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Maria Rojas

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Finalist

General information

Location
Fresh Meadows, NY
Age
18
Gender
Female
US Citizenship
US Citizen
Ethnicity
Hispanic/Latino
Religion
Christian
Church
Catholic

Hobbies & Interests

  • Psychology
  • Philosophy
  • Theology and Religious Studies
  • Accounting
  • Reading
  • Writing
  • Poetry
  • Photography and Photo Editing
  • Graphic Design
  • Advocacy And Activism
  • Astronomy
  • Astrology
  • Volleyball
  • Foreign Languages
  • Education
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Medicine
  • Global Health

Reading

  • Religion
  • Academic
  • Adventure
  • Art
  • Biography
  • Christianity
  • Cultural
  • Tragedy
  • Magical Realism
  • Romance
  • Literary Fiction
  • Psychology

I read books multiple times a week.

Bio

My name is Maria Fernanda Rojas, known as Mafe, and I am a first-generation Colombian senior at Saint Vincent Ferrer High School in New York City. I’m passionate about neuroscience and mental health awareness, aspiring to become a neurosurgeon specializing in neuro-oncology to improve lives through research and patient care. Writing and poetry have shaped my journey. Through Writopia Lab, I developed my creative voice, earning multiple Gold and Silver Keys in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. I was honored to be a student speaker for the 2024 NYC Scholastic Gold Awards and a speaker for the NAACP. As Editor-in-Chief of the Literary Kaleidoscope anthology, I oversee the design and content featuring our work in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards blog. I’m also a finalist for the Eber & Wein Publishing contest. Beyond writing, I’m dedicated to service. As founder of the Saint Catherine Prayer Society, I led seasonal celebrations and created the “Grace Lounge,” a space for students to share their struggles and find support. I mentor immigrant children at the Dominico-American Society of Queens, helping them improve their English and math skills. Additionally, I volunteer as a translator at Villas Servicios Múltiples Queens, assisting Latino immigrants with the U.S. citizenship process. With biochemistry, organic chemistry, and neuroscience coursework at Enigma-U, I’m eager to expand my knowledge by volunteering or interning in a neuroscience laboratory to contribute to meaningful research.

Education

St Vincent Ferrer High School

High School

2021 – 2025

GPA4.0 GPA

Miscellaneous

Desired degree level:
Bachelor's degree program
Majors of interest:
Neurobiology and Neurosciences, Medicine, Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other, Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology, Biopsychology
Medical school interest:
Yes

Career

  • I assist seniors with errands, grocery shopping, prescriptions, and provide companionship. This experience has taught me the importance of emotional support and how vital it is to listen to their stories, showing them they are valued.

    Medical Practice · HHA

    Jan 2024 – Present

  • In this nursing home, I assisted elderly residents with daily tasks, including feeding, pain management, and organizing activities. This experience deepened my understanding of caregiving and taught me to find joy in life's simplest moments.

    Medical Practice · Corporación Corazones Abiertos

    Jan 2024 – Jan 2024

  • I gained hands-on experience as a Dental Assistant. I learned patient care, dental terminology, and office administration, developing both technical and communication skills while building professional relationships in healthcare.

    Dentistry · Dental Magic in Medellín, Colombia

    Jan 2022 – Jan 2024

  • As a Translator and Bilingual Office Assistant, I assist Latino clients in an immigration office by providing translations and administrative support. I prioritize clients' needs and offer both practical help and emotional support.

    Legal Services · Villas Servicios Múltiples Queens

    Jan 2022 – Present

  • As an Academic Tutor, I volunteered to support low-income students with subjects like Biology, Algebra and English. I helped them build confidence, improve academic skills, and develop study strategies, contributing to educational equity and success.

    Education · UPchieve

    Jan 2024 – Jan 2024

  • As a Regional Director and Team Leader, I lead initiatives to empower youth through wellness programs. I teach the five pillars of health and create content, fostering social justice and community well-being while developing strong leadership skills.

    Civic & Social Organization · KARMANT Learning

    Jan 2024 – Present

  • As a tutor, I provided one-on-one literacy support, enhancing students' reading, vocabulary, and comprehension. By fostering engagement and building strong connections, I helped bridge learning gaps, reinforcing my passion for education and mentorship.

