Real STEM Stories

Who powers the science that powers our world? It’s not just the kind of scientists you see in popular media; it’s all of us!

Nusheen Ameenuddin, M.D., M.P.H.

Community Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine at Mayo Clinic

“We’re role modeling even when we don’t think we’re role modeling. It’s a privilege and it’s a tremendous responsibility.”

As someone who works with children—many of whom she has known their whole lives, Nusheen makes it a point to ask her patients what they want to be when they grow up. Being her authentic self is one way she shows them that the world needs scientists and physicians who come from different backgrounds and life experiences, when many children are subtly or overtly told STEM isn’t for them. 

“Bring your whole self to work. If you’re not your whole self, you're not going to be able to bring your whole self to your patients, who need all of you. Be who you need to be.”