now asking for your help. I am not willing to waste yet another year.
Growing up in Palestine was particularly challenging, not only because of the political situation, but also because I grew up with progressive hearing loss. This shrouded me in isolation and stereotypes that I’ve always had to prove wrong; my abilities and credentials were often questioned, I struggled to fit in, and I had to work twice as hard as anyone else to achieve my dreams. Challenges and pressures ranged from laughing off questions I didn’t hear, to feeling ashamed of wearing hearing aids in public.
On a personal level, my hearing loss made understanding and alleviating difficult questions a central motivation in my life. Thus, advancing my education and pursuing my passion embodies my struggles, and the path to finding answers for so many seemingly lost questions. I knew at a young age that I wanted to study and pursue science, not only to understand my own turmoil and anatomy, but also to assuage the pain that permeated my environment.
Why is my research important?
Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is a type of brain tumor that has an aggressive behavior and is considered one of the most common cancers of the brain. My research has the potential to break new ground in understanding brain cancer and developing new therapies. More specifically, it aims to study one plausible way of chemotherapeutic resistance, and investigate anti-cancers in preclinical models, which could be a precursor for more validated research and knowledge on this type of cancer.
This is particularly important in Palestine, where brain tumors are often overlooked and research is nonexistent. With this PhD, I will play an active role in advancing the understanding of existing therapies, establishing a platform for research and documentation on this topic, and push forward into more clinical trials that give hope to those affected.
How the money will be spent?
I am looking to fund my tuition fees, laboratory consumables and living expenses for the duration of the studies in Edinburgh. Your contribution will go towards researching this very important, underfunded and crucial topic and will help me achieve my passion being in the academic community as a Palestinian. I am not relying on contributions alone. I will take out loans as necessary, and once I arrive in Edinburgh, I will apply for as many scholarships as possible, and I will also work to support myself. I am willing to work hard to achieve my goals.
Funds for the duration of 3 years are broken into the following:
23,500£ Tuition fees, subject to 5% annual increase.
5,000£ Laboratory consumables.
15,500£ Suggested living stipend as per the offer provided.
I really appreciate any support poured into my campaign to help me get to Edinburgh by March 2021, when the program begins; I feel the love and I will reciprocate in any way possible. I am more than happy to share any more information or documentation you want to know about me, my studies, research, or background.
Note: For those who are wondering about the beneficiary for my fundraiser. Sonia Abuelezam is my mother and she will be handling the funds for me. She will ensure funds will be directed towards tuition fees, laboratory consumables and living expenses during my PhD studies.
My name is Najib Abualetham from Ramallah, Palestine, and I am seeking to fund my PhD studies in brain tumor research in the UK.
I completed my Bachelor of Pharmacy in 2010 from the University of Jordan and my Masters in Clinical Pharmacology from the University of Glasgow in 2015. I currently work in a local pharmaceutical company in Ramallah. I am passionate about and committed to continuing my studies in the field of brain cancer research. I have applied to multiple programs and scholarships every year for the past six years; I have received PhD offers at prestigious universities in both the US and UK, including Georgetown University, University of Pennsylvania, Queen Mary University of London, and the Universities of Edinburgh, Birmingham, Manchester, and Glasgow.
Every year I have had to decline the offers, or the offers were withdrawn, because of funding issues, which is even more difficult to secure because of my status as an international student, exacerbated by the political situation and, now, the pandemic. The one year that I was awarded a scholarship to study in the UK, it was withdrawn because of a technicality.
This year I have received another offer to do PhD research at the University of Edinburgh (Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine). Unless I am able to secure funding, I will have to reject the offer once again. I believe that I must and should conduct this research, and I am now asking for your help. I am not willing to waste yet another year.
Growing up in Palestine was particularly challenging, not only because of the political situation, but also because I grew up with progressive hearing loss. This shrouded me in isolation and stereotypes that I’ve always had to prove wrong; my abilities and credentials were often questioned, I struggled to fit in, and I had to work twice as hard as anyone else to achieve my dreams. Challenges and pressures ranged from laughing off questions I didn’t hear, to feeling ashamed of wearing hearing aids in public.
On a personal level, my hearing loss made understanding and alleviating difficult questions a central motivation in my life. Thus, advancing my education and pursuing my passion embodies my struggles, and the path to finding answers for so many seemingly lost questions. I knew at a young age that I wanted to study and pursue science, not only to understand my own turmoil and anatomy, but also to assuage the pain that permeated my environment.
Why is my research important?
Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is a type of brain tumor that has an aggressive behavior and is considered one of the most common cancers of the brain. My research has the potential to break new ground in understanding brain cancer and developing new therapies. More specifically, it aims to study one plausible way of chemotherapeutic resistance, and investigate anti-cancers in preclinical models, which could be a precursor for more validated research and knowledge on this type of cancer.
This is particularly important in Palestine, where brain tumors are often overlooked and research is nonexistent. With this PhD, I will play an active role in advancing the understanding of existing therapies, establishing a platform for research and documentation on this topic, and push forward into more clinical trials that give hope to those affected.
How the money will be spent?
I am looking to fund my tuition fees, laboratory consumables and living expenses for the duration of the studies in Edinburgh. Your contribution will go towards researching this very important, underfunded and crucial topic and will help me achieve my passion being in the academic community as a Palestinian. I am not relying on contributions alone. I will take out loans as necessary, and once I arrive in Edinburgh, I will apply for as many scholarships as possible, and I will also work to support myself. I am willing to work hard to achieve my goals.
Funds for the duration of 3 years are broken into the following:
23,500£ Tuition fees, subject to 5% annual increase.
5,000£ Laboratory consumables.
15,500£ Suggested living stipend as per the offer provided.
I really appreciate any support poured into my campaign to help me get to Edinburgh by March 2021, when the program begins; I feel the love and I will reciprocate in any way possible. I am more than happy to share any more information or documentation you want to know about me, my studies, research, or background.
Note: For those who are wondering about the beneficiary for my fundraiser. Sonia Abuelezam is my mother and she will be handling the funds for me. She will ensure funds will be directed towards tuition fees, laboratory consumables and living expenses during my PhD studies.
Co-organizers (2)
Najib Abualetham
Organizer
South San Francisco, CA
Sonia Abuelezam
Beneficiary
Sarah El Attar
Co-organizer