---
title: "Rising to the Challenge: Maria Azevedo '26 | Manhattan University Magazine"
url: "/news/magazine/spring-26/maria-azevedo-rise-to-the-challenge"
type: page
date: 2026-07-28
updated: 2026-07-28
---

# Rising to the Challenge: Maria Azevedo '26 | Manhattan University Magazine

Manhattan University Magazine - Spring 2026

# Rising to the Challenge: Maria Azevedo '26

*Words: Matthew Perrino | Photographs: Ryan Montemarano*

 

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      ![Photo of Maria Azevedo '26 in a chemistry lab with laboratory equipment](/sites/default/files/styles/4_3_327w/public/media/2026-07/maria-azevedo-26.jpg?h=c6980913&itok=5FOqwIGB) 

 

 

It's been an interesting journey to Manhattan University for Maria Eduarda Azevedo '26. She was born and raised in the state of Bahia, Brazil. As Azevedo says, she was “always surrounded with good values, good food, good music, and an extremely loving and supportive family.” But one thing she didn't have was access to private healthcare insurance. Growing up in Brazil, her family relied entirely on the public healthcare system. “While the system is designed to serve everyone, it is not always able to meet every need,” she explained. “When you are sick, you are in a vulnerable position. You depend on knowledge and support that you may not have.” Azevedo experienced this dilemma herself when a close family member became ill during her adolescence. For nearly three years, she accompanied this family member to countless medical appointments, witnessing firsthand how complex and overwhelming navigating healthcare can be. “Seeing this from a young age shaped the way I understand healthcare, not just as a science, but as a deeply human experience,” she said. “From childhood, I felt drawn to being on the other side of that experience. It inspired me to pursue a career in medicine and to become someone who can guide, support, and advocate for patients as they navigate similarly challenging situations. I wanted not only to understand how the body works, but to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to help others during their most vulnerable moments.”

Azevedo's experience solidified her path. She knew she wanted to work in medicine but didn't know where in higher education to pursue this goal. That, however, soon changed. While in high school, Azevedo participated in the RISE Challenge, a global initiative designed to identify and support young people committed to community service and solving global issues. The RISE Challenge selects 100 global winners each year, offering lifetime benefits, including scholarships, mentorship, and funding for their projects. Azevedo submitted a drinkable rainwater project to the RISE school; she was selected as one of the 100 global winners, an opportunity that granted funding for her undergraduate studies. For Azevedo, this incredible support opened many doors to higher education, including to colleges in the United States, a path that greatly intrigued her. “I wanted to experience life away from home and grow not only academically and professionally, but also personally,” she explained. “I was also looking for better opportunities for career development, which meant moving away from home. So, I decided to try studying and starting a new life in a new country.” Leaving her family in Brazil wasn't easy. But as Azevedo says, “They are by my side, regardless of distance. Everything I do is for them, to share with them, to make them proud.”

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    ![Headshot of Maria Azevedo '26](/sites/default/files/styles/original_aspect_ratio_400/public/media/2026-07/maria-azevedo-26-vert.jpg?itok=gQu2EBEr) 

Azevedo wound up enrolling in Rhodes College in Tennessee as an undecided major, and she did it without ever stepping foot on campus. In fact, her first time visiting America was when she traveled to Rhodes College by herself at the start of the first semester. There was definitely a bit of culture shock when she initially arrived. “The social values are pretty different, from concepts of race and ethics to how friendships and social interactions are built,” she said. “I also miss Brazilian spices, steak, and fruits.” Azevedo completed a semester at Rhodes College but didn't feel like it was the right fit for her. She came to realize that she wanted to be in a place where she could immerse herself more fully in both personal growth and diverse opportunities. This led her to explore institutions in New York City, one of them being Manhattan University. “From my very first interaction, the transfer admissions team at Manhattan University was exceptionally welcoming and supportive, especially Elena Kreatsoulas,” said Azevedo. “This strongly influenced my decision to transfer.”

