Zahel Nasari is a rising junior at Barnard College of Columbia University studying Computational Biology and Economics. She is interested in how advances in artificial intelligence and biotechnology can be translated into solutions that improve health outcomes at scale.

As a researcher at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Zahel contributes to the NIH RECOVER Initiative, a nationwide effort to understand the long-term effects of COVID-19. Through global health work in Uganda with Gulu Women's Economic Development and Globalization, she has supported maternal health initiatives and worked directly with underserved communities. These experiences have given her firsthand exposure to both the scientific and human dimensions of healthcare. Zahel applied to the Social Impact Fellowship to better understand how research can inform policy and social change. Through the program, she hopes to learn from leaders across sectors and develop the skills needed to translate evidence into lasting impact.