The daughter of Iraqi refugees, you trained in medicine and public health, and set out to make the world a healthier place for children. When you began to hear of unexpected conditions affecting children in Flint, Michigan, you were determined to find the cause. Denied access to data that would have most directly solved the mystery, you devised a way to sleuth through hospital records, which pointed to high levels of lead in the public drinking water. Knowing the harm being spread every day, you took the calculated risk of going public before your work could be peer reviewed. You were immediately attacked and condescended to by a great many in authority. That is until further study proved you right, and steps were finally taken to right the matter. Using your powers to thwart danger and protect countless children makes you a Wonder Woman of Science. At this point in the story, Superman would probably head home to catch the NBA Finals. But Wonder Woman persists! Sensitive to the lifelong challenges these children face, you launched, and continue to lead, an initiative to provide ongoing monitoring and support. What an awesome adventure—one for which we await breathlessly the sequel.
I hereby declare you recipient of the honorary degree Doctor of Science, entitled to all the rights, honors, and privileges appertaining thereto.
June 3, 2018