Hi all!
My name is Ida Sukar, third year biochem major. I actually transferred here in Fall 2018, so this is really only my third semester at OU. I love chemistry (its really more of a love/hate relationship but definitely more emphasis on the love). I started taking it back in my Sophomore year of high school, so this marks my 5th year taking chemistry courses!
Just for funsies, my last name translates to sugar in Gey Sinan, a dialect of Amharic (the national language of Ethiopia). Both of my parents came to the states in the 80's for school and decided to stay and start a family.
I hope to one day work as a pediatrician. I've been really into oncology, and am looking into that specialty, but anything with kiddo's will suffice. I'm happy to say that I am on the board of Oklahoma Children's Cancer Association. I only recently joined but I LOVE what this organization stands for and it has definitely deepened the roots I have for my interest in oncology.
I've always dreamed of teaching public health in rural communities in an out of the states. I don't know how that would work with a career in medicine but I'll cross that bridge when I get there :-). I'm really big on breaking social stigma's; I think it's so important, especially when dealing with health. Also, wherever I end up, I hope to shift the culture from industry/economics to something more patient-care/quality oriented.
I ~love~ to travel. I've been to four different countries: Ethiopia (obviously), Kenya, Dubai, and Qatar. Besides Ethiopia, Kenya is my favorite. There, I got to climb one of the highest mountains in the country, ride ostriches (like a pro), and kiss giraffes! The experience I had there was magical, to say the least. This summer I get to go to Ghana for a medical mission trip, so thats another one for the books! Here's a link to my fundraising page; this trip is not cheap (I know, I know—shameless promo).
Enjoy this picture of me sharing a kiss with a giraffe, living my absolute BEST life.
My name is Ida Sukar, third year biochem major. I actually transferred here in Fall 2018, so this is really only my third semester at OU. I love chemistry (its really more of a love/hate relationship but definitely more emphasis on the love). I started taking it back in my Sophomore year of high school, so this marks my 5th year taking chemistry courses!
Just for funsies, my last name translates to sugar in Gey Sinan, a dialect of Amharic (the national language of Ethiopia). Both of my parents came to the states in the 80's for school and decided to stay and start a family.
I hope to one day work as a pediatrician. I've been really into oncology, and am looking into that specialty, but anything with kiddo's will suffice. I'm happy to say that I am on the board of Oklahoma Children's Cancer Association. I only recently joined but I LOVE what this organization stands for and it has definitely deepened the roots I have for my interest in oncology.
I've always dreamed of teaching public health in rural communities in an out of the states. I don't know how that would work with a career in medicine but I'll cross that bridge when I get there :-). I'm really big on breaking social stigma's; I think it's so important, especially when dealing with health. Also, wherever I end up, I hope to shift the culture from industry/economics to something more patient-care/quality oriented.
I ~love~ to travel. I've been to four different countries: Ethiopia (obviously), Kenya, Dubai, and Qatar. Besides Ethiopia, Kenya is my favorite. There, I got to climb one of the highest mountains in the country, ride ostriches (like a pro), and kiss giraffes! The experience I had there was magical, to say the least. This summer I get to go to Ghana for a medical mission trip, so thats another one for the books! Here's a link to my fundraising page; this trip is not cheap (I know, I know—shameless promo).
Enjoy this picture of me sharing a kiss with a giraffe, living my absolute BEST life.
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| Giraffe Centre. Nairobi, Kenya. 2016. |
It is so exciting to meet someone who knows Amharic, Ida! Ethiopian food is one of my favorites, and the restaurant I used to go to in Oakland these beautiful tablecloths that had pictures from the Kebra Nagast plus writing... and while I could not read the writing, I loved looking at the pictures; the art was beautiful! And for your goal of working in public health, storytelling can be a powerful way to connect, so I hope the storytelling in this class will be a good learning experience, something to contribute to your future goals!
ReplyDeleteSadly, there are no giraffes in India (the world needs more giraffes!), but there are some fabulous story-ful animals that Africa and India have in common like elephants and lions. Elephants, especially, are a big part of the Indian story tradition. Here's a fun etymology: when you get to the Mahabharata, the main royal city is called Hastinapur, which means Elephant-City. :-)
Hi Ida! It sounds like you have an exciting life! I am envious of your travel! I'm trying to go out of the country for the first time this year, so I understand how expensive it gets, the promo is needed. I've seen a couple of other medical/science majors that are taking this class, which I think is cool. Since I'm an English major I don't get to interact with the science majors very often. I'm looking forward to it!
ReplyDeleteHi Ida! Your travel adventures are so cool! It's awesome that you are going to Ghana to help people in need and learn more about medicine; I hope your funding goes well. If you go on to pursue your interests, I think you will help make a positive impact in children with cancer. I never loved chemistry, but that's why people like you exist - to save the rest of us lol.
ReplyDeleteHi Ida,
ReplyDeleteGreat to meet you! Biochemistry, that sounds so difficult, but it sounds like you definitely have a passion for it. You can do anything! I think it's great that you are so invested in oncology and cancer research. We definitely need people like you in that field who love what they do. I am also jealous of your travels! Your life sounds so fulfilling and fun. I wish you the best this semester and on your future endavors!
Hey Ida! My roommate is studying to be a nurse currently in the hopes of becoming a oncology nurse after college! She is on the executive team for Relay for Life on OU's campus which I think you would really enjoy to look into. I have only been to two other countries, including Mexico and Italy, but I would love to visit Dubai! All the pictures I have seen look so awesome and so much fun!
