A Story of Perseverance: Hadiyah-Nicole Green Shares Her Path to a Million Dollar Research Grant  

Hadiyah-Nicole Green likens her story to that of the little engine that could.

The 34-year-old assistant professor is the first in her family to go to college, let alone earn a doctorate. She’s also broken ground at her alma mater as the second African-American woman to receive a doctorate in physics from the University of Alabama in Birmingham (UAB). And by now, you’ve heard that Hadiyah-Nicole Green is the recipient of a $1.1 million grant to develop a cancer treatment. This woman is on fire.

But, despite her many accolades and recent celebrity – well, at least among black Americans – what stands out most are her humility and determination.  She radiates a positive aura, even when discussing past adversities.

Over the phone, she beams.

“The lessons learned, the heartaches, the struggles. I know that I wouldn’t be where I’m at now, if I hadn’t gone through those things,” says Green. No matter the difficulty, she counts her past experiences as blessings. “The process has been way too spiritual to make it purely academic,” she says.

Green spent 7 years completing her master’s and doctorate at UAB – developing a way to target cancer cells. As a graduate student she recalls seeing, and greeting, other black women in her department. Often they in were in support roles – secretaries, janitorial staff and lab technicians.

To say that graduate school for Hadiyah-Nicole Green had its challenges might be an understatement. “The struggles were real,” said Green when recalling her path toward a doctorate.

Green recalls calling home in tears. But her family – biological and church – were strengthening. Her late uncle, General Lee Smith, often gave her pep talks. “This ain’t nothing for a sucker like you,” he said. The physicist’s “village” constantly affirmed her.

A St. Louis, Mo. native, she says back home they called it “Souping your head-up’” – or, aggrandizing.  Green’s people gave her props, and she would practically brainwash herself into believing that she could achieve even her wildest dream.

And with this support, coupled with spirituality and a picture of President Obama (which hung across from her bed), Green was motivated: “If he [Obama] gets elected as president of the United States, I can get a PhD in physics,” she said.

But, of course, there were roadblocks. Haters gonna hate.

Among the doubtful, was a particular dissertation committee member. Green recalls him laughing at her, saying that she would never graduate. Green avowed, “I don’t have anything else in [professional] life that I want to go do.” Being a physicist was her professional passion and the 34-year-old resolved to succeed.

He finally agreed to give Green his approval if the committee unanimously passed it. And the world welcomed Dr. Hadiyah-Nicole Green.

Green received a doctorate in physics in 2012 – a year when according to the National Science Foundation, only 686 black women were awarded PhDs in STEM fields, and less than 100 of those degrees were specifically in science. In the same year her white counterparts (women and men) received 6,777 and 8,478 degrees, respectively.

“When I finished my PhD, I did not want to go back into the lab,” says Green. She took time to sort through her options. With nearly 12 job offers, she took a short-term position in Singapore. When she returned to the states, Green decided to take on an assistant professorship at Tuskegee University, with her uncle’s blessings. Months after assuming the post her uncle, a two-time cancer survivor, passed away.

Raised by her aunt and uncle — who both battled cancer — after the passing of her parents, the physicist didn’t want others to go through what they had to endure. She focused her professional efforts on cancer research.

Green didn’t want others to go through what her aunt and uncle had to endure so she focused her efforts on cancer research.

But winning a $1.1 million grant through the VA Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Research Scientist Training Program was no walk in the park.

“I never watch the clock when I work,” says Green. This includes whether she’s in the lab, or grant writing. “I set my goals, my tasks, and my to-do list and I just work.” She considers research a marathon, slow and methodical, not a sprint – this principle follows with grant writing. On her third attempt, Green received notice of intent regarding her grant in November. This means that, though the $1.1 million check has yet to be cut, it’s on the way.

“Having to apply three times is humbling because its not like I’m perfect and it’s been this fairytale story. Almost everything that I’ve done has been a struggle. But, the struggle has been worth it.”

Third time’s the charm.

“I really do believe in ‘give God the glory,’” says the physicist. And, she also gives thanks to those who have come before her, making Green’s opportunities possible. Sometimes when graduate school was hard she thought, “This is nothing compared to what my ancestors went through – picking cotton from ‘can’t see’ in the morning to ‘can’t see’ at night.”

The work in cancer research is more important than notoriety. “I’m just a vessel for God to use, it’s not really about me,” she espouses.

And Dr. Hadiya-Nicole Green chugs along with unshakable faith tethered to her affirmation: I think I can.