In memory of Dr. Luna Abdallah
Dr. Luna Abdallah, the senior program lead for the Pre-Health Professions Certificate
Program (PHPCP), passed away in November 2022. Dr. Abdallah’s passion for public
education and social justice were the main drivers throughout her personal and
professional life. Her family has chosen to honor her memory by setting up this fund to
support scholarships for PHPCP students at San Francisco State. Dr. Abdllah’s colleagues,
students, friends, and family members came together and provided the initial funding for
the first scholarships under her name.
Dr. Abdallah earned her Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the Université Pierre et Marie Curie
in Paris, France. She worked as a research associate at the University of California, San
Francisco and taught at the University of San Francisco prior to starting at San Francisco
State University. Before her passing, she had taken on the lead role at the PHPCP after
serving for several years as program co-director and instructor within the College of
Science & Engineering.
Impact
Dr. Abdallah had a tremendous impact on her students and colleagues. Her memorial scholarship will continue to support highly motivated and deserving students in the Pre-Health/Pre-Nursing Post-Bac Certificate Program at SF State. Consideration can be given to individuals who have faced challenges. e.g. being the first in their family to go to college, supporting family members while going to school, holding down multiple jobs to support themselves. etc.