Ala’a Elshaar has a degree in anatomy and neurobiology from BU School of Medicine. She is the sister of Noor, who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at the age of 5 months and received her gift of a double lung transplant 16 months ago, at the age of 30. Ala’a is Noor’s primary caretaker and serves as her advocate whenever possible. Ala’a has spent the last 10 years of her life working in the areas of clinical research and medicine, and also as a humanitarian, embarking on five psychosocial missions to refugee camps to work with orphaned children. Among her most important work is advocating and speaking out on the causes closest to her heart.