Maria Camila Mejia Garcia Society for Freshwater Science 2025 Annual Meeting

Maria Camila Mejia Garcia

I am a first-generation college graduate who earned my bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Colombia’s National University in 2020, breaking free from societal expectations for women. Then, I began a master’s in applied mathematics and taught at the same institution. Currently, I am pursuing my Ph.D. in Mathematics and Statistics with Interdisciplinary Applications at The University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley. I serve as the president of the UTRGV chapter of the American Statistical Association. While my roots are in mathematics, my current research interests include statistics, data science, and applied mathematics, focusing on using Machine Learning techniques particularly in medical and environmental applications. I am dedicated to working with underrepresented groups in STEM, especially women, and as a person from a developing country, I hope to contribute to education and inclusiveness. I currently work as a Graduate Research Assistant at the ECS Lab at UTRGV. Outside of work, I have several interests that I really enjoy. I love dancing, reading, and exercising. Crossfit, cycling, and hiking are some of my favorite activities. I’m a friendly person, so I value spending time with my family and friends.