Mariam Alqam

General Info

What will be your most valuable contribution to your TechWomen mentorship?

Learning is a mutual process, and I look forward to not only gaining new skills, but also sharing my culture and perspective as a Palestinian researcher. I come from a region with limited resources but immense potential, and I hope to show how passion and determination can drive research forward, even in challenging environments, by sharing my example. I'm especially excited to share my love for teaching and my commitment to making science more inclusive. By bridging our experiences, I believe we can inspire each other and work toward a future where scientific opportunities are accessible to all.

The Top Three Things I Would Like to Learn or Experience During my Mentorship

1. Applying advanced bioinformatics tools to analyze genetic and rare disease data
2. Designing innovative, zero-budget research projects using open-access bioinformatics in resource-limited settings
3. Building global collaborations to support rare disease research and capacity-building in underserved communities, and how to find investors who can support these initiatives

Mentorship Characteristic

• Participate in a skills-building course, either provided by my mentor’s company or identify a free resource online
• Identify a short-term project I can work on at the partnering company
• Have exposure to specialized industry techniques
• Exposes me to new tools and platforms
• Gets me involved in day-to-day activities of the mentor and partnering company.

Ideal Company Type

My ideal mentor works in a research-driven organization focused on genomics, diagnostics and advancing public health through innovative strategies. I'm especially drawn to nonprofit or hybrid institutions, national labs or biotech companies that value collaboration, knowledge-sharing and scientific equity. To benefit fully from this mentorship, I hope to gain not only technical skills but also guidance on how to lead impactful research projects, mentor others and create sustainable scientific communities. I want to learn how to teach bioinformatics techniques and build capacity in low-resource settings, so I can return home equipped to empower other researchers.

What are three adjectives that best describe you in the work place?

1. Determined
2. Zestful
3. Focused

What impact will your mentorship have on your career and professional path?

I hope this mentorship will give me the skills and confidence to lead impactful research in genetics and rare diseases. By learning from experts in bioinformatics, project leadership and team dynamics, I aim to apply new knowledge to local challenges in Palestine. This experience will also support my long-term goal of pursuing a PhD in genetics and eventually building a research center in Palestine that advances equitable access to genetic healthcare and empowers the next generation of women scientists. I am especially interested in how to design high-impact research in resource-limited environments, using open-access tools from home.

After participating in the TechWomen program, how will you leverage your mentorship experience to make an impact in your home country?

After TechWomen, I plan to share what I've learned through workshops and collaborative research with Medical Laboratory students on campuses, and fresh graduates, to build local capacity in genetics and bioinformatics. I also intend to apply for a PhD in genetics as a step toward founding a research center in Palestine focused on rare diseases research and accessible diagnostics. This mentorship experience will help me develop the skills, networks and vision needed to create lasting, community-driven scientific progress in my country.

Work History

Years of Full-time Work Experience

2.5

Primary Professional Focus

• Bio or medical technology
• Educational Technology and E-learning
• Scientist and researcher in technical science and/or engineering discipline

Education History