    Education · Reading Partners

    Jan 2022 – Jan 2024

  • As a student at Outschool, I gained essential financial literacy skills, learning budgeting, saving, and investing. Through interactive projects, I built confidence in managing money and applying real-life strategies for future financial responsibilities.

    Financial Services · Outschool

    Jan 2023 – Jan 2024

  • At Writopia Lab, I refined my writing through workshops, earning Gold and Silver Keys in the Scholastic Awards. I spoke at the NYC Gold Key Ceremony and the NAACP, sharing my voice on larger platforms. My poem Midnight Isolation was a semifinalist.

    Writing and Editing · Writopia Lab

    Jan 2023 – Jan 2025

  • As Editor-in-Chief of The Literary Kaleidoscope, I lead design, editing, and layout for our school's anthology, featured in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards blog. This role has enhanced my leadership, creativity, and public speaking skills.

    Graphic Design · Scholastics Art and Writing Awards

    Jan 2023 – Present

  • At the Dominico-American Society of Queens, I mentor Hispanic immigrant children, helping them improve their English, Spanish, and Math skills. I create engaging lessons that spark curiosity, empowering students to embrace learning.

    Education · Dominico-American Society of Queens

    Jan 2023 – Present

Miscellaneous

Dream career field:
Medicine
Dream career goals:
My vision is clear: In 2029, I will graduate from Villanova University with a degree in cognitive behavioral neuroscience, complemented by a peace and justice minor. This foundation will lay the groundwork for my long-term aspirations. By 2033, I will graduate from The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, equipped with the expertise to enter the surgical field. At 30, in 2038, I will be in the fourth year of a seven-year neurosurgery residency at Weill Cornell Medicine, specializing in neuro-oncology. I will also establish The NeuroBridge Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to brain wellness and educational opportunities for underrepresented Latino communities. My future path has been shaped by my sensitivity to suffering and a determination to help those silenced by status. Growing up in poverty-stricken areas in Colombia, I witnessed many lacking coverage for health resources, which awakened my motivation to serve. Struggles with unaffordable healthcare within my family intensified my resolve to advocate for equitable treatment for low-income groups. My mother’s involvement with the Alzheimer’s Association further energized this conviction. It opened my eyes to the devastating effects of neurodegenerative illnesses, kindling a deep respect for the cerebrum and setting ablaze a desire to take action. Visiting elderly residents with Alzheimer’s in nursing homes, I saw the heartbreak of memory loss, reinforcing my commitment to finding pathways to alleviate anguish by reviving function and offering hope. Immersing myself in peptide inhibitor research and engaging with my biochemistry professor, a Cornell researcher, amplified my vocation for restoration. This drive evolved into an undeniable calling to cure through the precision of brain surgery, blending scientific discovery with the hands-on skill to remove the source of pain and renew vitality. My professional and community ambitions will center on achieving concrete results in neurosurgical mastery and enriching the lives of diverse populations. The residency program will guide me toward life-saving surgeries while accelerating breakthroughs in conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Though demanding, the reward of celebrating a patient's smile after overcoming a critical complication will make it worthwhile. I will sharpen the discipline of meticulousness and embrace the duty of transforming the operating room into a stage of harmony, a privilege that will be my greatest. At the intersection of curiosity and public outreach, The NeuroBridge Foundation will develop. My team and I will promote inclusion by delivering neuroscience workshops, mentoring aspiring professionals from disadvantaged origins, and providing free assessments to identify neurological disorders. We aim to empower people from all backgrounds by increasing exposure to caregiving spaces and enabling them to pursue medical careers despite challenges. I will continue pushing the boundaries of brain disease studies, ensuring well-being is a fundamental right. Each procedure will reaffirm my devotion to preserving human dignity. My mission is to unite my enthusiasm for neuro-oncology with my responsibility for civic engagement, inspiring leaders to revolutionize society with the healing power of compassionate practice. My loyalty to medicine will steer me in the direction of excellence, continually nourished by my love for others.
Has nursing license:
No

Future Interests

  • Advocacy
  • Volunteering
  • Philanthropy
  • Entrepreneurship
Maria Rojas Student Profile | Bold.org