Omid Hariri ’07

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Ambitious, passionate, and tenacious, Omid Hariri embodies what every student strives to be. Hariri will leave UCLA in fall 2006 with both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree, and a plan for the future. He will attend medical school and become a doctor, and perhaps a medical scientist, as well. A passionate researcher, Hariri was admitted to the Howard Hughes Research Program, the most prestigious undergraduate research program at UCLA. In this program, undergraduate students not only conduct their own research, but also criticize and discuss contemporary research and discoveries. In pinpointing the strengths and weaknesses of new research, Hariri believes he can improve his own research techniques. This program is one of great importance to Hariri, and he plans to stay involved and contribute long after graduation.

Hariri is also the managing editor of the UCLA Undergraduate Science Journal. He mentors undergraduate researchers, offering helpful advice to improve their research. Hariri is also passionate about his involvement in the UCLA Blood Drive because the donated blood saves lives and money for the UCLA Hospital. With the money saved, the hospital can improve other areas of patient care.

Taking his interest of science, health and medicine a step further, Hariri is a founder of the Fellowship for International Services and Health (FISH). Through FISH, Hariri, who is a trained EMT, and his colleagues travel to Tijuana, Mexico monthly to provide medical services to low-income and impoverished individuals. He remembers a time when a grown man was deeply grateful for receiving a pair of old glasses because he could finally see clearly. "With this program, we’re not just focusing on medicine or research anymore…we’re actually helping people.” He hopes that this program will grow and expand; currently, the students are funding the project themselves.

Amidst his many responsibilities and activities, Hariri still finds time to play. He loves to swim, hang out with friends, read poetry, and recently has taken up salsa dancing.

“UCLA is the place where I can do what I desire to create something important. I have gone this far because UCLA has provided me the opportunities to be able to reach this period of achievement.”