Raza Ali: From Community College to National Conferences
Being the first in his family to pursue research and a career in medicine in the US, Raza Ali had always wanted to find opportunities in which he could use his academic knowledge to share his culture and be in service to others. As an Honors student, he has done just that.
〉〉 "The Honors Transfer Program has been the most impactful academic experience I've had at Las Positas."
He explains that the Honors Program allowed him to engage deeply with his coursework,
rather than just completing assignments week by week. His experience not only shaped
how he thought about science and his career aspirations, but also gave him the opportunity
to present at national conferences.
"The Honors Program gave me the opportunity to present at national conferences and
connect with students and scholars beyond the college. Those experiences shaped how
I think about science and my career aspirations."
One of the most memorable and meaningful aspects of Raza’s time in the Honors Program
was the opportunity to present his research at national conferences. He has had the
chance to share his research at the Yale Undergraduate Research Conference, Stanford
AI for Science Conference, Johns Hopkins Macksey National Undergraduate Humanities
Research Symposium, the National Research Conference at the University of Pennsylvania,
the UC Berkeley Honors Research Symposium, and Las Positas College Research Symposium.
Raza notes that presenting at these conferences was especially meaningful. "When my
project was accepted at UPenn, the Las Positas College Foundation stepped in to support
my travel. I met students from across the country with incredibly diverse research
backgrounds. Speaking with other students reminded me how broad this field is—and
how much I still have to explore."
One project that had a profound impact on Raza’s academic and career trajectory was
his research on Bioactive Molecules in Islamically Recommended Foods, completed in
Professor Boaz’s Introduction to Biology course. This research, which allowed him
to bridge his cultural heritage and his academic interests, gave him the opportunity
to attend one of the most meaningful experiences in his academic journey. Raza recalls,
"The project was accepted at the National Research Conference at the University of
Pennsylvania, where I was one of only two community college students invited to present."
He continues, "Being part of that conference—designed to promote interdisciplinary
collaboration among undergraduate researchers—was a turning point for me." Raza has
always hoped to transform academic work into something that serves people, not just
institutions. "Presenting this research showed me that it’s possible—and that there’s
real value in bringing cultural insight into scientific spaces."
For students considering to join the Honors Program, Raza offers a simple message: "Definitely join. Yes, the transfer rates are incredible, but more than that, the program helps provide a sense of ownership over your education and the chance to immerse yourself in a community of motivated LPC students."
〉〉 "You get to go beyond tests and grades and dive into real questions—ones that don't always have a single right answer"
Currently, Raza is preparing to transfer and continue building on his research work. "After transfer, I aspire to pursue medicine. But more broadly, my goal is to be a positive catalyst for change—wherever I go and in whatever form that takes. Whether it’s through healthcare, research, or education, I want to make sure the work I do reaches beyond the academic space and actually touches communities."
