Yara Ahmedfiqi
Age: 16 | Location: Detroit, Michigan, USA | Pronouns: she/her
I'm a 16 year old junior in high school, and am so excited to have worked on this summit! My interests are primarily in healthcare, technology, and public policy. Making a difference in the world may seem intimidating, but the hardest part is believing that you can do it! I believe that any and all young people are more than capable of having their voices heard.
Q+A: Yara Ahmedfiqi on mindset, having confidence in yourself, and mental health…
If you had infinite time, money and resources to solve just one global challenge, what would it be, and why?
I would increase global acknowledgement of mental health issues and disabilities. My younger brother struggles with severe autism, and this next generation is plagued by mental health issues. There is a huge stigma and misinformation spread about mental health in various cultures, and I believe that with enough resources and global effort - that stigma could change.
How did you get involved in STEM?
I got involved in STEM from a very young age just off my parents' influence, with them both being physicians. Then, as elementary school progressed - I began to participate in science fairs and excelled in the sciences. In middle school, I decided to shadow an Interventional Radiologist for a career project. I enjoyed it so much that I now still consider it my dream career.
If you could share one tip for someone who's new to making a difference through STEM, what would it be?
Don't be scared to take that first step! There are so many opportunities that I KNOW I have missed due to not being confident in myself and my abilities. Everyone starts somewhere, so don't feel intimidated by those you view as better than you. The truth is, they just had the confidence to put themselves out there in the first place. This goes for everything in life, not just STEM.
How do you think STEM is impacting your community?
I think STEM is affecting my community (young people) by changing the way that we view the world. STEM is something that has evolved the most in these recent years, and will continue to evolve. These continuous changes impact this generation by changing our mindset to one that is extremely innovative. We are privileged to know that nothing is impossible.
What do you hope that the Youth STEM Summit will achieve in terms of empowering youth globally to tackle the world's biggest challenges, and why do you think this is important?
I want this summit to empower youth all over the world because that is what I needed for so much of my life. I was insecure and didn't think that my voice was important. That did nothing but set me back. I want to launch this summit for global youth to take on life with confidence in themselves and the tools they need to continue making an impact on the world through STEM, or any other avenue. It's important to have confidence and feel inspired!
What are you most excited for about the Youth STEM Summit?
I'm most excited to interact with this year's summit attendees. Anyone who goes out of their way to learn, grow, and make a difference in this world is incredibly admirable. I want to communicate with you guys, before and after the summit. Knowing your audience is so important, and I aim to achieve that.