Reem Hakeem earns her PhD! – November 4, 2022
Program: Biochemistry and Biophysics
Advisor: James Bear
Reem Hakeem, Ph.D. earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and a Bachelor of Arts in French from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Driven by a passion for both science and languages, Dr. Hakeem pursued an internship at the Curie Institute, where she conducted research while immersing herself in a multilingual and culturally diverse environment. This experience significantly enhanced her scientific communication skills and cultural literacy.
Inspired by her time at the Curie Institute, Dr. Hakeem embarked on an extended research journey that included two years at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and culminated in her doctoral studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her dissertation research in Dr. Jim Bear’s laboratory focuses on durotaxis migration and the role of the cytoskeleton in this mode of cellular movement.
Dr. Hakeem has contributed to two scientific publications—one as a contributing author during her tenure at the NIH and another as first author at UNC. She has also demonstrated leadership in the scientific community, serving as both Logistics Director and President of the Triangle Cytoskeleton Meeting. Currently, she is an active organizer for the UNC Cytoskeleton Club.