Glendale Heights native named as Benedictine University's Lincoln Academy Student Laureate
Ayesha Moosani has been named Benedictine University's 2023 Lincoln Academy Student Laureate. Moosani is a health science major, with minors in medical spanish and chemistry, who in her three years at Benedictine University has achieved a cumulative GPA of over 3.9.
The Glendale Heights resident will graduate in May 2024 and plans to attend medical school. Moosani was honored at a convocation ceremony in Springfield on Nov. 4.
The Lincoln Academy of Illinois presents the award to a student from each of the four-year, degree-granting institutions of higher learning in Illinois. This year's Lincoln Laureate receives a certificate signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a Student Laureate Medallion, a $1,000 stipend, and a challenge coin all to encourage these students to live in the spirit of Abraham Lincoln, providing leadership that inspires and transforms the world and to model integrity, courage, honesty and empathy to others.
According to the Benedictine University Honors Committee: "With excellent academic achievement and a life dedicated to service to others, Moosani exemplifies the characteristics of Abraham Lincoln that made the 16th U.S. President someone who inspired and transformed the world for generations: integrity, courage, honesty and empathy."
Moosani's goal is to become a physician with a deep understanding of compassion, mental health, and holistic patient care. By forging meaningful connections with patients, she is confident that her experiences at Benedictine will contribute to the advancement of healthcare and improve the lives of those around her.
As an immigrant who arrived in the United States from Pakistan at the age of 12, Moosani faced the challenge of overcoming language and cultural barriers, but persevered and became one of Benedictine's most successful seniors. Being a part of Jurica Scholars program, and passionate about research, Moosani actively participated in the National Science Summer Research Program during her freshman year, presenting her work on glioblastoma meningioma.
Currently, Moosani is engaged in research under the guidance of Dr. Jayashree Sarathy, associate professor, biological sciences program director, exploring the effects of probiotics to deepen her understanding of the mechanisms behind bile acid-induced diarrhea. Presenting their study at local (URSA) and regional (ACCA) research conferences further fueled her passion for scientific exploration and intellectual growth.
Beyond academia, Ayesha is deeply involved in community service. At Villa St. Benedict in Lisle, she teaches classes to independent living and Alzheimer's patients, and works as a registered behavior technician for autistic children. Ayesha also volunteers at local libraries, youth programs, and multiple community organizations. On campus, she holds leadership positions as president and speaker of the student senate, and is involved in numerous other clubs on campus.