Zahra Lalani is a Physical Sciences major, with a minor in Environmental Studies, who is deeply committed to marine science, environmental chemistry, and impact-driven work. She was born profoundly deaf and uses a cochlear implant to help her hear. Having grown up in the UK, Pakistan and Kenya, she finds a strong sense of belonging at Yale-NUS College through the support of her suitemates, classmates and student organisations like YNDUS and the Afro-Society.
At Yale-NUS, Zahra has championed inclusion through the Intercultural Engagement Office—pioneering Heritage Day, co-hosting Sign Language tables, moderating panels on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), advocating for accessible policies, and organising vibrant events like Navroz and Navratri. Her efforts earned her annual nominations for the Yale-NUS Kingfisher Awards (an award that honours the contributions of students, staff and faculty members, as well as the achievements of student organisations), reflecting her dedication to building a campus where everyone feels seen and supported.
Zahra has embraced the liberal arts in full swing—from dancing in Bollybhangra flash mobs, learning about Japanese aesthetics in Kyoto, to sailing across the South Pacific. Her journey at Yale-NUS has been about both embracing every new opportunity to explore and learn, as well as creating a space for connection and belonging. As she graduates, Zahra hopes to honour the resilience and spirit of her class, carrying forward the lessons of courage, care, and connection that will always tie them together.
