Maria Junaid

Hi, I’m proud to introduce myself as Maria Junaid, an incoming Cardea fellow from Houston, Texas in the class of 2027. I am incredibly excited to be a part of this amazing community and I can’t wait to explore the opportunities it presents. My Nigerian household has always surrounded me with a vibrant Nigerian community. I spent much of my life learning about the world through reading to explain things to myself, as my parents were immigrants and I became their main source of information. I learned how to understand the world and people around me, but my curiosity was never satisfied. Due to my interest in understanding people and the innerworkings of their mind I decided to pursue a major in neuroscience and a minor in psychology. I have had strong Nigerian women as role models who faced health disparities in healthcare, which they shouldn’t have had to endure.

My experiences have made one of my passions aiding underrepresented people in the healthcare industry. My previous work with the Houston Area Urban League allowed me to directly assist struggling minorities. Through this work, I have gained insight into how nonprofits work to create change. In my time at Duke, I plan to make the most of every opportunity presented to me, diving into research opportunities available. I plan to explore cognitive and behavioral neuroscience research labs. Beyond academics, I am eager to immerse myself in the Duke community. I am committed to creating a positive impact at Duke, creating long-lasting friendships and creating incredible memories