Abdirahman “Abdi” Diria is destined for a promising career as a physician-scientist. The biology pre-med major at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore is a 2021 Harvard Medical School Research Fellow. Following his graduation this month, he will pursue a research fellowship this coming fall before enrolling in a MD-PhD dual degree program. Saying that his soon-to-be alma mater is proud of him is an understatement.
Diria, who calls Clarksburg, Maryland home, was a sought-after prospect for competitive programs, having received fellowships from Harvard, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. He is in the process of making his final decision.
Diria’s favorite quote, “Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment,” attributed to Jim Rohn, speaks to his outlook on life.
In addition to a rigorous course load during academic semesters, Diria enhanced his learning experiences with summer internships. He interned at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Harvard Medical School, as a freshman, sophomore and junior, respectively. Not resting on his laurels, this summer he will also be a summer intern at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C. He will conduct research focusing on developing techniques to manipulate cells chemically and physically with Dr. Keith Whitener in the NRL’s Chemistry Division.
No stranger to delving into research, Diria was part of Dr. Salina Parveen’s laboratory in the Department of Agriculture, Food and Resources Sciences.
“Salmonella are mainly associated with poultry and poultry products. Antibiotic resistant Salmonella is a global issue as it is the cause of most of the infections in humans,” Parveen said. “Abdirahman worked closely with my graduate student Anuradha Jewantha to investigate the prevalence of antimicrobic resistant Salmonella in non-organic chickens. The results of this study will be used by public health agencies and the poultry industry to improve the microbiological safety of poultry and poultry products. Abdirahman is a very motivated, dedicated and hardworking student who will be a valuable asset at whichever medical school he chooses.”
“Drs. Parveen and Mobolaji Okulate were mentors who helped me tremendously,” Diria said. “I am grateful for their roles in my academic success. The mentorship available in the Department of Natural Sciences was unparalleled, and it enabled me to pursue my goals. Working together with Dr. Jonathan Cumming, chair of the department, improved my leadership skills and made me a better student. I will cherish the invaluable lessons I learned from my experience at UMES.”
While at UMES, Diria also found time to serve as the president of the Pre-professional Society, the chapter president of the National Society of Leadership and Success, hold membership as a Richard A. Henson Honors Program Scholar and help his peers as a math tutor for the Department of Mathematics. He is a newly inducted member of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi as well.
It’s hard to believe he would have free time, but he adds, “Besides academics, I enjoy advising and mentoring the younger generation, volunteering at local clinics and reading personal development books.”
Gail Stephens, Agricultural Communications and Media Associate, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, gcstephens@umes.edu, 410-621-3850.
Photo by Todd Dudek, Agricultural Communications, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, tdudek@umes.edu.
