Maya Richards '28

Maya is concentrating in Biochemistry and aspires to attend medical school after graduation. She is also pursuing minors in Spanish and Creative Writing. As an undergraduate researcher in the Tumbar Lab, Maya investigates the roles of the Alk1 receptor and perineural cells in regulating homeostasis and inflammatory responses in the epidermis. During the academic year, Maya serves as a ballet teacher and Activities Coordinator for the Ithaca chapter of Ballet and Books, an outreach committee member of Cornell United Way, and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Chair for Salsa Pa'lante. She is also a member of the Biology Scholars Program and is a Study Group Leader for CHEM 2070/CHEM 2080. Last summer, Maya participated in an internship in the Tumbar Lab, where she continued working on her research project. This summer, she is participating in a medical internship with Intern Colombia as a part of the CALS Global Fellows Program. Maya will be volunteering in a pediatric facility for children with disabilities and complex illnesses. In her free time, Maya enjoys reading and writing poetry, dancing, running, and cooking new foods.

Her advice to freshmen:

“There is no single right way to go through college. Everyone's path is different; as such, comparing your trajectory to someone else's will prevent you from seeing the ways in which your experiences are meaningful. An opportunity you pursue to grow academically, professionally, and personally is the right decision.”

College: CALS

Tutoring: BIOMG 1350, BIOG 1440, BIOEE 1780, BIOG 1500, CHEM 2070/2080, CHEM 3570/3580, CHEM 2510, PHYS 2207/2208, MATH 1120

Email: mgr87 [at] cornell.edu