Mekedlawit Setegne

Mekedlawit Setegne(she/her) is a Ph.D. candidate in the Chemistry doctoral program at Stanford and a Graduate Fellow of the ChEM-H Chemical Biology Interface program. She works with Prof. Laura Dassama to develop tools for therapeutic intervention via modulation of transcription factor BCL11A, a validated target for improving outcomes in Sickle Cell Disease. Mekedlawit graduated from Rice University with a B.S. in Chemistry. While she has a variety of experiences in chemistry and biology techniques, the thread that pulls it together is developing and implementing chemical tools to probe basic biology relevant in human disease. Outside of her science, Mekedlawit is passionate about mentorship and creating and strengthening inclusive programs that develop the next generation of Black, Indigenous, and other underrepresented minority scientists. She is motivated by the idea that the impact and innovation of science gains much by creating diverse and inclusive space. She has extensive experience leading student and university organizations, advocating on behalf of BIPOC students, and mentoring a wide variety of undergraduates and graduate student scientist in the lab and as program coordinator for DEI summer programs initiatives for Stanford’s School of Humanities and Science. Mekedlawit was a part of the Peer Learning Consultant Program and served as Lead Learning Consultant and Peer Academic Coach from January 2021- September 2023.