Farina Shaaban’s studies at UCR have focused on the pre-medical program and economics. She further deepened her studies with course work in ethics, epidemiology, statistics, and law. The combination she built prepared her for her research in disease management programs in poor-income countries, where continuous medical supervision is highly limited. Her work has been of the highest level and, after summer, Farina will continue her studies at Oxford University.
Farina stands out for her engagement in UCR’s social and political life. She was an internal officer and mentor for our Academic Affairs Council and a member of UCR Council, UCR’s main co-governance body. Farina also chaired the Board of UCR’s peer-reviewed journal for undergraduate research, Ad Astra. And she chaired the board of the open-access pre-medical journal for Dutch University Colleges; Science of the Human Body. Farina was a floor elder in one of UCR’s student residences, a mensa volunteer at Common House Elliott, and last but not least, the chairperson of the Christmas market.
We are proud to have Farina Shaaban as valedictorian this year. We wish her and the entire Class of 2020 a wonderful graduation.
The Dean grants the honor of being the valedictorian on the student who most remarkably combines summa cum laude academic results with strong contributions to UCR’s social and academic community. RASA, UCR’s student association, advises the Dean on the candidates’ contributions to UCR’s social life.