Born and raised in Queens, New York, Laiba Mahmood initially approached college without a defined sense of direction. As she prepares to graduate from Queens College as a Kessler Scholar, she stands on the threshold of a future in scientific discovery, with her sights set far beyond Earth.
Laiba’s transition from high school to college life came with both familiarity and new challenges. Advanced Placement classes helped prepare her academically, but the shift required a new level of discipline and intentionality.
“When I got to college, I wanted to be more involved with the community and cultivate myself as a scientist,” she said.
When Laiba was introduced to the Kessler Scholars Program at Queens, it quickly became a defining part of her college experience. From the Summer Bridge Program, which aided her transition to college, to ongoing peer mentorship and community building, the Kessler Scholars community provided both structure and a sense of belonging.
“I thought it was really nice to sit down with my cohort before classes started and get a feel for the campus, the services, and the people as part of the Kessler Scholars Program,” she said.
As a Kessler Scholar, Laiba was able to participate in the Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP) at the University of Michigan, where she conducted geobiology research that explored some of Earth’s earliest life forms. While analyzing samples from ancient geological formations, she welcomed the opportunity to connect further with her peers.
“My favorite part of SROP was connecting with other Kessler Scholars and talking about how the program impacted each of us individually,” she said.
From there, Laiba’s ambition carried her, literally, beyond Earth. With the encouragement of Chrystle-Claire Greene, Director of the Kessler Scholars Program at Queens College, she applied—and was accepted to—a highly competitive internship with NASA. She gained unique, hands-on experience studying planetary science, including work related to Jupiter and ocean geochemistry.
Post-graduation, Laiba plans to continue this work by pursuing a Ph.D. at Cornell University, with a focus on astrobiology and the study of habitable worlds. Her long-term goal is to contribute to future space missions and deepen our understanding of life beyond Earth.
Laiba credits the Kessler Scholars Program for her growth and hopes to create initiatives that expand access for underrepresented students interested in STEM, as well as further connections between the Kessler Scholars at Queens College and Cornell University.
“The Kessler Scholars Program helped me find my voice and identity within academics, alongside supporting my career endeavors, as a first-generation college student,” she said.
Her advice to future Kessler Scholars?
“Regardless of whether you have the experience or the time, always put your best foot forward because it will eventually pay off,” she said.