Rashaan was born and raised in Boston. With over a decade of experience in hospitality and customer service and a long-standing passion for math and science, he had been looking at opportunities to enter the life sciences industry, but was not having any luck getting interviews. He found Bioversity through a family friend. He graduated in March 2024 and has been in his role at Unity Lab Services, a Thermo Fisher Scientific division, since May 2024.  

In his role as Senior Site Specialist, Rashaan was contracted by Unity Lab Services to work at Eli Lilly and Company, a leading organization in the pharmaceutical industry. In his work for Eli Lilly at their Seaport location, Rashaan specializes in chemical and inventory management, providing day-to-day support for a variety of labs and their scientists so they can get their work done efficiently. 

Rashaan’s role as a mentor is a major part of his journey. As the oldest grandchild of 13, he is determined to set a great example for his family, inspiring them to pursue their dreams even in adversity. Since he started in his job, Rashaan has returned to Bioversity regularly to share his story with current students, offer advice about the job search, and talk about what it’s like to work in lab operations. Rashaan is regularly featured on STEM panels in the Boston area and serves as a mentor to high school students through Eli Lilly’s mentor program.