How Jamila chased her 'forbidden dream' from Dubai to Orange
By Jamila, microbiologist at Soil Carbon Co.
As a young girl I loved flipping through my dad’s notebooks, filled with scribbled physics equations and formulas.
My dad went into business rather than pursuing his passion, but hoped his children would one day study science or medicine.
Since then, I’ve been fascinated by science. For a girl who had a strict upbringing, with a small window of possibilities, it was a forbidden dream.
But I set myself a huge challenge from early on, determined to be an example for girls raised in similar ideologies. I wanted to break down stigma and barriers to inspire other young women to achieve more than what society chose for them.
As a teenager raised in the Middle East, I learnt about crises happening in the region — from humanitarian to environmental — which only fuelled my ambition and drove my determination to make a difference.
I had to defy the norms that were embedded by our ancestors and I decided to choose a “radical or revolutionary” pathway.
So I became the first person of my generation in my family to go to university. I obtained a bachelor’s degree in molecular genetics in Dubai; a privilege for a girl that is as rare as Painite gemstone.
When I graduated, I worked in the medical sales industry. It only took five months to realise it wasn’t the path for me. One day, I resigned on the spot. I knew there was something more, that I had to keep going and work harder.
Australia seemed to be a place where many possibilities could become reality, so I moved to Canberra to study a Masters in advanced biotechnology at the Australian National University.
After that, I decided to stay and took up a job at Soil Carbon Co’s research and development facility in Orange.
Soil Carbon Co. is developing a microbial seed coating for crops, which supercharges plants’ natural ability to remove carbon from the atmosphere. These microbes also boost productivity and fertility on farmland.
We work with a sense of autonomy, and everyone gets to try their hand at anything they’re interested in. At Soil Carbon Co’s lab I work on developing different bio-assays with other scientists to determine the effect of fungi on crop plants.
I also induce different stress environments to understand the effect on the fungi’s patterns and growth. My next step for these fungi is to understand them at molecular level by extracting and sequencing their DNA.
I believe that you need to practise what you preach, and I am doing that through this meaningful work. Every day, I get to see the results of ideas and science in action.
Now, I am a part of a larger puzzle with like-minded people, who share my passion for the environment. And I know there are many opportunities I have yet to discover.
Tabark Allah..I m proud of you sweet daughter.
The success you have achieved today is By the grace of Allah Almighty and by the cost you paid for the hard work, which we are hourning today.
Bearing in mind that the firm society & culture which we belong to , I never stopped you from dreaming big. Our prayers & support are always with you.
I wish you the strength to face challenges with confidence along with the wisdom to choose your path carefully . May you always stop to help someone along the way 🙏