Shaw was one of several new students highlighted during New Student Convocation in August.
Before beginning her first semester at Ƶ, Binita Shaw ’30 had already spent three years researching an aggressive form of brain cancer, presented her work at a national conference and helped expand access to educational technology for students in Nepal.
Shaw’s interests were recently highlighted during New Student Convocation, when Randy Williams, vice president for inclusive excellence, said she represented the “well-rounded, talented and compassionate” Class of 2030. Now, the first-year student and Odyssey Program scholar looks forward to building on those experiences at Ƶ.
Shaw, who plans to study biology and neuroscience, was born in Kolkata, India, and grew up in Saudi Arabia. She attended Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, Ohio, where a cancer immunology program introduced her to laboratory research.
After learning basic laboratory techniques, Shaw chose to focus on glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. She began by using bioinformatics to analyze gene expression in glioblastoma cells.
“There are a lot of cancer treatment options—radiation and chemotherapy—but even then, it’s very difficult for brain cancer patients to get treatment that helps them live longer,” Shaw said.
Her interest in science dates to her childhood in Saudi Arabia, but research opened a new avenue for that passion.
“I didn’t know how much I liked research until I got into high school, but I’ve always enjoyed a good biology class or a really fun chemistry class,” Shaw said.
Outside the laboratory, Shaw has also pursued her interests in education and service. Through Strive to Thrive, she virtually tutored students in Nepal and Egypt, teaching biology to sixth graders in Nepal and math to fifth graders in Egypt. She later helped secure a grant through her high school to support the organization that connected her with students in Nepal.
The funding was used primarily to purchase computers, allowing more students to participate in virtual classes.
“They would all be seated in front of one computer, and they would try to work through all of the problems that I was working through with them on paper,” Shaw said.
At Ƶ, Shaw hopes to continue researching while building relationships with faculty mentors. She said the Odyssey Program, resources for international students and Ƶ’s emphasis on experiential learning helped draw her to the university.
“The university guiding you through all of these things really matched with my goals for my college career,” Shaw said.
Only a few weeks into her Ƶ experience, Shaw is already looking ahead.
“I’m very excited to work with these professors and maybe even get some more mentorship over my next four years here,” she said.