Mohamed Suufi

What’ve you enjoyed most about your area of study? Was there a particular discovery, new skill or way of thinking, or insight that you found especially valuable? Please share an example from your favorite class or experience.

I found my background in Science, Technology, and Society to enable me to see the work I do through a different lens. I love working on new tools and using technology to approach problems differently, but sometimes, it’s important to take a step back and acknowledge the bigger picture. Oftentimes, we can create technologies that sound beneficial in theory, but can be harmful in the long run. I remember this was one of the first things I got to truly understand after taking STS.004 my freshman fall with Prof. Fitzgerald. There’s so much intersection between technology and society, and neither can live without the other. It’s important to recognize the role each plays in the other. 

How does the knowledge from this field, or your interest in it, combine with your other major or minor studies at MIT?

My degree is in Computer Science & Molecular Biology. I am interested in developing new technologies to address healthcare inequities, but my knowledge of STS has taught me to be careful as to how I approach problems in the field. As much as we may have great intentions in mind, it’s important to figure out who is affected by our work and in what ways. Given the sensitivity of this work, it’s important to acknowledge who’s meant to gain from the project and how they may gain from it rather than making blanket assumptions.

An MIT education includes study in the scientific, technical, social science, arts, and humanities fields. How do you think that wide range of knowledge and perspectives will be valuable to you – for your career success and for your enjoyment of life?

I grew up being a huge history geek, and over time, as I got older, I have come to realize the significant role that historical events play in our everyday lives. Furthermore, these historic events tie very strongly with technology, and it’s critical to recognize how our society is shaped by it. My background in STS allows me to think about problems around me through a more human lens and allows me to think carefully about the implications of the technology I decide to work on now and in the future. These technologies we make can be the basis of large-scale systems, so it’s crucial to start on a good footing. I am always going to remember the stuff I’ve learned in these classes, they’ve truly been a wonderful experience.

What are your plans for the future?

I will be continuing onwards with my Master of Engineering in Computer Science & Molecular Biology. In the distant future, I hope to continue to work on addressing healthcare inequities through research and direct interaction with patient populations.