By Emily Williams
Returning from a trip to “the happiest place on earth” sparked an idea in the mind of Hoover High School student Rowen ElQishawi that is taking her to the International Intel Science Fair in Phoenix this month.
While frolicking through Orlando’s Walt Disney World, ElQishawi had no idea that an infestation of ladybugs would greet her when she returned home.
“When I walked in to my room, ladybugs were everywhere,” she said. “I walked in thinking ‘home sweet home’ and started to take off all of my stuff and by then I realized that there were two ladybugs on me crawling around and everything smelled really bad.”
Being naturally curious, ElQishawi decided to dig into the source of the smell, discovering that the cause was the blood of an Asian ladybug species.
Her brain made an odd connection. The ladybugs are Asian. A plant disease she learned about that ravages citrus trees is Asian. Could the blood of the Asian ladybugs can be used to create a pesticide with the potential to “cure” that disease?
Her approach attacked the psyllid, a small insect that transmits Huanglongbing, also known as HLB or Citrus Greening Disease, from one plant to another.
Her research proved successful. She was able to show that the ladybugs’ blood has the potential to be a cure for HLB, but she also found that it has potential as an antibiotic against certain strains of e-coli.
ElQishawi, with the help of her sister Rosen and her engineering mind, entered her project into the UAB-Cord Central Alabama Regional Science and Engineering Fair. Her project took first place in the environmental science category and was one of four promoted to the International Intel science fair.
“If it wasn’t for my parents saying it was a good idea or my child-like self saying to give it a try, I wouldn’t be here right now,” ElQishawi said.
An hour-long class devoted to independent study during the school day didn’t hurt either. The course was set up by teacher Janet Ort, who ElQishawi said has been one of her biggest supporters. Following Ort’s example, she tries to lend that same support to younger students she works with at Brock’s Gap Intermediate School.
“I always tell my students, the process of innovation has been one of the bumpiest ones I’ve ever encountered, but I can honestly tell you that I have failed my way to success. All you need to do is realize that there are many doors and that many of them will shut,” she said.
She said the slammed doors are sometimes a blow to her self-esteem, but her family has always been there to support her.
Representing Muslim Women
When she isn’t busy inspiring others, researching or taking a much needed break with friends, ElQishawi lends her time to another passion as a spokesperson for Muslim women. In early April, she took part in a panel through Leadership Birmingham where she had the opportunity to share her experiences as a Muslim woman in Alabama.
“I’m a really big advocate for changing people’s perception of Muslim women,” she said. “People think that Muslim women are oppressed and I would beg to differ.”
She grew up watching her mother wear a scarf over her hair, knowing it was a sign of piety in their religion, but she did not wear one until she reached sixth grade.
“When I wore it at first it was an experiment. I had always been curious and have seen my mother go out in a scarf and was familiar with what was going on in the world,” she said. Her first trip was to the library. There she was almost immediately met with a young boy who pointed at her and called her a terrorist, an experience that she says shattered her soul but also strengthened her resolve.
“If this is how people who haven’t even met me view me, then I’m going to wear this scarf and show people that Muslims are your scientists, your caretakers and they are your doctors,” she said. “We are human beings.”
She went on to say that she encourages others to ask her questions. Curiosity is something that led her to success in the sciences and it is something that leads her to tell others to be themselves, pursue what inspires them and use what they create to make the world a better place.
