Maya graduated from the University of Chicago in 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences with a specialization in immunology and a minor in immunoengineering. She joined Dr. Anthony Reder’s research group in the first quarter of her first year, where her projects focused on characterizing the gene and protein expression profiles of multiple sclerosis patients. Her work identified novel interferon therapy-specific responses and expanded the scope of known multiple sclerosis subtype biomarkers. Maya is currently pursuing her PhD in Immunology at Washington University in St. Louis.
Passionate about deciphering the language of the immune system, Maya wants to one day establish her own laboratory investigating the neuroimmune dynamics driving autoimmune diseases.
Maya is half Turkish and half Italian but spent her childhood across the world in Istanbul, London, Geneva, Ho Chi Minh City, and Singapore. She is a United World College alumna. Maya spends her free time improving her Hittite grammar, playing the NYT spelling bee, and exploring St. Louis.
Scholar Voices Feature
Exploring Leadership and Innovation: McDonnell Scholars Visit Nestlé Purina
I had the privilege of visiting Nestlé Purina’s St. Louis Headquarters, an experience that profoundly broadened my perspective. One inspiring aspect was our deep dive into the Purina Institute’s R&D in nutrition science, particularly their research on microbiome and neurological health in pets. As a first-year PhD student in immunology, I was surprised—and genuinely excited to learn that Purina employs immunologists to advance pet health through nutrition. This opportunity illuminated career possibilities I hadn’t previously considered, highlighting how industry can be a dynamic space for scientific innovation and impact…Continue reading