More than 20 years ago, Gulnara Zaynullina ’05 received what she considers the best birthday gift—admittance to Brooklyn College. After graduating with degrees in political science and philosophy and law, she founded a successful women-owned wholesale company. Driven by her early desire to make a positive impact on the world, she has returned to Brooklyn College on a pre-med track. Today, she is conducting cancer research while pursuing a biology degree with a concentration in biochemistry and psychology, with the ultimate goal of becoming a doctor.

Why did you choose Brooklyn College the first time around?

My friend was a student at Brooklyn College and highly recommended it to me. The two of us were sitting at work toward the end of the day, and he said he received something from Brooklyn College asking him to invite friends to enroll. I looked at him and I said, “Let’s go.” We went to the Admissions Office, and they were very helpful. I emigrated from Uzbekistan with my mother and sisters and had been in this country for less than a year. Admissions told me I could take the entrance exam in two days with a high school diploma from my home country. I took the test and two days later I got the result—I passed. I remember it was my birthday and it was the best birthday gift ever, getting admitted to Brooklyn College.

So you earned two degrees here, in political science and philosophy and law. What made you come back 20 years later?

When I graduated in 2005, I knew I wanted a career where I could make a real impact and improve people’s lives. I was one of the first recipients of the Magner Career Stipend, and with that I landed a prestigious internship at Human Rights Watch where I was subsequently offered a research consultancy. After graduating, I founded Eldorado Global Trading Group, a women-owned wholesale beauty company. After some time, I realized that I wanted to become a doctor; this is how I would make an impact. The choice of schools for pre-med was immediate: Brooklyn College.

You’ve received some help from the college.

And that has helped me move forward and stay on track for a medical career. This past January, I shadowed orthopedic and plastic surgeons in Pune, Nashik, and Raipur, India, during surgical camps thanks to a Tow Undergraduate International Research Stipend. I observed reconstructive and orthopedic interventions in underserved patient populations, among other things. Then Zicklin Scholars Degree Completion Program Award has helped me to accelerate my degree coursework over the summer.

How has Brooklyn College changed you as a person?

Coming to the United States from Uzbekistan, I knew that adjusting to life in a new country would be one of my biggest challenges. Brooklyn College quickly became a community that welcomed me, supported me, and helped me grow into a more confident, resilient, and open-minded person.

How is Brooklyn College transforming your career path today?

As a premed student, I’ve built a strong academic foundation while also developing the skills needed to thrive in the professional world. I continue cancer research in Dr. Murat Cevher’s lab, and this past spring, I completed a fully funded NYU Langone EMT training program. A summer internship at the Brooklyn College Cancer Center gave me valuable research experience and prepared me to apply my knowledge in real-world settings. The internship was supported by award from the Gray Foundation.

If you had to convince another student to go to college here, what would you say?

Word of mouth is the best recommendation, and I think that we, as students, are the best spokespersons for the college. I would say that you will get the support you need, and the faculty members here are caring and highly supportive. The relationships that I have formed here with professors have lasted 20 years—I’m still in touch with professors from my first undergraduate years.

Do you have any advice for your fellow students?

Get involved—join a lab, a club, or a service project. For instance, I’m an Undergraduate Student Government senator and a member of the college’s Policy Council. The relationships you build will change your trajectory. Dream big, work hard—and as the actor Audrey Hepburn said, “Nothing is impossible—the word itself says, ‘I’m possible.’”