Senior Nargiz Abadzada received first place honors for her research on gender inequities during pandemic
April 2025 – Drew University student Nargiz Abadzada C’25 recently won first place at the annual New Jersey Women’s and Gender Studies Consortium (NJWGSC) undergraduate colloquium for her research on gender inequality during COVID-19.
Abadzada presented her paper “Gender Inequities in Pandemic Responses: A Comparative Study of COVID-19’s Impact on Women in India and Brazil” at the event held at Rutgers University.
“Winning first place at the NJWGSC colloquium was such a meaningful and empowering moment for me,” said Abadzada, who came to Drew from Azerbaijan. “As a senior international student who came to the U.S. alone at 16, I’ve always been drawn to research that connects global issues with human rights and justice. Most of my academic work focuses on politics, immigration, and law—so diving into gender inequities in global health responses was a step outside my usual research focus.”
Abadzada, an international relations major and French and Francophone studies minor, was among students who presented research on topics ranging from HIV/AIDS in Eastern Europe to decolonizing curricula, to LGBTQ+ activism, to how gender is portrayed in literature and media.
“This project challenged me to think differently, to explore the lived experiences of women in India and Brazil during the pandemic, and to reflect on how gender intersects with public health and crisis response,” added Abadzada.
Abadzada plans to attend law school, focusing on the intersection of immigration and criminal justice. As she looks back at her time at Drew, she feels prepared.
“Drew has helped me shape my goals by giving me the chance to explore real-world experiences through programs like the New York Semester on Social Impact, my volunteer work with the International Rescue Committee, and classes like Refugees and Migrants, Race and Politics, and International Political Economy.”
The NJWGSC award is a timely reminder that her career aspirations are in reach.
“It was a day I’ll never forget, filled with learning, connection, and inspiration. Being recognized in such a powerful space reminded me that my voice matters—and that stepping out of your comfort zone can really pay off.”
