UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
Iya Abdulkarim is a designer, biologist, and incoming medical student. She earned her B.A. in Biology magna cum laude with Departmental Distinction from St. Olaf College and is a Texas Design in Health Distinguished Student Scholar at the University of Texas at Austin. She is pursuing an M.A. in Design focused on Health and anticipates leveraging her knowledge and experience in design throughout her medical training and practice. As a passionate interdisciplinary innovator, she finds great joy in drawing the connections between seemingly disparate fields and ideas. She also enjoys drawing on paper, digitally, or whatever medium lies within arms reach when inspiration strikes.
WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL INSPIRED?
Many things! Off the top of my head, I find the undeniable examples of design in the human body to be incredibly inspiring. Anatomical artwork in particular leaves me in a state of awe, ruminating on both the frailty and strength of the human body which requires nothing short of a miracle to function daily.
WHAT ARE YOU READING/LISTENING TO/WATCHING?
I am currently reading Heart: A History by Sandeep Jauhar, and listening to the Heartwork podcast by Qalam Institute. Clearly there is a theme here . . . I keep curiosity and creativity at the heart of my pursuits, within and beyond the classroom.
WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD?
Fully entering the field of design as a graduate student means I have learned a great deal from some incredible designers across sectors. I look up to the faculty I have studied under in the M.A. in Design focused on Health program.
