Current Position: Microbiologist/Quality Lab Associate at Hikma Pharmaceuticals
Story Posted: Summer 2024
A 2019 graduate of Harry S. Truman High School, Badr Fask was drawn to GMercyU for its small community, campus setting, and its foundation for student success.
“I fell in love with how beautiful it was and also for being the right size,” Badr said of his first visit to campus.
Experience in the Biology Program
Badr initially chose his Biology major out of interest in the field, although at the time he didn’t have a specific career path in mind. However, that changed as he connected with his professors and learned where his major could take him after graduation.
Dr. McEliece and Dr. Lettini were my guardian angels, and they are the reason I have succeeded in where I am today.
Badr named Developmental Biology and Ecology as his two favorite classes. He also enjoyed completing research under the direction of former faculty member Dr. Maria Winters. The experience deeply resonated with him, giving him a better understanding of cancer.
As a Biology major, Badr was able to build meaningful relationships with faculty but also with other students. GMercyU’s close-knit community made all the difference in his academic and social experience in college.
Launching His Career
After graduating in May 2023, Badr secured a position as a Microbiologist/Quality Lab Associate at Hikma Pharmaceuticals. In his role, he is primarily responsible for identifying numbers of colonies and, once certain microorganisms have been identified, determining if they are gram – or gram +.
Badr also helps with data analysis and performs environmental monitoring for certain rooms, utilizing SMA machines and agar plates to determine if the rooms are clean depending on CFU counts.
