My yesterday

My passion in scien  ce started when I was a child, and it increased as my education level got higher. When I was in high school, I majored in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Afterwards, I successively got enrolled into the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) to study Chemistry and Biology. After obtaining my bachelor’s degree, I started to work at the Dar es Salaam University College of Education as a tutorial assistant. While working I applied to undertake further studies in universities in the USA, China, and Canada. Finally, I was able to secure a opportunity at Henan University (HENU) to studyBiochemistry and Molecular Biology with university scholarship. After arriving at HENU, I was introduced to School of Basic Medical Sciences for my coursework, and later I joined the Kaifeng Municipal Key Laboratory of Cell Signal Transduction for carrying out research. In the lab I met amazing teachers and students, and suprisingly even some other foreign students. And we worked close with each otherunder the guidance of Prof. Xinying JI.

My today

Now I have successfully completed my Master’s Degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology from Henan University. This experience will be forever etched in my memory.  Although this is a hard work, it also yielded a lot. The study itself gave an extensive view of the cancer cell proliferation and inhibition studies throughout the time. My understanding of the complex heterogeneous multifactor and generis nature of the cancer itself got deepened. I have not only become more aware of the basic and fundamental routes of cancer onset and growth but also come to think about recent advancement in the treatment of cancer especially prostate cancer.

My first year in China was the most exciting year for me since everything was new to me. I really enjoyed the courses that I was taking since they were very inspiring and engaging. It was my first time to work with teachers and students from various countries.  It was exciting to attend classes, seminars, symposiums and workshops. It was interesting to learn through collaboration with other students in the class. During my first year of study, I not only gained knowledge and skills needed for research, but also learned the importance of embracing teaching as an opportunity to inspire, engage, and empower students.

In my second year, I started my research project, exploring the effect of the pharmacological inhibition of hydrogen sulphide-producing enzymes in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.  At the beginning of 2020, while Covid-19 was raging in much of the world, our laboratory was closed for six months. The six-month lockdown in China are days of lessons, experiences, hope and courage for me. I pay countless thanks to ourInternational Affairs Office for their thoughtful care forforeign students in dorms. I utilized those six months on screen work for literature review and writing review articles. All the people around me were very supportive, and I felt a sense of brotherhood with my Chineseclassmates and love and humours from my Pakistani colleagues. This all-friendly environment of our laboratory helps to polish my basic cell biology techniques: PCR, Western Blot, Cell Culture and Tumor growth analysis..  

Last year of my study was very challenging and tough for me. I worked very hard each day and finally succeeded to complete my research project and wrote the thesis. Now I am used to the life in China, and Kaifeng is like my “second home.” Currently, I have submitted my thesis and prepared documentation for graduation. Myresearch journey is like a hiking trail. When you stand at the starting point, you are not sure what you will go through, whether you will encounter beautiful scenery, and how long it will take. I see new research projects as a new journey. No matter how much research you have done before, it is always great to start with a fresh mind and open to unexpected experience.

My thoughts and experience about studying in China

The technological advancement is the key difference between the education offered in Africa and China especially in science. With the rapid change in technology and the innovation of highly sensitive and accurate scientific instruments, studying in China offers easy and quick availability of consumables, chemicals, equipment, and modern laboratories which makes it easy to perform experiments and obtain good data.

For students, support from the university is key in achieving goals. HENU offers good learning environment. It also funds my studies and provides assistance when needed. Besides, it also holds lots of social activities for us, perticularlly the yearly culture festival, which helps us to socialize and learn interesting cultural values of other countries.

In the lab, I get to learn current molecular techniques by using modern instruments and equipment. Under the management of Tao LI, the lab provides all the necessary materials, reagents and any assistance needed. In addition, through workshops and weekly meetings I get a chance to learn presentation skills and communicate with students and teachers from other labs.

I really appreciate the guidance of the teachers in the lab.They are very crucial in guiding me and my colleagues to master both the theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Prof. Xinying JI and Prof. Dongdong WU have been very helpful and supportive in many ways such as providing review writing training and experimental guidance.

Since I was one of the first foreign students in the lab, I learned most of the techniques from Chinese students. The guidance of Pengzhen DONG and Yage CHEN, Nazeer, Salma and others is essential in improving my technical skills. I love HENU. I love China. I will never forget the fruitful and happy experiences in Kaifeng, Henan, China.

What I Feed Back to HENU: My Achievements

I have earned huge respect, love, skills and professional development. Along with the accomplishment of research project “Effect of the pharmacological inhibition of hydrogen sulphide-producing enzymes in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer” I published   research papers in prestigious academic journals as first author and as co-authors with Nazeer Hussain Khan and Saad Ullah Khatak.

My dream and Future Plan

My dream is to be a successive researcher and a scientist with the vision of helping to solve chronic health problems facing the world. I joined the Cell Signal Transduction Laboratory to study the regulation of cellular oncogenic markers and their resulting effects. To improve my skills, I also dedicated my free time in learning up-to-date knowledge and skills by reading articles and publications related to my field.

Holding fast to my dream, my future plan starts with contributing to the scientific community by not only publishing in top journals, but also providing useful and meaningful data. Ultimately, to use the knowledge and skills I have learned to help solving health problems facing the world. I am also looking forward to worldwide scientific collaborations in the future, especially collaborations with Chinese institutes. My all efforts will be streamed to establish well equipped laboratory of my domain.

(From: Medical School)