SARA ETTAMIMI

Sara is a PhD Student and Moroccan young scientist. She is a coordinator of the 'River Sampling Day, MicroB3' project in Morocco, a member of the World Youth Parliament for Water WYPW and previous EMBO fellow scientist to the University of Oxford. Sara has a background in Molecular Biotechnology and Bioinformatics with a master’s degree in microbiology and Biotechnology, currently preparing a PhD Project with focus on freshwater metagenomics in the University Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdallah, Morocco. Last years, she has many contributions in climate change and impact pollution on microbial diversity in freshwater ecosystems.

“We just need a simple belief in ourselves”

Q: TELL US A FEW THINGS ABOUT YOUR COUNTRY, AND ALSO YOUR LIFE'S STORY!

Morocco is a beautiful country located in North Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Mauritania. This very special location makes this country a gateway to Africa and Europe. Morocco is the most diversified country in Africa, this diversity touches the cultures, religions and languages. It's being an Arabic and Muslim country, the identity of its citizen is influenced by these main factors. All of this together create a unique ambience that allows foreigners to feel that Morocco is their second home.

I was born in Fez which is the second-largest city in Morocco, it was founded during the 8th century. Today, the medina of Fez is listed as a World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO.

I grew up in a simple Moroccan family where I was the fourth child in the family of 5 children. My parents have shaped me into the person I am today, they always have been my greatest influence. From the beginning of my life, they taught me how to be responsible and how to make my dream into reality, they constantly inspire me to achieve my goals.

After finishing secondary school, I had the chance to be selected by the University of Fez, where I got my bachelor and master degree in the field of Biotechnology and microbiology. Just after this, I decided to start my thesis as it always has been my dream.

Currently, I am conducting my research on microbial diversity of Moroccan rivers using new methods with the application of metagenomics approach.

Q: WHAT IS YOUR VIEW OF THE WORLD AS IT IS TODAY? AND HOW DO YOU DEFINE THE CONCEPT OF A BETTER WORLD?

A better world is absolutely a "peaceful world". In today's world, we become more and more connected than we have been before, on a larger scale, nations get closer and open on their cultures which promote easily social development.

Q: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE KEY CHALLENGES IN YOUR SOCIETY?

As a young woman coming from a very diversified society, I can summarize challenges faced by Moroccan women in two important aspects; limited access to education, especially beyond primary level and gender-based division of roles in employment.

Q: AS A YOUNG INDIVIDUAL WHAT ARE A FEW OF THE HURDLES THAT YOU HAD TO OVERCOME UP UNTIL TODAY?

Well, I think I can say with confidence that I’ve been through many difficult things, I had numerous challenges especially when I started travelling outside my country to conduct my researches. The most difficult thing I’ve been through was trying to well present my culture as a Muslim woman wearing a Hijab. I remember, I always got many questions and people tried to understand the reason behind this. I overcame this challenge by being patient to answer all of them. I think we need to change the way we look to ourselves first, as a community, we need to do better and support each other, to empower and carry out ourselves to a certain way and make more of an effort to be a leader and speak up for our ideas.

Q: WHY IS THE ROLE OF A MENTOR IMPORTANT FOR YOU?

My mentor is too important for me for many reasons, but essential for providing knowledge, motivation, and encouraged me with personal development and support.

Q: DO YOU HAVE A LESSON THAT LIFE HAS TAUGHT YOU AND YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE?

One of the most important lessons that I got in life is that I should believe in myself. This confidence has made the difference for me, again and again, to go straight my goals. I believe that we don't need intelligence or opportunity or resources, we just need a simple belief in ourselves.

Q: NAME A PROJECT, A FOUNDATION OR A PERSON IN YOUR COUNTRY THAT YOU THINK IS DOING GREAT WORK IN HELPING IMPROVE OTHER PEOPLE'S LIVES!

Morocco Foundation is a Non-Profit Organization that was created by a team of seasoned Moroccan professionals who share the same vision of a better future for the people of Morocco.

VISION : To fight poverty and illiteracy in Morocco.

MISSION: We aim to reduce poverty by improving the availability and quality of services for the disadvantaged and poor population groups. Our projects benefits children, especially the ethnic minorities and rural people by giving priority to cost-effective interventions.

MAIN OBJECTIVES – To reduce poverty and illiteracy among the most vulnerable Moroccans: orphans, children and handicapped through a U.S network of donations. – To promote children schooling and education. – To help the underprivileged with the basic necessities like water, food, and clothing. – To {spread} awareness among the Moroccan community in the U.S about the necessity to help underprivileged people in Morocco, in an attempt to alleviate and improve their quality of living. https://www.morocco-foundation.org/

Q: ATHENA40 IS THE FIRST EVER GLOBAL SELECTION OF THE TOP 40 WOMEN FORWARD THINKERS, COMMENTATORS, ACTIVISTS, AUTHORS, ACADEMICS, ENTREPRENEURS, EXECUTIVES, INNOVATORS. CAN YOU THINK OF A TRULY INNOVATIVE AND FORWARD-THINKING WOMAN FROM YOUR COUNTRY THAT YOU WISH TO NOMINATE FOR THE ATHENA40 GLOBAL RANKING?

I can nominate Fatna Lamdersi, an inspiring woman from Figuig region in Morocco, who dedicated her fortune to the construction of a business school ENCG in her region. Upon the death of her late husband, this woman from a large family in Figuig, took over the management of family properties and decided, 15 years ago, to help others in her own way. Rather than building a mosque as many other benefactors do or to embark on an associative life, Lamdersi decided to finance the construction of a national school of business and management, the first of its kind in the east of Morocco with more than 1000 students enrolled each year.

Q: SHARE WITH US A PHRASE, A POEM OR A STORY THAT YOU LOVE OR YOU FIND INTERESTING!

"A woman with a voice is, by definition, a strong woman." - Melinda Gates

Q: TELL US ONE THING THAT YOU HAVE LEARNED FROM YOUR MENTOR.

My mentor inspired me a lot, she helped me to have a positive outlook on life and showed me how to find the opportunity in the difficulties that I was facing. "Keep growing myself" is the most noticed lesson I learned from her.