Oak Mountain grad Ameen Barghi named Rhodes Scholar
RACHAEL HEADLEY280 Living
Oak Mountain High School graduate Ameen Barghi is bound for Oxford.
Barghi, a senior neuroscience and translational research major at UAB, was named a Rhodes Scholar on Nov. 22. Next fall he will be one of 32 U.S. students to receive an all-expenses-paid graduate education at Oxford University in England as a part of the prestigious scholarship program.
He began the process as one of 877 applicants nominated by their universities. From that pool, 256 undergo a rigorous interview process.
Barghi said it is an immense honor to be considered for the scholarship and he attributes his success to his school and community’s investment in him. He plans to further his education in clinical neuroscience while at Oxford.
In 2013, Barghi was also named a Goldwater Scholar, giving him a premier scholarship for students pursuing scientific or mathematic research. To him, it showed that all of the work he had put into his research had culminated in a success for himself and his university.
After graduating from Oak Mountain in 2011, Barghi said he was prepared for the demands of college level classes and research through rigorous advanced placement courses and programs available to him at OMHS.
“Taking these classes really helps you get a glimpse of what a college education is like, so much earlier than many people get the opportunity to,” Barghi said. “So, I am eternally grateful for that kind of setting and that kind of academic environment.”
His interest in neuroscience began with reading Changing Brains by Norman Doidge and working at UAB hospital with patients undergoing stroke therapy. Barghi’s time with the patients inspired him to not only conduct research but also to treat patients. In order to accomplish this goal, he hopes to go to medical school and earn an M.D. as well as a Ph.D.
“I wanted to be a pivotal part of their process of both their pre and post-recovery therapy,” Barghi said.
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