Ghazal Panahi is an undergraduate student at the University of Calgary pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences with Honours, and a member of the Scholar’s Academy Program. Throughout her academic career and personal life, Panahi has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to uplifting newcomer and refugee communities and advancing women’s health. Through leadership, research, and compassionate advocacy, she transforms adversity into meaningful service.

Growing up in an immigrant family, Panahi came to understand firsthand the quiet pressures, sacrifices, and barriers that shape newcomer life. This lived experience grounds her work in a deep empathy for the social, cultural, and systemic challenges many families navigate, fueling her commitment to creating spaces rooted in care, dignity, and belonging.

Since 2024, Panahi has volunteered and worked with the Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth as a Program Facilitator and Tutor, supporting newcomer youth and immigrant families. She has led tutoring sessions to improve students’ academic performance and language skills, and develop culturally relevant lesson plans to ensure they feel supported both academically and socially. Through this commitment, Panahi has provided comprehensive academic and emotional support, helping newcomer youth adjust to the Canadian education system and build confidence.

Panahi has served as a Youth Mental Health Advocate and Speaker with the Ladies in the Family Foundation. In this role, she has led discussions on youth mental health with newcomer and immigrant parent groups, helping them understand the evolving landscape of mental health support. Furthermore, she has collaborated with numerous non-profits across the city, advocating for the incorporation of culturally sensitive mental health services, an essential aspect often overlooked in therapy and mental health research. To reach broader audiences, Panahi has also promoted awareness of mental health resources at various cultural events, encouraging families to embrace mental health practices and helping to break down barriers to seeking support.

Inspired by her family's experience with the healthcare system, Panahi is a strong advocate for equitable access to medicine and women’s health. Her passion for the field is evident in her research on Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), a condition that disproportionately affects women, and Long COVID, examining their physiological effects often resulting in debilitating symptoms that significantly disrupt daily functioning and quality of life. Since 2024, she has investigated POTS management strategies and aiming to improve treatment for affected individuals. Through her research, Panahi strives to contribute meaningfully to the scientific understanding of this condition and to help reduce healthcare inequities among underserved populations.

Rather than being constrained by the barriers she encounters, Panahi has chosen to confront them directly through advocacy, mentorship, and scholarship. She navigates systemic barriers while actively creating opportunities for women and newcomer communities. As an immigrant woman pursuing higher education, leadership, and research in spaces where racialized women remain underrepresented, Panahi has consistently transformed challenge into purpose-driven action.