From refugee to researcher

For Sadaf, a Monash scholarship meant more than financial support – it meant finally feeling like she belonged.

Her family fled political persecution in Iran and started over in Australia. Sadaf arrived with little English and learned quickly – first in detention, then at an intensive language school.

At home, she became the “family manager,” helping her parents and siblings navigate an unfamiliar new life.

It wasn’t easy. At school, some teachers dismissed her ambitions; one even tore up an assignment about her refugee journey. But Sadaf refused to give up.

In 2018, she received an Achieving Potential Scholarship and began a Bachelor of Science at Monash. She graduated in 2020, and in 2021 achieved First Class Honours, placing her among the very top of her cohort.

Today, she’s breaking new ground as a PhD researcher in neuroscience, studying how ageing affects the brain.

She is the first recipient of this scholarship stream to gain entry into a PhD program – a milestone that speaks volumes about her talent and determination.

Sadaf’s story is proof that scholarships don’t just open doors – they transform what’s on the other side: careers, leadership, and the chance to give back. That’s the lasting impact you create.