About Me
“Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.” This is my favorite quote by Carl Sagan because it describes my passion for science ever since high school. I have always been inquisitive when it comes to questioning known science concepts; this curiosity is what led me into the research field. As a kid, I have always wondered how our brain, which controls the human body functions, doesn’t really understand its own functions. The deeper I got into understanding science, the more intrigued I became, to understand the different concepts of human function from the cellular level to the molecular level. This passion and curiosity in science lead me to participate in many scientific events back in India where I grew up. As a result of my unwavering drive towards the field of science, I was awarded the Science Secretary position in 9th and 10th grade.
My journey to the USA for education has been very challenging. I have always wanted to be a part of a high-level scientific team where I can learn and develop research skills. In April 2014, I finished my bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy from Osmania University, during which I developed an interest in becoming a scientific researcher.
As the first person in my family to pursue a career in science, I was motivated to overcome these challenges and apply to universities in the US. This led to my acceptance into the Master’s program in Pharmacology and Toxicology at Long Island University (LIU). The fast-paced, around-the-clock lifestyle of New York City was very overwhelming for me, but I was motivated to thrive. My first semester was affected because of the challenges I faced in surviving alone in a new country and culture. But as it is said about New York, “if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere.” Indeed, I survived and pursued my dream to do research.
Education
2020-Present
Ph.D. in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology
The City University of New York
New York, USA
2018
M.S. in Pharmacology and Toxicology
Long Island University
Brooklyn, NY, USA
2014
B.S. in Pharmacy
Osmania University
Hyderabad, India
Awards and Achievements
2024
TUFCCC/HC SPEECH
U54 Grant Award
Doctoral Student Research Grant (DSRG)
2022
Early Research Initiative Pre-dissertation Science Research Award (CUNY)
Doctoral Student Research Grant (DSRG)
2020
2019
2015
Performed multi-temp X-ray crystallography at Diamond Light Source (I-24 beamline), Didcot, Oxfordshire, UK.
2006-2008
Graduate Scholar Award from Long Island University.
Overseas Scholarship Award from Telangana Government, India.
Awarded Science Secretary position in High School
Hyderabad, India
2018
Performed X-ray Crystallography at Brookhaven National Laboratory (NSLS-II), Shirley, New York, USA.
Science Scholarship Award
City University of New York (CUNY)
Workshops
Syeda Maryam Azeem
Hunter College - The City Univerisity of New York
Belfer Research Building
413 69th Street, New York, NY 10021
Email: sazeem@gc.cuny.edu

