Moorpark College is currently celebrating Women’s History Month and women in science by hosting a presentation by science professor, Melia Tabbakhian.
“I wanted to present and include a voice from the sciences for Women’s History [Month] because I think it’s really important that women are represented in all fields, especially those that are not quite dominated by women yet,” Tabbakhian said.
Tabbakhian teaches several classes in the science department ranging from Microbiology to Physiology. She is also on the Multicultural Day Committee.
On March 18, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., Professor Tabbakhian will be giving a “jack of all trades” presentation on women, science, culture and the impact of Familial Mediterranean Fever.
Familial Mediterranean Fever, FMF, is a genetic auto-inflammatory disease that causes recurrent episodes of painful inflammation throughout the body and affects women’s fertility, according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
FMF is a recessive disorder that is prevalent in females of Armenian, Turkish, Arabic, and Jewish descent. Eighty to ninety percent of those with FMF will experience abdominal pain, joint and muscle aches, vomiting, and high fevers.
“I wanted to do a presentation [on FMF] because there isn’t a whole lot of research done on this particular disease. There are no cures for it, so I think it would be important to kind of [introduce the] disease to people who don’t know about it,” said Tabbakhian.
Although Tabbakhian herself does not suffer from FMF, a close family member of hers does.
“I promised her that one day I’d either do research on it or a presentation on it to bring more attention to this disease,” Tabbakhian said.
Moorpark College is hosting a series of faculty lectures and this will be the third installment. The event will be held in the CCCR room located inside of the cafeteria in the Campus Center.
Professor Tabbakhian, with a life goal of inspiring young women around the world, encouraged females to explore the male-dominated science industry and not be afraid to stand out.
“Branch out and do things that [you] are uncertain about because you never know where you’re going to find your passion,” Tabbakhian said. “Do things that you don’t even know you want to do yet because you won’t know if you like it until you try it.”
