Nadia Higgins

This month I had the chance to ask the UTSA Chapter President a few questions, meet Nadia:

Year: Junior

Major: Biochemistry (Pre-Pharmacy)

Involvements (in and outside of school):
Pre-Pharmacy Student Organization
Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
Interprofessional Health Society

Why did you decide to go into stem?
I chose to go into STEM because I’m enamored with the concepts of discovery, innovation, and collaboration. Science has the unique ability to bring all people together, working towards one goal of progress. Science brings us closer to the world around us while also bringing us closer to each other.

What are your plans for the future?
I plan to attend pharmacy school and graduate with a PharmD degree to either be a pharmacist or a pharmaceutical researcher. I would eventually like to “retire” from whatever career I find myself so that I can move to teaching pharmacy. Contributing to the next generation of scientists is one of the most important responsibilities we have as scientists.

Why did you decide to form a WSS chapter at your university?
I have always felt a sense of isolation in my STEM classes as a woman. In my first semester of college, I sat in a classroom of about 50 students, in which I was the only girl. That class made me absolutely miserable - I was treated by my classmates like I was incapable. I never want another girl to feel the way I did in that class, which is why I want to help to spread the message that any person can succeed in any field that they desire.

What do you hope to accomplish with your new WSS chapter this year?
My main goal is to provide a sense of community at UTSA for any girl who is passionate about the STEM fields. Providing resources, giving experiences, educating about opportunities, and showing support are how we plan to show women in STEM at UTSA that they are capable.

What kind of impact do you hope to make for the future of WSS at your university?
I hope to show the members of WSS at UTSA the importance of collaboration in the sciences. Without effective teamwork and communication, we as humans cannot utilize the discoveries made in science to progress. Each discipline provides invaluable work that fits together like a puzzle, so it is important to respect each other and work together for the betterment of humanity.