ReplyDeleteHey Ida,
ReplyDeleteRight off the back your major sounds super intense. I could never understand how people get interested in science. That is probably why I am so terrible at its ha. It sounds amazing that you have been to so many different places in the world. I am totally jealous. Riding an ostrich has always been of dream of mine and you are so lucky you got to! I hope this class and this semester goes well for you!
Hi Ida,
ReplyDeleteI want to be a therapist, and I also want to make sure my work is based on quality patient care rather than a quick diagnosis for an insurance policy. I also really love biochemistry. I took a class for it at my old highschool, and it changed my life. Definitely a love hate relationship, but I hope to do more with it later on, specifically in the context of plant biology.
Hey, Ida
ReplyDeleteThat is super cool that you work with Oklahoma's Children's Cancer association! I feel as though it goes really well with your major, too! I have been wanting to get involved with research with my major in microbiology, but I really like how you applied that in a way that is philanthropic! I also love giraffes - and I am super jealous that you got so close to one.
Hi Ida! It's super interesting that you're a biochem major! I used to be to, but OChem labs drove me away haha. I also have an interest in public health too and rural communities definitely need more access to quality health care, education, and resources. I think it's also cool that you want to be a pediatrician too! And it's amazing that you've gotten to travel a lot too and I hope you get opportunity to in the future. Love the picture with you and the giraffe!
ReplyDeleteHey Ida!
ReplyDeleteI am also a junior biochem major, so we've probably been in some of the same classes before (besides this one haha). And your passion is amazing! It's really cool how you have a great vision for what you want to do with your life, and it seems like being a doctor would be a great step to teaching public health! And the travel!!! Traveling is one my favorite things to do, and I can't wait to visit the African continent! (tbh now that i know that kissing giraffes is an option, that's all I want to do. Giraffes were my favorite animal as a kid haha)
-Daniel
Hi Ida,
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite restaurants is Queen of Sheba in OKC. Do your parents have any Ethiopian recipes that you'd be willing to share? My husband and I enjoy cooking, and we prefer cultural recipes from people we know are really from the area over downloading recipes and hoping that the person who submitted the recipe is legit.
I'm excited for you to go on a brigade to Ghana. My husband took my daughter on a brigade to Honduras to work with One World Surgery a year and a half ago. It made a huge impact on both of them. My husband has been giving OWS some IT support and is actively trying to get other developers to sign up for brigades. My daughter got to watch one of the surgeries. It fascinated her. She was ten at the time (she just turned twelve in December), and she's been begging to go back.
Thanks for sharing!
-Eden
Hello Ida! First of all, I absolutely love the meaning behind your name, it's something I'd never seen before! Also, I would also like to say that you certainly have a lot of courage majoring in biochemistry for the past 3 years. I'm currently a micro-biology major, and I think biochem trumps it all in terms of difficulty so I applaud you for having gone this long! More so your relationship with chemistry. Being both in medicine related paths, I've had my fair share of chemistry, and I'd say that's the same sort of relationship I currently have with it also.
ReplyDeleteHey Ida! I'm glad that you love your major. Chemistry was always tough for me and I was never really that good at it but for me physics is like chemistry to you. It's awesome that you want to help others in your profession! I have never been able to leave the United States but want to so I'm jealous that you've been able to go to 4 different places!
ReplyDeleteI am a Bio Major. That is awesome that your name means sugar! It is amazing that I don’t have diabetes because the amount of sugar I was allowed to consume as a child. That is really cool. I hope to work with children, babies, and women but I hope to be a PA. I too have had an interest in volunteering. Once I am a PA I want to volunteer at middle and high schools to teach proper sex education. Those are not very common it is awesome you have gotten to travel to those places! I have only ever been to Cozumel because my dad wanted to scuba dive and Italy this past summer for study abroad.
ReplyDeleteHello Ida! I am a Community Health major so I understand the feeling of wanting to teach public health. With your major, you will be especially well-equipped to teach health and so much more. It's so cool that you're on the board of the OCCA! It sounds like you're on a path to help and change the world, which is really inspiring. Good luck to you with everything!
ReplyDeleteHi Ida!
ReplyDeleteAfter reading through a lot of introductions, it sounds like this course is full of a lot of stem majors! I am studying chemical biosciences, so I am sure we have had other classes together. It is amazing that you are passionate about public health and health care in general. I am sure you are going to impact so many lives. Good luck with everything!
It's nice to meet you, Ida! I like people who are super passionate about the things that they do. You certainly check that box. Five straight years of chemistry? That's ALOT of chemistry. It sounds like you'll certainly be equipped for a future as a pediatrician. I also wonder if there's any way to get experience/involved in the current pandemic? It's certainly in the wheel house of the career you want in the future! Out of curiosity, where did you transfer from?
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, Ida! We have similar aspirations in life, expect I'm not as credible as you are... haha! I LOVE that you want to tie pediatrics and a practice in medicine with public health. To be honest, public health can be related to pretty much anything. I'm a Public Health major on the Pre-Med track. My plan is to get a Masters in PH and then do my time in medical school *crosses fingers*. You should take some PH classes this upcoming school year! Since you'll be a senior and done with most of your core + Pre-Med requirements, you'll probably have some extra hours you could fill. I highly recommend it, especially for you since your career goals and future plans really coincide with the topic.
ReplyDeleteHi Ida, nice to meet you!! I feel like I never meet too many people that actually love chemistry, but that is so cool!! I'm am sure that will come in handy in medical school. I bet you will make a great pediatrician one day! I don't know any Ethiopian people but I do love Ethiopian foods! My favorite is Pasta beu injera!! Traveling is also one of my passions and Dubai is very high on my list for the next place I wanna go! Any recommendation on what I should do??
ReplyDelete