Hiba Durrani of Aurora, IL has been named Benedictine University’s Lincoln Academy Student Laureate. Durrani is a Health Science major who in her three years at Benedictine University has achieved a cumulative GPA of over 3.8. She will graduate in spring 2023 and plans to attend medical school.

Durrani was recognized at an on-campus ceremony by Charles Gregory, Benedictine University President, and Kenneth Newbold, Benedictine University Provost and Chief Academic Officer.

The Lincoln Academy of Illinois presents the award to a student from each of the four-year, degree-granting institutions of higher learning in Illinois. This year’s Lincoln Laureate receives a certificate signed by Governor Pritzker, a Student Laureate Medallion, a $500 stipend, and a challenge coin all to encourage these students to live in the spirit of Abraham Lincoln, providing leadership that inspires and transforms the world and to model integrity, courage, honesty and empathy to others.

According to the Benedictine University Honors Committee, Durrani exemplifies the Academy’s criteria of “overall excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities.” She amply demonstrates the Lincoln Laureate characteristics of courage, empathy, and integrity, along with showing strong leadership in the wider community by being actively involved in the Benedictine University Doctors Without Borders club.

Durrani is currently engaged in a research project with Benedictine Associate Professor Dr. Jayashree Sarathy that studies the effects of probiotics on bile acid-induced dysfunction using human colonic epithelial cells, T84. The goal of these studies is to identify novel therapeutic strategies to target diarrheal symptoms in patients with irritable and inflammatory bowel diseases.

According to Durrani, her professional goal to become a physician has been reinforced throughout her undergraduate career via her participation in physiology research through the Benedictine University Natural Science Summer Research Program, clinical jobs, and volunteer service.