Biochemistry online grad melds empathy and education for patients
Arwa Hlayhel visited ASU's Tempe campus in November 2024 to complete her accelerated on-campus labs.
Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable fall 2024 graduates.
Arwa Hlayhel aspires to be the doctor she wished she had.
Since childhood, Hlayhel has always wanted to work in health care but her experiences with doctors — who were rushed, vague and impersonal — drove her to be different. Her experiences deepened her resolve to provide patients with the compassionate care that she feels was missing for her.
“It left me determined to keep going with my aspiration,” said Hlayhel, who is graduating summa cum laude from Arizona State University’s School of Molecular Sciences with a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry. “I want to provide better care for future patients. I want it to be personal, more attentive, and I want to be genuinely empathetic with them.”
Hlayhel who lives in Gilbert, Arizona, has a special affinity for the heart. She aspires to be a pediatric cardiologist, and use her skills to help children who need care the most.
As an ASU Online student who balances her coursework while working full time as part of ASU’s Starbucks College Achievement Plan, she says she wants to let fellow online students know that they are not alone in their challenges and to not be afraid to ask for help.
“With online schooling, you don't always feel like you have a circle around you, it's hard, but remember that you're not alone,” Hlayhel said. “Know that growth comes when you overcome struggles, and you're never really alone in that journey as long as you reach out to someone.”
We asked Hlayhel more questions about her time in ASU’s School of Molecular Sciences and her future plans.
Question: What's something you've learned at ASU in the classroom or otherwise that surprised you or changed your perspective?
Answer: During my in-person lab at ASU, I was partnered with someone who was chronically ill. Witnessing her dedication to learning, her perseverance and her willingness to accept the new challenges coming her way, opened my eyes to how inclusive ASU is.
Also, the fact that the School of Molecular Sciences opened up its on-campus labs for online students for the first time in this (fall) session was very nice. Over the summer, if I were to have done the summer session, I wouldn't have been able to go see my family back home in Lebanon. It may be the last time I get to see my family there because it's looking bad right now in Lebanon. I'm very, very fortunate to have been able to go when I did.
Q: Why did you choose ASU?
A: I wanted to be close to my family. I was born in California, but I moved here when I was four years old. Arizona is my home, and being close to my family is very important. It also was really nice to have the opportunity to stay in the area while getting an education. I work at Starbucks and they pay for my full tuition. Both of my brothers also went to ASU and my sister is planning on going to ASU.
Q: Which professor taught you the most important lesson while at ASU?
A: So, it was my English professor, Kristen Mowery. She had the biggest impact on me because she told me she really admired my attention to detail. I remember her telling me specifically that with my precision, dedication and attention to detail, I could achieve anything I set my mind to. That left a lasting impression on me. It encouraged me and reminded me that passion and diligence can break any barriers that you have, and it's just kept me going all this time.
Q: Where was your favorite spot for power studying outside of campus?
A: As an online student, I liked studying at Mythical Coffee in Gilbert, Arizona. It's very close to my home and it's very comfortable, and it has a motivating atmosphere. You see everybody on their laptop and working. So it's been my go-to for focusing when I have an exam or a lot of homework. It's really nice and convenient to have a place so close to home where I can study.
Q: What are your plans after graduation?
A: I plan on shadowing a doctor at Chandler Regional Hospital. I wanted to have an in-person shadowing experience with a doctor so I can decide if this is what I want to do, or maybe I'll see something that I find more interesting and go in that direction. But I plan on shadowing a doctor for at least six months while I'm applying to medical schools. Then the plan is to go to medical school.
Q: If someone gave you 40 million to solve one problem on our planet, what would you tackle?
A: I would work towards achieving world peace. It hits home for me because I have family in Lebanon and right now, they face relentless bombings. Their whole lives have stopped. I have a cousin my age, and he was supposed to graduate as well, but because of what's going on, he had to put everything on pause, and he doesn't know when he's going to graduate. There's so many countries right now going through very similar things. If we collectively focused on peace and understanding one another rather than power, land and money — what most wars are driven by — I think the world would be a better place. My hope would be to create initiatives, fostering education and humanitarian aid.
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