Think, Ask, Solve, Repeat
Blog by Saba Saidi, E’21, a bioengineering and biochemistry student.
Learning through experiments was one of my favorite parts of seventh-grade science. Whether it was from running Eggsperiments or learning about blood types, each answer prompted the search for another. Each question is a reminder of all there is to know and understand about the world. I live in a constant state of gratitude that I will never run out of things to learn. This quest for understanding specifically the way humans work, don’t work, and start working again has been what drew me to the field of bioengineering and its overlap with medicine. I hope to be a part of the quest to search for the questions and answers to our being and work towards applying it to making an impact on the lives of others.
As a bioengineering student, I’ve been able to study the answers to many of the questions I had about our biology. Whether it be through calculating the membrane potential of a cell in Quantitative Physiology, inspecting cells under the microscope in Bioengineering Measurement, Experimentation, and Statistics, or modeling the strain on a femur in Biomechanics, I’ve added to my pile of answers. Unsurprisingly, I’ve added to my pile of questions as well. This growth of both piles has been a theme outside of the classroom and into my co-ops.
Saba Saidi, E’21, bioengineering and biochemistry, had a co-op at Glyde Bio Inc, a small biotech start-up, working to develop a cancer vaccine that targets the abnormal glycocalyx of certain cancers.
Currently, I am working at Glyde Bio Inc, a small biotech start-up, working to develop a cancer vaccine that targets the abnormal glycocalyx of certain cancers. Now, I’m planning and running experiments just as I was in seventh grade. Our bandwidth is small but my colleagues and I have a passion for the science we are developing. Every day, we ask ourselves “What answers have we gained from this experiment?” and “Which questions are we trying to answer with the next experiment?” Over the last 4 months, I’ve found these questions to be a constant reminder of why I love bioengineering so much–the ability to learn from your work, adjust moving forward and always be trying to find solutions. I am motivated to come into work every day (or log onto my laptop on those WFH days) to help those patients that may be suffering from cancer. I plan to use my growth as a scientist throughout my work at Glyde Bio Inc. to keep seeking the answers to research questions and developing ways to help my future patients.
Much of the fulfillment I have gotten out of my endeavors at Glyde can be attributed to my experiences and opportunities in the Bioengineering program at Northeastern. I’ve learned a wide breadth of topics relating to medicine and the solutions to many of its problems–all of which have in some way fit into my journey as a bioengineer attempting to drive the solutions to many of the issues plaguing human health. I’ve been taught by some of the brightest scientists in the field. Through looking up to them, I have garnered confidence in my ability to think critically, ask questions, seek the solution, and repeat.