MARIANA MACIAS
Philadelphia
Summary
Rising senior at the University of Pennsylvania majoring in Neuroscience with minors in Chemistry, Healthcare Management, and Legal Studies & History. Deeply interested in how brain chemistry shapes memory, behavior, and disease, with experience spanning clinical shadowing, youth neuroscience education, and hematology research focused on sickle cell disease. Especially drawn to topics involving neurotransmitters, neurodegeneration, and sleep, and committed to exploring how science, medicine, and policy intersect.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Finance Chair
Penn Lung Cancer Screening Initiative (PLCSI)
Philadelphia
04.2025 - Current
- Spearheaded logistics for student-led initiative to enhance lung cancer screening access.
- Coordinated efforts with Fox Chase Cancer Center to facilitate program development.
- Assisted in grant writing to secure funding for initiative expansion.
- Managed recruitment processes and pursued SAC recognition for project validation.
Delivery and Outreach Volunteer
Project Magnolia
Philadelphia
09.2024 - Current
- Coordinated with event organizers to schedule flower pickups.
- Repurposed flowers to assemble bouquets to minimize waste and provide free arrangements to hospital patients
- Delivered bouquets to Penn Presbyterian, HUP, and CHOP.
Volunteer - Nursing Home and High School Program
Brain Exercise Initiative
Philadelphia
10.2023 - Current
- Lead one-on-one cognitive sessions with residents at UWorld and Care Pavilion using BEI activity packets, which include arithmetic, sentence recall, reading aloud, and verbal exercises designed to support memory and attention
- Create and teach neuroscience curriculum for high school students at Northeast High School, covering neurons, brain activity, sensory systems, perception, and memory
Research Assistant, Abdulmalik Laboratory
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Philadelphia
01.2023 - Current
- Optimize the BOBS (Blood Oxygen Binding System) to measure hemoglobin-oxygen binding (p50 values) in whole blood and lysates; preparing data for a future manuscript
- Perform sickling and oxygen affinity assays to evaluate small molecules that inhibit hemoglobin polymerization.
- Run an independent project testing 14 novel compounds from a collaborating chemist for anti-sickling efficacy.
- Named as a co-author on two ongoing publications
Test Proctor
Weingarten Center, University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia
01.2024 - 12.2024
- Provided individualized exam support as a reader, scribe, and assistant for students with a range of accommodations
- Assembled, formatted, and organized hundreds of pages of exam materials across multiple courses and formats
- Monitored testing sessions to ensure fairness and prevent academic misconduct.
Medical Technology Intern
Diseño Desarrollo Médico
Philadelphia
06.2023 - 08.2023
- Observed live interventional procedures including cardiac catheterizations, pacemaker placements, and stroke-related surgeries
- Attended medical technology conferences and assisted with research on solutions for ischemic stroke
- Supported clinical operations by handling administrative and organizational tasks
Physician Shadowing
Advent Health Orlando
Orlando
05.2023 - 06.2023
- Shadowed a multidisciplinary cardiology team, including interventional cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, a nurse and a PA.
- Translated medical conversations for Spanish-speaking patients during appointments.
- Invited in July 2025 by Dr. Zahid Amin (AdventHealth Orlando) to present at CSI America (January 2026) as a follow-up to strong engagement during shadowing
Summer Scholar
Johns Hopkins Summer Intensive
Virtual (Due To Covid)
05.2020 - 06.2020
- Studied advanced medical topics through lectures and online lab simulations
- Conducted independent research and presented a final project on stroke intervention strategies
- Gained early exposure to clinical reasoning, neurology, and translational medicine concepts.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Neuroscience
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia05-2026
High School Diploma -
West Orange High School
Winter Garden05.2022
Skills
- Laboratory: Sickling assays, oxygen dissociation (p50) analysis
- Research: Scientific writing, literature review, data analysis (Excel), manuscript preparation
- Communication: Spanish fluency, public speaking, patient translation, student instruction
- Leadership and Initiative: Program coordination, student recruitment, grant writing
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Finance Chair
Penn Lung Cancer Screening Initiative (PLCSI)
04.2025 - Current
Delivery and Outreach Volunteer
Project Magnolia
09.2024 - Current
Test Proctor
Weingarten Center, University of Pennsylvania
01.2024 - 12.2024
Volunteer - Nursing Home and High School Program
Brain Exercise Initiative
10.2023 - Current
Medical Technology Intern
Diseño Desarrollo Médico
06.2023 - 08.2023
Physician Shadowing
Advent Health Orlando
05.2023 - 06.2023
Research Assistant, Abdulmalik Laboratory
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
01.2023 - Current
Summer Scholar
Johns Hopkins Summer Intensive
05.2020 - 06.2020
Bachelor of Science - Neuroscience
University of Pennsylvania
High School Diploma -
West Orange High School
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