|
Our Community Girl Chosen to be Valedictorian in USA |
|
Samira Merali, daughter of Dr. Jamil Merali and Dr. Mrs. Merali did us proud once again. Studying at the oldest and most renowned Pharmacy School in the United States, it was no small feat to graduate top of the entire class of 2007. University of the Sciences is lovingly dubbed the 'Harvard' of Pharmacy and the workload is strenuous to put it mildly.
Samira graduated Summa Cum Laude – the highest possible honours a graduate earns, and in addition, won several awards upon graduation: the Alumni Association award for Pharmacology and Toxicology, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees award, the Ortho-McNeil Janssen award for excellence and the Women's Club Past President's Memorial Prize.
Samira began her pharmacy career at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia in 2003 after attaining the highest merit scholarship the school awards. Following that, she received a leadership award every year after she demonstrated her fine leadership skills as being on the executive board of the Student Government by serving as its Vice president for three years. She added to it the Cilffe's award in chemistry, an award given to a student with the highest performance in chemistry at the University.
Adding to that, Samira won the Rho Chi award for being the student with the Highest Grade Point Average at the end of her Second year.
Starting out as a pharmacy major, Samira added a second degree to her career choice – a Bachelors degree in Pharmacology and Toxicology. For three years, she handled two course loads after unheeded warnings from advisors and deans – that it was too hard to handle. She graduated in May of 2007 with her Bachelors in Pharmacology and Toxicology top of her class and is now pursuing her Doctor of Pharmacy with her anticipated graduation date set as 2009.
Throughout her college career so far, she has worked hard and played hard. Samira taught chemistry, biology and math to hundreds of students both as a tutor and supplemental instructor. She added to her professional experience by performing laboratory research, working in a pharmacy and the top cardiology hospital in Philadelphia. She is now working as an cardiology clinical research Intern at Glaxosmithkline, a highly regarded pharmaceutical industry where hundreds of pharmacy students apply each year and 2 students get in.
She has enjoyed being a student to the fullest – while learning archery and rifle shooting as well as representing her school in pharmacy oriented contests where she does exemplarily. She attributes all her successes to her family and her community as quoted from the valedictory message she made in front of thousands on May 23rd upon graduation:
"… I stand here today because of my family and my community's faith in me. Throughout my years at USP, I have always felt the support from the people back home and for that I am very thankful. I wouldn't be standing here today if it weren't for their prayers…"
Samira did her schooling in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania at Almuntazir Junior School and Aga Khan Mzizima Secondary School.
She would be happy to guide anybody wanting to pursue a career in Pharmacy in USA. |
