“The opportunity to interact with such highly motivated and supportive students, faculty, and mentors has helped me grow, both academically and as a person. The bonds that I made enabled me to discover my passion for research and also helped me partake in community outreach and cultural awareness.”
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Elelbin Ortiz
Plans: Ph.D., Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania
B.S., Biochemistry
Magna Cum Laude
Hometown: Silver Spring, MarylandElelbin discovered her passion for neuroscience research as an accomplished biochemistry major and psychology minor. She earned an impressive list of academic honors, including being named a MARC U*STAR Scholar and Howard Hughes Medical Institute EXROP Scholar. She has also been an Undergraduate Research Award Scholar and twice received awards for work presented at UMBC's Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day. Elelbin has served as a chemistry tutor for three years and led the UMBC Hispanic Latino Student Union's efforts to raise funds to support juvenile diabetes research. Elelbin made lasting connections at UMBC that will help prepare her as she pursues her Ph.D. in neuroscience at the University of Pennsylvania.