The 2024 Interns at Akagera Medicine: “Global SISTERHOOD of the Brightest Light”

Sodaba: 

My name is Sodaba Faizi. I am a student from northeast Afghanistan at Middlebury College. I major in Environmental Justice with minor in Global Health and Arabic. I am interning with AKAGERA Medicines in the summer 2024 to engage in global health initiatives that align with my commitment to health equity for the Majority World. I know the pain of being denied health and basic rights as an Afghan woman.

“I am here to work on behalf of every girl in Afghanistan who cannot pursue her dreams, so that tomorrow Afghanistan is not a source of ‘darkness, ignorance, and illiteracy.’”

Taniya: 

My name is Taniya Noori, and I am from Kabul, Afghanistan. I study International and Global Studies with a focus on the Middle East, North Africa, and Arabic at Middlebury College. I founded the Afghan Tutoring Network, which provides online classes for Afghan girls—a project about which I am passionate. I am grateful for the opportunity to intern at Akagera Medicine and learn and improve my research and communciation skills from successful scientists and executives.

“I plan to use this knowledge to initiate a project to promote healthcare in my community.”

Patricia: 

My name is Patricia Halliday. I am a 2024 summer intern at Akagera Medicines and a rising junior at Harvard College. I am pursuing a bachelor's degree in economics with a minor in government. I participate in a variety of student organizations, including Harvard Financial Analysts, Women in Business, and the Harvard Undergraduate Venture Capital Group. I had the privilege to hold a number of leadership positions during my academic career and hope to draw on these experiences, and together with my exposure to economics, commerce, and government - make an impact on the world.  

“The world faces momentous challenges. The solutions require collaboration between market-driven innovators and leaders in the government and NGO sectors. Akagera Medicines and its partners combine all of these participants under a single roof.”

Nabila: 

I am Nabila Noori and a junior at Middlebury College from Afghanistan. I major in Psychology and minor in Arabic. I gained valuable professional experience as a manager at DREAM where I fostered teamwork and creativity among AmeriCorps members. I am doing an internship at Akagera Medicines to expand my knowledge in biotech strategies focused on “global health equity”, especially in underserved regions like Rwanda and my home country. My job at Akagera is to do research on the unmet needs of HIV patients in poor nations.

My favorite quote is:

 “A girl who chooses to think for herself is a force like none other on Earth. She is a member of a global sisterhood of the brightest light.” Shabana Basij-Rasikh 

Ineza:

My name is Ineza Mizero Ines Kevine, and I am currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science at Middlebury College. My internship at Akagera Medicines has pushed me beyond my comfort zone and allowed me to gain valuable knowledge both within and beyond my field of study. I worked on different projects and embraced unique opportunities, represented the company at the Rwanda Convention 2025, and engaged with brilliant scientists at the office, whose insights and passion deeply inspired me. I am truly grateful for this experience, as the lessons I learned are unlike those that can be taught in a classroom. Akagera Medicines is committed to transforming Africa and beyond. Akagera’s mission and dedication motivates me to pursue my passions with resilience despite challenges.

“It always seems impossible until it is done.” ~ Nelson Mandela.