Maria is a second-year Ph.D. student in Dr. Huizhi Wang’s lab studying oral immunology and how inflammatory drivers such as Porphyromonas gingivalis perpetuate the development of oral tumors. Her current research focuses on the regulatory role of HDAC6 in this process. Maria also holds a bachelor’s degree in immunology and infectious disease from Pennsylvania State University. She is keenly interested in enhancing the relationship between basic science research and policy implementation to progress both patient care and overall public health. Maria believes that often it is not a lack of research that contributes to a lack of health improvements, but rather a lack of translation. Her unique background as both a scientist and pediatric cancer survivor provides her with an informative perspective to aid policymakers in decisions impacting Virginia public health.