A Great Start for Women in STEM

January 06, 2020

When Bora Faulkner stepped foot on an Anoka-Ramsey Community College campus for the first time in 2006 she had just finished high school in Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania and moved to Minnesota to pursue her passion for science. She knew the transition would be challenging and wanted to begin her education in a supportive environment.

Bora described what she found at Anoka-Ramsey in one word: welcoming.

“Coming from a different country and joining a different culture is difficult. You doubt yourself and often wonder if you will succeed,” Bora explained. “But Anoka-Ramsey has resources and great instructors who are invested in helping you succeed, and the entire campus culture reflects that.”

Research or Medicine

The two careers in science that Bora considered when she first started at Anoka-Ramsey were research and medicine. She had a love for science, but with little experience, Bora was unsure which to choose.

In the summer of 2008, an opportunity became available to participate in the Independent Research Summer Program (IRSP): a 10-week formal research project partnership between Anoka-Ramsey and the University of Minnesota.

“Being part of IRSP was eye opening,” said Bora. “Being in the lab was overwhelming and exciting. I decided that research was something I would like to do.”

The IRSP program also exposed Bora to presenting research which offered a perfect balance for her love of science, career goals and extroverted personality.

More Than a Start in Science

Beyond helping her choose a career, the unique undergraduate opportunity at Anoka-Ramsey solidified her educational path to get there.

“I was introduced to other mentors in science and it opened doors to more research opportunities,” said Bora. “When I transferred to the University of Minnesota to complete my degree in biochemistry, I worked in the lab with the professor I’d met in IRSP and continued to work as a junior scientist after graduation.”

In August 2019, Bora achieved a huge milestone and defended her thesis researching how changes in osteoclasts (cells that resorb bone) can lead to bone-associated diseases such as osteoporosis to complete her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology and Genetics from the University of Minnesota’s College of Biological Sciences.

The leadership skills and confidence Bora built during her time at Anoka-Ramsey helped fuel her desire to be an example for her son and an inspiration to other women interested in STEM. Bora hopes to use her versatile degree to land a job as a research scientist in biotech, biopharma or biomed industries.

Learn more about undergraduate research opportunities available at Anoka-Ramsey at anokaramsey.edu/academics/academic-initiatives/undergraduate-research