Salma Awwad
Los Angeles,CA
Summary
Driven by a passion for innovation in healthcare and social justice, I spearheaded groundbreaking research at Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC, enhancing AI's role in dental diagnostics. My leadership in founding MissionMed showcases my project management and community outreach skills, demonstrating a commitment to global health equity and collaborative advancement.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
Work History
Research Assistant
Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC
Los Angeles, CA
09.2023 - Current
- Conducting research on the diagnostic accuracy of MyTMJ, an AI-driven application designed to assess temporomandibular disorders (TMD), comparing its results with clinical diagnoses made by board-certified orofacial pain specialists.
- Analyzing TMJ-related cases to evaluate the precision, reliability, and potential clinical applications of AI in dental diagnostics.
- Performing statistical analyses, including proportion z-tests, to assess MyTMJ’s accuracy relative to a hypothesized benchmark.
- Compiling research findings into a manuscript currently in the publication process, highlighting the AI model’s diagnostic potential.
- Collaborating with faculty advisors, dental professionals, and fellow researchers to refine methodologies and ensure research validity.
- Contributing to advancements in AI-integrated dental healthcare by identifying key areas for improvement in automated diagnostic tools.
President and Founder
Palestine Children Relief Fund
Los Angeles, CA
08.2023 - Current
- Established the organization to advocate for Palestinian children's medical aid and humanitarian relief.
- Led fundraising initiatives and awareness campaigns, securing donations and resources for medical and educational support.
- Organized events, panels, and collaborations with other student organizations to amplify Palestinian voices.
- Managed outreach efforts, recruiting members, engaging with students, and fostering a supportive community.
- Coordinated with national/international relief organizations to provide aid and raise awareness.
- Advocated for humanitarian causes, presenting initiatives to student government and university administration.
Member
Muslim Student Union at USC
Los Angeles, CA
08.2023 - Current
- Heavily involved in MSU advocacy efforts, supporting initiatives that uplift the Muslim community and promote social justice.
- Organized and participated in religious, educational, and social events, including Halaqahs, Arabic and Tajweed classes, and student-led activities.
- Led and assisted in campus-wide advocacy campaigns addressing Islamophobia, religious accommodations, and community awareness.
- Supported community service projects, fostering interfaith dialogue and aiding underserved populations.
- Worked closely with student leaders to strengthen the Muslim presence on campus, ensuring cultural and religious inclusivity.
Founder
MissionMed
Eureka, CA
07.2021 - Current
- Founded and led MissionMed, a nonprofit dedicated to educating youth about the most pressing healthcare challenges in third-world developing countries and inspiring them to develop innovative solutions.
- Designed and implemented a structured curriculum focused on global healthcare disparities, historical contexts, and the root causes of medical inequities.
- Taught and mentored students through hands-on workshops, equipping them with critical thinking and problem-solving skills to address healthcare gaps in underprivileged regions.
- Led weekly educational sessions, engaging students in discussions on public health crises, medical accessibility, and ethical healthcare solutions.
- Created and maintained a blog documenting each mission’s progress, student contributions, and the impact of their proposed solutions.
- Spearheaded fundraising initiatives, providing care kits and resources to underserved communities affected by healthcare inequalities.
- Expanded MissionMed’s reach, with future plans to scale the program to under-resourced schools across the country to continue fostering global health awareness and activism.
Member
USC Interaxon
Los Angeles, CA
08.2023 - 05.2024
- Engaged in STEM outreach, teaching neuroscience concepts to underserved K-12 students in Los Angeles.
- Led hands-on demonstrations to spark student interest in brain science and cognitive function.
- Participated in Neurocamp, an on-campus event offering lab tours, dissections, and guest lectures to expose students to real-world scientific experiences.
- Collaborated with other volunteers to create interactive lesson plans and facilitate engaging discussions.
- Promoted STEM education, encouraging young students from diverse backgrounds to explore science-related fields.
Research Assistant
Cal Poly Humboldt
Arcata, CA
08.2022 - 05.2023
- Conducted cancer research under Dr. Sprowles, focusing on cancer stem cells and their role in tumor progression.
- Investigated the function of the tumor suppressor LGL1 and its interactions with actively migrating proteins NMM2 and PGIV.
- Developed an independent research inquiry, theorizing a potential link between COVID-19 and tumor development.
- Performed lab-based analyses, studying cancer cell behavior and mechanisms related to tumor suppression.
- Contributed to ongoing cancer research, assisting in data collection, experimental procedures, and literature review.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Neuroscience
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA05-2027
Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts: Science
College of The Redwoods
Eureka, CA05-2023
Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts: Humanities, Language, & Communicatio
College of The Redwoods
Eureka, CA05-2023
Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts: Science Exploration
College of The Redwoods
Eureka, CA05-2023
High School Diploma -
Academy of The Redwoods
Eureka, CA05-2023
Skills
- Laboratory operations
- Undergraduate research
- Python programming
- Community outreach
- Neurobehavioral assessments
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Good clinical practice
- Multitasking and organization
- Verbal and written communication
- Scientific writing
- Technical writing
- Project management
- Data analysis
- Attention to detail
- Survey creation
- Data collection and analysis
- Creating presentations
- Team management
- Cultural history
Timeline
Research Assistant
Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC
09.2023 - Current
President and Founder
Palestine Children Relief Fund
08.2023 - Current
Member
Muslim Student Union at USC
08.2023 - Current
Member
USC Interaxon
08.2023 - 05.2024
Research Assistant
Cal Poly Humboldt
08.2022 - 05.2023
Founder
MissionMed
07.2021 - Current
Bachelor of Science - Neuroscience
University of Southern California
Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts: Science
College of The Redwoods
Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts: Humanities, Language, & Communicatio
College of The Redwoods
Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts: Science Exploration
College of The Redwoods
High School Diploma -
Academy of The Redwoods
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