Our Super Scholar this week is not only an academic champion, she’s a Kung Fu champion! Meet Samar, from Cairo, who is a first-year student at Ain Shams University studying in the Materials and Nanotechnology Program. She won a gold medal recently in the under-20 women's division at the Greater Cairo Kung Fu Championship.

“I love science. It was my childhood dream to study in a university science faculty. And my parents, who are my role models, encouraged it. I dreamed of being a scientist in a research laboratory, exploring and inventing new things. When I heard about the impressive new science of nanotechnology, I did not hesitate to enter this magic world. The thing I enjoy most in this program is how our program coordinator, Dr. Tamer Abdallah, makes us love our studies. He always encourages me to do my best -- in my studies and in sports also.

“I have been involved with Kung Fu since I was 6 years old. What Kung Fu has taught me about myself is that I am a perfectionist. I always seek to be 100%. Maybe 99% is good, but inside I see that 100% is better. Kung Fu has made me very patient. I can train for a whole day without feeling that I am tired because I want to learn a new skill -- this has helped me be good at studying. I am also skilled at leading teams because of my experience as assistant coach on my Kung Fu team. So, I can lead any team wherever I am.

“The thing I like most about Kung Fu is that I feel like I am a butterfly. I feel very light and I can jump, run, and fight. I can defend myself. I can do anything. I dream of teaching every girl this sport!

“My dream is to be a genetic engineering and nano-oncology researcher. We must confront cancer and microscopic viruses with science!”

Samar, with your perfectionism and passion for sports and science, USAID hopes you will keep winning gold -- in Kung Fu and, someday, maybe from the Nobel Foundation, too!