Ilham Matiker ’27

In summer of 2025, she interned at a cancer research lab at WashU School of Medicine where she applied computational tools to investigate the effects alterations of the SMC5/6 complex have on cancer patients. In the winter, Ilham traveled to Morocco with her Arabic class where they learned about the politics, culture, and rich history Morocco has to offer, along with an intensive language immersion program. On campus, Ilham works for Career Education as a Peer Career Health Mentor where she works with the Pre-Health Advisors to offer mentorship to pre-health students as well as weekly programming for the 1st and 2nd year Pre-Med Scholars cohort. Additionally, she works for the Wellesley Fund as a Philanthropy Ambassador, where she aims to educate students on the importance of philanthropy at Wellesley and support a culture of participation and engagement. In the Science Center, Ilham works in the Darling Lab where they investigate protein interactions in cardiac ion channels and as a lab Teaching Assistant for Organic Chemistry 1. Upon graduation, Ilham hopes to take a gap year where she will continue her exploration of global healthcare using the practical skills and connections she acquired at Wellesley.