Rana Dajani is currently a Yidan Global Fellow at Harvard Graduate school of Education, and a professor of molecular biology at the Hashemite University in Jordan. Her area of expertise is epigenetics and biomarkers of trauma among refugees. Through her leadership, she has introduced national and regional stem cell laws and presided over numerous scientific boards and United Nations councils, most recently as the President of the Society for the Advancement of Science and Technology in the Arab World.

A tireless supporter of building indigenous research capabilities in the developing world and creating a mentoring program to support women scholars in STEM that was recognized by the National Academy of Sciences.
A social entrepreneur and global thought leader, Rana founded We Love Reading, a grassroots initiative to create changemakers in underserved communities by fostering a lifelong love of reading. A recipient of the UNESCO International Literacy Prize, We Love Reading has established more than 8,000 locally run libraries in over 70 countries.

Her 2018 book Five Scarves: Doing the Impossible — If We Can Reverse Cell Fate, Why Can’t We Redefine Success? challenged global policy makers to address ongoing inequities in education and employment, while also putting forward a new paradigm for measuring success in an evolving world.

 

 

Abstract

Seeing what everyone sees but thinking what no one has thought

Curiosity, problem-solving, and human interaction are evolutionary traits that make us survive. How do we utilize these traits in our work as scientists to connect and communicate with society in creative and innovative ways rooted in our identity and philosophy?

As a scientist and social innovator, I will take my audience on a roller coaster of adventure to explore how to see beyond the obvious and how to be critical in a positive way. All the while aiming to take control of the narrative and leading to a better world where identity, science and culture are woven together into a tapestry of beauty that will leave us in awe of the universe..

 

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