PhD Student

Email: mlm453@cornell.edu

Maria Luisa grew up in Guatemala City and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Molecular and Cell Biology from UC Berkeley in 2023. Before starting graduate school, she conducted research in Dr. Megan Martik’s lab, where she investigated gene regulatory networks involved in cardiac neural crest cell development and their role in cardiac regeneration. Currently, her research focuses on using spatial transcriptomics to explore the role of non-coding RNAs in skeletal muscle regeneration and disease. Outside the lab, Maria enjoys cycling, reading, and spending time with friends—especially outdoors.