Taking the leap
Surovi Binte Sharmin Mohona recently completed her undergraduate education from North South University in Pharmaceutical Sciences. She was selected for a five-year PhD fellowship at Loyola University, Chicago, USA, soon after she finished her undergraduate thesis.
During her years as an undergraduate student, Mohona worked for several organisations, including GradConnect, a Dhaka-based educational consultant agency and BYLC Graduate Network, an alumni association of Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center (BYLC). She also did volunteer work for BYLC from time to time. Currently a host at Radio Dhol 94.0 FM, Mohona believes that having multiple jobs has helped her explore different professional environments and learn many crucial skills along the way.
"I started planning everything nearly a year ago," Mohana says about her pursuit of a doctoral degree. "I was always interested in research. I believe Bangladesh is quite restricted in that regard, and we need to explore many more dimensions of research-based academics."
In preparation for her PhD, Mohana appeared for the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) to qualify for the admission and also provide a proof of her language proficiency with the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). However, if someone solely wants to apply to universities in the USA, she recommends that they take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
Mohona is a firm believer in taking risks, setting goals and working hard. "I do not know what the USA has in store for me, but I chose to take this risk because I believe that risks teach you the greatest life lessons," she says.
Furthermore, Mohona wants to pursue a career in academia. "Once I successfully complete my PhD, I plan to work towards bridging the gap between academic research and industrial research in the pharmaceutical industry of Bangladesh. I also want to open an animal welfare organisation," she adds. Mohona will soon fly to Chicago for her PhD on Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics.
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