“It was my dream to be an Engineer since 6th grade.” One of the biggest blessings of receiving a Wentcher Scholarship in 2005, Maryam says, was being able to achieve that dream without the constant worry of paying off loans. “I have been able to pursue opportunities that I may not have otherwise.” Born in the UAE to Pakistani parents who moved to the U.S. when she was thirteen, Maryam attended Lincoln Park High School in Chicago and completed a Bachelors and Masters in Bioengineering at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Maryam recalls, “I was a member of one of the earliest classes to receive the Wentcher scholarship, and recall meeting Ernie Wentcher at his apartment prior to being interviewed. As a daughter of immigrant parents, my interview ended up becoming a family affair. My dad and Ernie chatted about their travels and shared their life stories, while I sat there semi-embarrassed, and quite nervous. Ernie took the time to talk to me and the other candidates and eased our nerves before our interviews. Looking back, I imagine the scene much as a grandfather sharing stories from his youth with his grandkids. As a result of my own experiences, I am eager to give back to society. For the past decade I have been a mentor for women in science and engineering fields.” You can read more about Maryam’s journey on the Wentcher Blog here.