My name is Maria Gabriela Ruiz, but I go by Gabby. I am a first year MPH student at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, and I am in the Maternal and Child Health program. I have a BSc in biology with a concentration in molecular cell physiology, as well as a minor in gender studies. These areas of study have prepared me to pursue my passion for public health and closing healthcare disparities for women and families of color both domestically and around the world. My internship experiences have been in women’s health, specifically in the medical field, so I have a solid understanding of the clinical, biological, and technical aspects of health.

My main interests in public health are maternal and infant mortality, reproductive health, and female genital mutilation. Though narrowing my career choices down has been difficult because I want to do it all, I would probably like to go into something like research and policy, consulting, or even start my own NGO one day.

Being a first-generation college student as well as a first-generation American has given me a significant toolkit to deal with the issues concerning women and families today, like my ability to communicate with a broad range of people. I am fluent in both English and Spanish and can do my best with some remedial French. My hobbies include spending time with my family, going for long walks, and trying my best to learn new languages (I am on Italian right now!). I am so excited to be a part of the MOTHER Lab and I plan on learning as much from this amazing team.