Perspectives Spotlight on Randa Abboud

Randa Abboud, is 1st year MS-RSM student in Dr. Joshua Halpern's lab. For her master's thesis, Randa is focusing on fertility preservation in transgender women. She is also actively involved in MS-RSM and CRS activities, serving on the MS-RSM student council and on the CRS DEI and Community Engagement committees. As a first generation Muslim woman, her heritage has contributed to her educational journey and she hopes to bring more awareness and advice to those who identify like her or want to know more.

 Thesis mentor: Dr. Joshua Halpern, MD, MS

Thesis title: Fertility Preservation in Transgender Women 

What brought you to join the CRS community, and what is your current position?

I found my passion in reproductive medicine halfway through my undergraduate career. Still, I wanted to dive deeper into academia prior to medical school, so I applied to the MS-RSM program! I am currently a rising second-year.

Could you describe your research?

We are conducting a retrospective and prospective multi-method study to comprehend the needs, attitudes, and desires of transgender women to optimize the care and outcomes of transgender patients at Northwestern University.

What do you hope to accomplish throughout your reproductive science career?

My primary goal in medicine is to contribute to dismantling health care disparities (racial, gender, etc.) and help cultivate a medical space that acknowledges individual experiences and backgrounds to create equitable, inclusive, and sustainable care.

What are important aspects of your heritage or identity that has shaped you and your career path?

As a first-generation Lebanese Muslim woman, my identity and heritage have entirely shaped and guided my path in academia and medicine. Islam played an essential role in my decision to pursue reproductive medicine, as procreation is a sacred right in the religion. Through personal experience and my studies, I found that reproductive health, specifically women’s reproductive health, was a highly stigmatized topic that is often discussed in destructive ways. Through Islam, I found the importance of gender equality (as all humans are created equal regardless of race, gender, class, etc.) and the sacredness of procreation with dissections of the Quran and statements from our Prophet Muhammed (Peace be upon him). Both honored women’s contributions and roles as mothers. Prophet Muhammed (Peace be upon him) once stated, “heaven lies beneath the feet of your mother.” I was able to destigmatize conversations about my own reproductive health as Islam taught me it was my right and duty to have these conversations, spread education on the topics, and further assist others to destigmatize their own reproductive health while I continue on my educational journey.

What would you like to see in terms of spreading knowledge or involvement in heritage or diversity awareness?

Islam is an incredibly peaceful, loving, and accepting religion that teaches Muslims equality and human rights. As Islam can often be disarrayed, I would love to see others educate themselves and others on the differences between culture and religion. There is a whole sector of academia dedicated to Islamic Feminism that explores gender equality in the Quran and Islam as a whole.

What is one piece of advice you would give to young scientists, like yourself, starting in their journey in science?

My advice would be to always stay true to your identity, as science can be such an inclusive environment that invites diverse perspectives, and share who you are with the world! Your uniqueness comes from your background, and your community – like my CRS community - will welcome you with open arms and open ears to hear your experiences, beliefs, and culture.