Khadicha Kosimjonova is advocating for equality
Khadicha Kosimjonova
Baldwin High School senior Khadicha Kosimjonova has a unique insight into the lack of equality experienced by women — and the power of speaking out. Khadicha was born in Uzbekistan, where women are not offered the same opportunities or respect as men. She reflects, “My parents have always been ridiculed by other people from my homeland because they ‘didn’t have sons and therefore wouldn’t have successful children.’ In order to give me and my sisters a chance to be successful, my family immigrated here.”
Her parents’ bold choice and their belief in her has inspired Khadicha to strive to make a difference in her world.
She started at her high school, where she has founded Sisterhood, Affection, Freedom, and Equality, or S.A.F.E., a discussion-based club that focuses on helping women feel empowered and uplifted by listening to their concerns and giving them a safe place to talk. Khadicha explains, “For far too long, women everywhere have been silenced and pushed aside. However, I believe speaking up is the first step to a change in the world. I have always believed that communicating your concerns is the best way to seek a difference, whether it be in yourself or in society. That’s why we need a supportive community for young women to speak up about these concerns and stand with one another. I want to create a community where young women can feel like they truly belong and feel that they can talk about things that have been affecting them.”
The response to the club has been overwhelming. The first meeting at Baldwin High School was standing-room only. The model has successfully been replicated internationally, boasting 4 additional chapters as far afield as Toronto. Khadicha reflects, “It was incredibly inspiring when I realized how many women were waiting for an outlet, and how prepared everyone was to speak up about issues.”
Passionate about uplifting others, Khadicha is also the founder of STEM Seeds. This organization reaches young people at a foundational time with a mission to plant seeds of STEM through science experiments for underprivileged youth. Khadicha coordinates a team of about 50 people to perform weekly science experiments in 7 different locations.
She is also an Advocacy Leader of Pittsburgh PanCAN, raising funds and awareness for pancreatic cancer; president and founder of the Public Health Club chapter at Baldwin High School; Fatayatul Ilm cofounder and president of MCCGP Chapter; volunteer services manager LearnWithUs; and Pennsylvania leader and mentee of Thriving Elements program.
She is honing her science skills through a prestigious research internship at the Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute University of Pittsburgh Lab under Dr. Abdelsamed Hossam, where she researches genomes through computational biology. She is part of a team researching the correlation between gender and autoimmune disease. She has previously completed a research internship at Kuang Lab Mellon Institute Carnegie Mellon University under Dr. Sarah Oldejo and Summer Academy of Math and Science at CMU, one of only 7% of applicants accepted.
Khadicha has received a full scholarship to attend Columbia University, where she will study medicine. She shares, “My career ambitions are focused on entering the medical field, where I hope to combine my passion for science with my drive to make a tangible difference in people’s lives. I am particularly interested in researching autoimmune diseases and cancer, aiming to develop better treatments and preventative strategies. I also aspire to support and inspire the next generation of women in STEM through mentorship, using my own journey to help guide others into the medical field.”
Her efforts have earned her recognition as one of Junior Achievement’s 18 Under Eighteen. Presented by the EQT Foundation, this group represents the next generation of leaders innovating for the future. The accolade has humbled and emboldened Khadicha. She reflects, “To be recognized as one of JA’s 18 Under Eighteen is truly an honor and humbling. It represents a step forward in my journey, validating all the hard work and passion I’ve poured into my initiatives like S.A.F.E. Club and STEM Seeds, my leadership roles in numerous organizations, and my research in multiple labs. It’s a reminder of the impact we can have on our communities, especially as young women in STEM, and fuels my determination to continue making a difference. I feel there are not many opportunities to be recognized for work put in, and I am thankful for this ‘I made it!’ type of moment.”