Mekdes Kedir Awol

Position title: Cohort 10 Scholar

Hometown: Hossana, Ethiopia

Major(s): Pre-Pharmacy track

Question and Answer with Mekdes:

What is a fun fact about your hometown?

A fun fact about my hometown is that “Enset”, also known as false banana, is an important source of traditional food. It is used to make several traditional dishes and has been an important part of the local culture and food traditions for generations.

What are you looking forward to doing during your degree at UW-Madison?

During my degree at UW–Madison, I want to join the Pre-Pharmacy Club to connect with my peers and learn more about the field. I look forward to exploring research and other opportunities in campus. I am also excited to join the Wisconsin Hoofers clubs since I like doing outdoor activities and trying new things I’ve never done before. In Madison, I would like to go kayaking on the lakes and try skiing in the winter.

Why do you believe that the King-Morgridge Scholars Program at UW-Madison is important to the institution, state, and world?

The King Morgridge Scholars Program is highly important as it supports students who are talented and passionate but lack the financial means to attend. It enriches the campus community by bringing students from all over the world. The Program also goes hand in hand with the Wisconsin Idea, which is to work beyond the classroom, to the state and to the world. It fosters the idea of the Scholars and gives them the opportunity to give back to their community and contribute to alleviating poverty. Additionally, it creates a network of future leaders who work together to address critical world problems.

Are there specific issues in poverty alleviation or development that you would like to work on or are currently addressing?

Using my pharmacy degree, I would like to work toward making medicines more accessible in my home country. The use of herbal medicine is very common in Ethiopia, but due to a lack of appropriate guidance and research, people may use these medicines in incorrect amounts or combinations. Therefore, I want to work research on how to appropriately integrate herbal medicines with modern healthcare. This could help make treatment more affordable for many people while also reducing Ethiopia’s reliance on imported medicines. Moreover, I want to work in patient care, where I can help people access the right medications and receive appropriate treatments.

What do you like to do in your free time?