Zuha Ajlan, a neuroscientist, public speaker, and STEM advocate affectionately known as “Mama Dragon” by her mentees. She is the founder of Shadow A Scientist, a nonprofit launched in 2022 during her time as Vice President of the Wits Students’ Pathology Society, aimed at addressing the lack of opportunities for students in STEM—particularly in biology and biomedicine. The initiative has since impacted over 2,000 youth across three African countries, with chapters in Kenya, Lesotho, Cameroon, and at North-West University, supported by 60+ volunteers. Ajlan has also served as Director of Growth at Climate Cardinals, helping expand the organization’s global climate education efforts. With a mentorship record of over 30 Life and Health Science students and speaking engagements with organizations such as Golden Key International and HeyYouth!, she champions inclusive and empathetic STEM education. As an incoming PhD candidate in New Zealand, her research will focus on developing immunotherapies for neurological cancers, with aspirations of becoming a clinician-scientist advancing treatments for neurological disorders.