Get to Know HFC: Nagham Mehdi shows students how biology connects to every aspect of life
HFC biology instructor Nagham Mehdi has always been amazed by how the human body works.
“I discovered how exciting it is to uncover new information and understand how living things function,” said Mehdi. “Teaching became the perfect way to share this excitement. I love helping students understand biological processes and see that biology is not just facts, but how it relates to and connects to every aspect of life.”
A native of Beirut, Lebanon, and the eldest of four, Mehdi immigrated to the U.S. in 2010. She lives in Dearborn Heights with Taleb Ammar, her husband of 15 years, and their three children.
“I am a mom whose kids are obsessed with sports,” she said. “They play football and basketball. They also play the piano. I love watching them. I also volunteer at their school and am involved in community work.”
Contributor to student success
Mehdi – who speaks fluent English, Arabic, and French – completed high school and her undergraduate work in Beirut. She earned her bachelor’s degree in biochemistry at the Lebanese University, where she also completed some graduate coursework. She later earned her master’s degree in environmental science at the University of Michigan-Dearborn.
Mehdi has been in higher education since 2022, where she began as a part-time instructor at the College. She did private tutoring in biology and chemistry. Mehdi joined the HFC faculty full-time for the Fall 2025 semester and reports to Dean Janice Gilliland of the School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
“We are pleased to welcome Nagham Mehdi to the biology faculty full-time,” said Gilliland. “After an extensive search, she accepted a full-time position beginning in Winter 2025. Known for her dedication and care in the classroom, she consistently works to reach every student while upholding high academic standards. We are excited to have her as a valued member of our department and look forward to her continued contributions to student success.”
True learning impacts the future — for students and for teachers
This semester, Mehdi is teaching:
- Introduction to Biology
- Organisms, Genes, Ecology
“The best part of teaching biology is seeing the students make connections between what they learn and what is happening around them in the real world,” explained Mehdi. “It is nice to see them learn about something they are interested in and might pursue as a career. Helping students understand biological concepts and seeing them apply their knowledge, then see them do great things later in life is so rewarding for me as a teacher.”
The most challenging part is being able to meet the needs of all the students who come from different backgrounds, have different learning styles, and have different learning experiences, while keeping them engaged.
“Many students are fighting a battle in their lives that we know nothing about,” she said. “Our style of teaching and what we invest in as teachers – time, care, and energy – can affect their learning and the decisions that they make with regard to academics.”
Mehdi discovered that she really enjoys teaching at HFC.
“The role of a community college is to prepare students – whether they’re international, local, returning, or coming directly from high school – and build the confidence they need and a strong academic foundation that will allow them to transfer to a four-year university or enter the workforce,” she said. “It is our job to make the experience fun, positive, and productive. The best part of being in higher education is the positive impact that we can have on the student's life. What we do as professors will help shape their educational journey. I love the fact that we have the chance to keep learning and improve personally and professionally through professional development and collaborating with colleagues.”