Maria Alexandra Artunduaga, a 2009–10 AAUW International Fellowship recipient, started her career in medicine at the early age of 16. That’s when she enrolled at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana medical school in her home country of Colombia. After her younger sister was born with cerebral palsy, Artunduaga decided to devote her life to helping children with disabilities.
After completing her degree in Colombia, Artunduaga moved to the United States and began work at Harvard Medical School, researching human genetics and ear malformations. Her work specifically focused on microtia, which is a formation of the external ear that is associated with deafness and other craniofacial anomalies. She explained that microtia primarily affects those of Latin and Asian decent and that reconstructive surgery is often not available to children affected by the condition. “I want the opportunity to provide form and function to children suffering from congenital malformations. When I accomplish this, I will be giving many children the opportunity that my sister barely had,” she explained.
Artunduaga received an International Fellowship in 2009 after starting her research at Harvard Medical School. When the lead scientist on her project left Harvard, Artunduaga found herself without funding for her research or access to most U.S. research grants. “AAUW was my savior! I was so lucky to have found the International Fellowship program. … Without it, I don’t know what I would be doing now.”
Artunduaga will soon be starting her residency at the University of Chicago’s Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery program. The residency will allow her to master reconstructive surgery techniques and apply her research skills to new projects. Additionally, she plans on remaining involved in promoting technological and education reform in Colombia and beyond. “I plan on continuing traveling abroad with medical missions. This time I won’t be on the bench; I will be at the operating table!”
AAUW applauds Artunduaga’s dedication not only to the medical field but also to social change. Artunduaga explained that while it has been a long journey to obtain a residency position, she received a great deal of support from mentors who pushed her to follow her dreams. “Although it has taken me a long time, every single effort was worthwhile. I would do it all over again if I had to!”
AAUW would like to congratulate Artunduaga on her acceptance to the University of Chicago’s prestigious residency program, and we wish her the best of luck in the upcoming years!
This post was written by Fellowships and Grants Intern Mia Cakebread.
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