A Syrian woman’s passion for science blossoms in the world of biotechnology

Inas sits in her lab, eyes beaming with possibility, and despite her calm demeanor, she truly is a force to be reckoned with.

A Syrian who fled the conflict at a young age, Inas found herself starting anew in Alexandria, Egypt. Being away from home affected her in ways that she was only just beginning to discover.

“It was a tough experience, one that really affected me but also shaped who I am today.”

Inas is one of over 100,000 Syrians who have sought refuge in Egypt. Like Inas, many Syrian refugees fled their homes as children and have grown up in Egypt. With over 1 million registered refugees and asylum-seekers from 63 nationalities, UNHCR Egypt offers legal and protection services, supports refugee students in continuing their education and helps displaced people navigate the labour market.

Adapting to her life in Egypt came with many challenges. Being away from the comfort of the familiar forced Inas to not just adapt but thrive. After finishing her secondary education, she was one of the very first students to receive a full scholarship through DAFI, the Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative. Inas studied molecular biology and chemistry at Alexandria University, graduating with honours – and infinite dreams for her future.

“I always knew I wanted to be a scientist, and I want to make a difference.”

Inas found her calling in the field of neuroscience, specifically biotechnology, a discipline that allows her curious mind to delve into the world of cell growth and explore the power of biology in combatting diseases, especially neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.

“People forced to live through wars and conflict go through unimaginable trauma. It’s one thing to read these experiences online or in a book, but to live through it is profoundly harrowing, with far-reaching impacts that can surface much later in life,” says Inas. “People who manage to escape are considered lucky, but what of their mental state? What happens to those who stay behind?” she wonders.

One year since the fall of the Assad regime, Syrians are grappling with the challenges of rebuilding and healing. While Inas longs for the reconstruction of her country, she worries for the mental health of her people.

Inas is adamant – there is a need to not just prioritise and destigmatise mental health in the Arab world, but an even more pressing need to rely on available resources instead of imported medicine. It is with this conviction that she realised how much her childhood left a remarkable imprint on her passion for science.

Growing up, she witnessed first-hand how Alzheimer’s is a web that impacts the lives of both patients and their caregivers; a memory that would serve as a catalyst for her pursuing biotechnology. With an ode to home, her research led her to the Gardenia flower, one that grows in the cold winters of Damascus, particularly in her grandfather’s house where many of her fondest childhood memories were formed. The active ingredients of the flower, once extracted, have been proven to have preventative effects in curbing neurodegenerative disease. Having recently completed her thesis defense, Inas’ passion only grows as she embarks on her post-doctoral degree.

This International Day of Education, we’re highlighting why access to education matters for refugees – not just in the classroom, but for life. Inas’ curious mind has led her to break barriers in her field and encouraged an entire generation to follow their dreams. She is a beacon of hope for refugees persevering in the face of adversity.

—

The DAFI scholarship programme offers qualified refugee students the possibility to earn an undergraduate degree in their country of asylum. It is funded by the Government of Germany, Denmark and other private partners and foundations. Managed by UNHCR, the programme has supported over 27, 200 refugees to undertake tertiary studies since 1992.

To learn more about UNHCR’s work in Egypt and Syria, visit the Operational Data Portal.