My name is Rosely Maurín Arana Meredith and I was a Global UGRAD participant in 2013. I had the amazing opportunity to study at Murray State University in Kentucky. Since that time, I feel part of a wonderful group of people whose values and desires have always been to help others in different areas with the tools learned through the Global UGRAD Program. Upon return to my country, I started my fourth year of undergraduate studies and in 2016 and did an internship as a Medical Laboratory Scientist in the National Laboratory in Totonicapán, Guatemala. During that process, I worked on a research thesis with a fellow student. Our topic was “Frequency of Metabolic Syndrome in Men and Women between 45 and 65 years that go to the laboratory of the National Hospital of Totonicapán.” Due to the results of this study, my goal is to continue promoting a healthy lifestyle for the patients as well as raise awareness of chronic diseases such as diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease.
In November of 2018, I graduated as a Bachelor of Biochemistry from San Carlos University of Guatemala. Now, I am looking forward to pursuing a master’s degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in Texas. Apart from Biochemistry, music has also always been a passion for me. I started to study at the National Conservatory of Music in Guatemala when I was 6 years old and since that time, I have been blessed by representing my country in Panama, El Salvador, Germany, and the United States. Now married, I continue singing at church and working on a project to record a CD with songs that represent my country and my faith. Being a Global UGRAD has been an exciting journey that I get to be part of when helping to solve problems, reaching and sharing with others from different backgrounds and cultures, and growing personally and professionally.
Written by Rosely Meredith, 2013-2014 Global UGRAD student from Guatemala at Murray State University