Bridging Tradition and Innovation: Abbas’ Journey in Science, Faith & Impact

Step into another inspiring episode of the Global Impact Council Podcast, where teens empower teens to change the world.

In this conversation, host Maya Ayoubzadeh sits down with Abbas, a 12th-grade student whose mission is to preserve what matters while pushing the boundaries of innovation. From conducting immunotherapy research using computational biology and Nobel Prize–winning tools, to elevating his community by securing official language credits for his heritage tongue Lisana Dawat, Abbas shows what it truly means to lead with both heart and purpose.

Together, they explore:
💡 How a family member’s medical journey sparked Abbas’ passion for biomedical research
💡 His bold leap into cold-emailing professors and finding a mentor
💡 The long, challenging process of advocating for language recognition at the district and state level
💡 How faith, values, and scientific curiosity can coexist — and even strengthen each other
💡 Why meaningful impact takes time, resilience, and reflection

Abbas also shares how he’s working to bridge the gap between tradition and innovation, and why he believes students don’t have to choose between honoring their roots and advancing in modern fields like medicine and research.

If you want to hear a powerful story about perseverance, culture, leadership, and the courage to start — this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen now, be inspired, and grow your impact.
And be sure to check out Abbas’ own show, Conversations in Science and Faith, available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more.