Home: Toronto, ON. Age: 36. Birthplace: Casablanca. Profession: Medical research. Organization: Hamza Mbareche Consulting. Title: Research Scientist. Pronouns: He/Him/His. Alma mater: Université Laval (Ph.D., M.S., B.S.). Languages spoken: Arabic, French, English.
Current project: Research and consulting services to help make living and working spaces healthier and safer. Recent recognition: Ranked #19 out of over 7000 researchers in air microbiology by Expertscape. Recent professional development: Hamza Mbareche Consulting. Latest accomplishment: Found a potential therapeutic target for Crohn’s Disease through the development of a genomic method. Latest contribution to others: Offered bioinformatics training to fellow researchers. What’s been your big (or biggest leap)? Transitioning from academia to industry. Hobbies: Cooking, art, music, fitness. Recent travel or adventure: San Pedro, Belize. Last book read: The Obstacle is the way, by Ryan Holiday. Recently viewed and recommended: The White Lotus.
Personality profile: Open, intuitive, focused, accomplished, passionate. What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Disciplined. How do you define a perfect friendship? Authentic; based on honesty and being present in good times and bad. How do you define an ideal business relationship? Mutual respect, trust and open communication. What is your greatest joy? Discovering a new song that moves me; seeing people's reactions after they taste my cooking. What is your greatest fear? The impact of disinformation on our society. What word or phrase do you use far too often? Okay, let’s do it. What natural talent have you neglected? Songwriting. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? Teachers.
What three emojis best describe you? 🥹🤩🥰.
What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? Live music. What is at the top of your bucket list? Going on a family mountain hike. How do you relieve stress? Exercise and meditation. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? Good food.
What was your first paying job? Academic researcher. What was your favorite college course? I have two: Microbiology, and Leadership. What was your favorite childhood toy or game? Football (soccer). What book have you repeatedly read? Man’s Search for Meaning, by Viktor Frankl. What movie have you repeatedly watched? Gone in 60 Seconds. What’s the best advice you received growing up? Work hard. What’s the best advice you received in your career? Be bold. What modern technology innovation do you most appreciate? Artificial Intelligence. What is your favorite app? Headspace and Spotify. What company or organization do you most admire? Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières). What world event has had the greatest influence on your life? 9/11. What personal circumstance has had the greatest influence on your life? Surviving cancer.
What is your big idea? Improving air quality for homes, schools and businesses. What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field? Making air quality monitoring accessible to a wider range of people. What mega-trend most excites you? The applications of AI in healthcare. What mega-trend most concerns you? Climate change.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? Rising from Ashes: My Story of Resilience. What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? Donald Glover. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? With my family in a breathtaking natural location, sharing a good meal, listening to our favorite music, sharing our most treasured memories. What advice would you give your younger self? Start your journey of self-growth, go to therapy and meditate. What day in your life would you choose to re-live? A summer day in 2017, in Turks and Caicos. Fishing, stopping at a deserted island to swim, eating fresh fish, listening to music with not a single soul on the horizon, surrounded by endless ocean waters. What period in your life would you do differently, if you could? My early twenties.
Personal mission: To improve the environment and the health of people. Personal motto: Efficiency through discipline. Favorite quote: "You are the executive director and screenwriter of your life. You can decide what your life looks like" (Eric Thomas). Desired epitaph: Remembered with love and admiration, Hamza lived a life of resilience, courage, and service. His legacy of overcoming adversity and making a positive impact on the world will continue to inspire others for generations to come.
