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» Home » Student Profiles » Houssam El-Hariri

Tuum Est!

Graduation 2020

This spring, students graduate from a wide range of Faculty of Medicine programs.

Meet the Class of 2020

Houssam El-Hariri

By dcc2012 | May 21, 2020

Hometown: Surrey, B.C.
Program: Biomedical Engineering
What attracted you to your field?

I always knew I wanted to pursue a science-focused career. My favorite subjects have always been math, sciences, and anything related to computers. When I was graduating from high school, I had many options and it was difficult to decide which program I wanted to pursue. I ended up choosing biomedical engineering as I felt this field satisfied my curiosity for science, while simultaneously giving me the opportunity to create inventions that could have a direct positive impact on many people’s lives.

What is your favourite moment from your time at UBC?

I really enjoyed having brunches after early morning classes with my Engineers in Scrubs classmates.

As you look ahead, what (or who) inspires you?

One of my strongest motivators is the feeling of gratification that comes from solving a challenging problem, especially if it involves helping people and sharing that knowledge. I am also inspired by the overwhelming creativity I encounter while reading academic literature.

What is one small pleasure that brings you joy?

A small pleasure I enjoy is playing with my kitten Leo!

What do you hope will change as a result of COVID-19?

I hope governments will become more proactive in preparing for future outbreaks by having contingency plans in place for isolating the disease and being more prepared for the economic fallout. By being prepared, governments can act faster and share information in a more timely manner.

As a scientist and engineer, I believe that technology can play a major role in helping to fight and prevent future outbreaks, and I hope that research in technologies such as vaccines, automation, and ethical monitoring equipment is accelerated by investments.

Additionally, the lockdown has positively impacted the environment by reducing carbon emissions, and I hope that this positive trend continues. Finally, I hope we will be better prepared for toilet paper shortages in the future.

Faculty of Medicine
317 - 2194 Health Sciences Mall
Vancouver, BC Canada V6T 1Z3
Tel 604 822 2421
Website www.med.ubc.ca
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