Oak Mountain grad Ameen Barghi named Rhodes Scholar

Oak Mountain High School graduate Ameen Barghi is bound for Oxford.

Barghi, a senior neuroscience and translational research major at UAB, was named a Rhodes Scholar on Nov. 22. Next fall he will be one of 32 U.S. students to receive an all-expenses-paid graduate education at Oxford University in England as a part of the prestigious scholarship program.

He began the process as one of 877 applicants nominated by their universities. From that pool, 256 undergo a rigorous interview process.

Barghi said it is an immense honor to be considered for the scholarship and he attributes his success to his school and community’s investment in him. He plans to further his education in clinical neuroscience while at Oxford.

In 2013, Barghi was also named a Goldwater Scholar, giving him a premier scholarship for students pursuing scientific or mathematic research. To him, it showed that all of the work he had put into his research had culminated in a success for himself and his university.

After graduating from Oak Mountain in 2011, Barghi said he was prepared for the demands of college level classes and research through rigorous advanced placement courses and programs available to him at OMHS.

“Taking these classes really helps you get a glimpse of what a college education is like, so much earlier than many people get the opportunity to,” Barghi said. “So, I am eternally grateful for that kind of setting and that kind of academic environment.”

His interest in neuroscience began with reading Changing Brains by Norman Doidge and working at UAB hospital with patients undergoing stroke therapy. Barghi’s time with the patients inspired him to not only conduct research but also to treat patients. In order to accomplish this goal, he hopes to go to medical school and earn an M.D. as well as a Ph.D.  

“I wanted to be a pivotal part of their process of both their pre and post-recovery therapy,” Barghi said.

 Growing up in the 280 community allowed him to grow up with the same people from fourth grade all the way to graduation, Barghi said, creating an incredible support system.

“[They] not only knew me personally but knew what I wanted to do professionally and they made resources available for me to be able to achieve what I wanted,” Barghi said.

Barghi said that the support of his community has allowed him to grow personally and believes that the same support contributes to the growth of the community as well.

In ten years, Barghi sees himself running an NIH-funded lab where he not only sees patients but also works with collaborators to do bench science, potentially in the greater Birmingham area.

“Not only is [the greater Birmingham area] a great place to raise children, it’s also a great place to grow professionally,” Barghi said. “I’ve seen a lot of junior scientists come here and take advantage of  the resources we have and really excel and become senior scientists leading their field nationally and internationally.”

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In 2011, 280 Living interviewed Barghi as a part of feature on high school valedictorians. Below are his responses as a high school senior.

What is your favorite class you’ve taken and why?

AP Calculus BC because it’s the easiest. It just makes sense. There are no gray areas; it’s either right or wrong.

What is the most challenging class you’ve taken and why?

AP Latin because it’s so much material. It’s the hardest language because you don’t speak it.

What are your plans for college? How did you arrive at them?

I got into the Early Medical School Acceptance Program at UAB and will major in neuroscience.

What are you considering as a major or career path or life plan?

I think I’ll continue in neurology or neurosurgery. I have been doing research on neurology research on clinical and scientific stroke therapy at UAB since tenth grade. I started volunteering through UAB’s teen volunteering program, and the professor told him to stop volunteering and come work with him.

What motivated you in your studies?

My parents constantly tell me if I don’t’ end up on the streets, I need an education. Every time I make below 95, I get the Jeff State, burger-making speech.  Also, the people I hang out with also take like seven AP classes too, and there’s a subtle competition to see who does better.

Who or what do you credit for your academic success?

My mom because she commands the academic agenda in the house. She always makes sure we don’t Facebook too much or playing nine hours of Xbox on school night.

What is your favorite memory from high school?

Latin Convention is like one free day in a school environment you can do anything. There are supposed to be rules, but no one follows them.

What will you miss about your high school?

The people you’ve grow up with since like third grade. You’ll never be in an academic environment where you’re with people for that long.

Any secrets for studying—a place to go, a type of music to listen to memorization tricks, etc.?

I always use acronyms to memorize things when I am studying. I also study as close to the test date as possible, aka procrastinate hard core.

Tell me about your of your quirky habits.

My pen has to be a G2. They write really fast. I spin my pens during class. It used to fall, and teachers would get mad. But now I’ve gotten good at it, and my teachers have gotten used to it.

What is one interesting fact about you?

I speak three language: Turkish, Farsi and English.