Merat Semma (DC '26) is a molecular biophysics and biochemistry major from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with a fervent commitment to addressing global health challenges. Growing up in Ethiopia, she witnessed the profound impact of female genital mutilation on women's health, even in her family. Her transition from Ethiopia to the U.S. revealed stark disparities in healthcare systems, igniting a deep-seated commitment to address these disparities among developed and less developed nations. Merat aspires to become a physician and is involved in research focused on investigating the resistance of human mRNAs to Sars-CoV-2 as potential therapeutics. On campus, Merat serves as the vice president for Women in Chemistry. She serves as a special events coordinator for both Yale Ethiopian and Eritrean Students Association and Yale Women’s Center. She has co-founded and led a dance group, Desta, at Yale. Additionally, she volunteers at the Yale New Haven Hospital pediatric unit to contribute to the local community in New Haven. In her free time, she loves to stay in and have chill, light-hearted conversations with her suitemates.