Azevedo transferred to Manhattan University for the second semester of her freshman year. And this time, she had found the right fit. “MU is truly a place where deep and lasting connections can form,” she said. “I have met people here who have become fundamental parts of my life, and I know I will carry them with me well beyond my time at the University.” Azevedo is now a biology major, pursuing a pre-health concentration. In conjunction with this, she served as a patient advocate at Saint Barnabas Hospital, where she observed the fast-paced environment of the emergency department while supporting patient care and communication. Azevedo also worked as an assistant in an endocrinology clinic, where she gained hands-on experience with clinical procedures, such as taking vital signs and assisting with blood work. In this role, she also served as a translator for Portuguese-speaking patients, helping bridge communication gaps in a highly diverse clinical setting. “One particularly meaningful experience involved communicating biopsy results to a patient in their native language, ensuring they fully understood their diagnosis,” she reflected. “Feeling I was part of the chain who took that burden off of his shoulders was incredible.” More recently, Azevedo was accepted into the CHAM Leaders Program at Children's Hospital at Montefiore, where she will begin shadowing in the neonatal department.

On top of this, Azevedo has managed to carve time out of her busy schedule for research projects. She conducted summer research through the Kakos Research Program, where she investigated the impact of gene-linked cholesterol levels on seizure activity. After submitting her work for consideration, Azevedo's research was selected to be a part of the Sigma Xi Conference. Since then, she's been assisting Bryan Wilkins, Ph.D., with molecular research at his laboratory within the Chemistry and Biology Department. “Dr. Wilkins has been an exceptional mentor,” she said. “I am excited to continue working with him in upcoming summer research.” But Azevedo's extracurricular activities don't end there. She's also involved in a number of organizations and societies. She participates in Conversations to Remember, a student-led initiative aimed at reducing social isolation among seniors. Through weekly virtual interactions, she helps foster meaningful relationships and provides companionship and emotional support, contributing to improved well-being and connection for older adults. Azevedo is also the secretary of TriBeta, MU's Biology Honors Society, where she helps with general organization, sends emails and reminders to members, and assists with events. She also serves as the Mentorship Coordinator for Alpha Epsilon Delta, MU's Pre-Health Honors Society. There, she organizes the peer mentorship program, pairing younger classmen with juniors and seniors to help guide them in resume building, LinkedIn networking, and career development. Additionally, Azevedo is a contributor to the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB), reporting on member news, professional achievements, and developments within the biochemistry and molecular biology community at a national level. She also works as a tutor at the Center for Academic Success. On top of that, she's involved with the Biology Club and the Psychology Club. Azevedo also hopes to soon be inducted into Sigma Xi for her research history and selection at the Sigma Xi Conference.

Of all these achievements, what's Azevedo's greatest accomplishment so far? “It's been my ability to fully immerse myself in diverse opportunities: research, leadership, clinical experience, and service, while staying grounded in a strong sense of purpose,” she said. “Navigating this path as an international student has come with its own set of challenges, requiring resilience, adaptability, and a strong sense of self-direction. Along the way, I have faced moments that pushed me to step back, reinvent myself, and learn how to seek support. These experiences taught me that growth is not always linear, but it is always meaningful. I have a deep internal drive that keeps me moving forward, even in uncertain moments.”

So what are Azevedo's plans after graduation? She plans to remain in New York City and work as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) while preparing for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). She also wants to take time to travel and spend a lot of time with her family back in Brazil. After that comes the challenge of medical school, though Azevedo feels ready for it. “Manhattan University has provided me with rigorous academic training, and meaningful research opportunities,” she said. “The combination of coursework and leadership experiences here has strengthened both my technical skills and my commitment to service.” Azevedo plans to remain in America for medical school and already has her eye on Albert Einstein College of Medicine, an institution that she's actually been working with for the last year. Upon graduating, she'd like to be a doctor that specializes in emergency medicine, neurology, or cardiology. “My ultimate career goal is to have a multidisciplinary role,” she said. “Working as a physician while also advocating for health equity programs and collaborating with organizations that promote public health. I hope to contribute to reducing healthcare disparities both in the United States and outside.” Azevedo isn't sure whether she'd stay in America beyond medical school and work as a doctor here. But at this point in her journey, there is one thing she is sure of: herself. “I have learned to trust myself, to recognize how far I have come, and to continue striving for more,” she said. “I remain committed to growing, working hard, and dreaming bigger with each step I take.”