Karim Mikhail’s journey at the University of Alabama at Birmingham has been shaped by a commitment to feeding his curiosity and connection. Mikhail, a double major in neuroscience and philosophy, found a collaborative environment at UAB where he could thrive pursuing his passions in both STEM and humanities.

Mikhail, an Honors College student and resident of Hoover, was drawn to the university’s strong mentorship culture that allowed him to turn ideas into action with just a single email. In classrooms and labs, he honed his abilities to listen, lead, think and learn while forging meaningful connections with friends and faculty.

His time at UAB has been marked by institutional and national accolades. He was a proud Goldwater Scholar in 2024 and was selected for the Clinton Global Initiative University and World Congress on Undergraduate Research in 2023. At UAB, he was runner-up for Mr. UAB and received the Charles William Ireland Scholarship, UAB Honors Convocation Award, and College of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award, among others.

As he prepares for medical school, Mikhail is excited to carry the lessons and values he cultivated at UAB forward, ready to become the kind of physician who makes every person feel seen, heard and at home.

“I am very thrilled to be starting medical school,” Mikhail said. “With my degree in neuroscience and philosophy, and all of the interpersonal experiences and skills I’ve gained at UAB, I feel confident that, as I am entering the next stage of my education, I can become the physician I’ve always dreamed of becoming.”