Rahma Osman

Navigating the Penn experience can be overwhelming, with challenges related to adjusting, setting goals, and most significantly, finding your true passion. When I started at Penn, I went through a period of adjusting to the workload, making new friends, and discovering where I truly fit in. In regards to research background, I've had a range of experiences that have shaped my academic journey. I started off in a mitochondrial research wet lab, where I contributed to a project on treatments for Down Syndrome. I then tried out literature-based research, putting together a comprehensive review on how environmental toxins affect cortical thickness. Beyond that, I've worn different hats - working as a medical scribe, personal patient navigator, tutoring, and interning at a pharmaceutical company. My journey has been a series of valuable lessons, even when those lessons came from making mistakes. Each experience has shown me the importance of figuring out who you are and where you belong. At Penn, there's an abundance of resources for research opportunities, but finding the right one can be a challenge. That's where we come in as research peer advisors.

If any of my experiences or interests strike a chord with you, or if you're simply curious and want to know more, don't hesitate to get in touch. Your journey of self-discovery and growth is what matters the most, and I'm here to offer insights, share my stories, and help you uncover your own path here at Penn.

Research positions/ programs/ awards: 

• Intern at Novartis Pharmaceuticals
• Falk Mitochondrial Research Lab 
• Short Term Educational Experiences for Research in Environmental Science for Undergraduates
• Sophie Davis Biomedical Pipeline program 
• QuestBridge scholar