Sophia Salinas is currently attending University of Massachusetts Boston and is a part of the Honors College. During her educational career, Sophia conducted independent research under the MIT LAMM Moon Project Internship. Her first research project focused on expanding the possibilities of using the Tardigrade-produced protein DSUP to enhance radioresistance in human DNA. Her second research project aimed at increasing hydroponically grown watercress crop production by stimulating plant growth and eliminating pathogenic organisms through UV-C radiation exposure.
Sophia has also been named a Young Biotech Scholar by the MIT Biotech Group and the Harvard Biotech Club. Outside of research, Sophia founded College Reach, a program that collaborates with the Malden Teen Center to provide Malden residents with college resources. This includes hosting informational meetings with university admissions officers and financial aid experts, as well as providing informational articles about the college process through the College Reach website.
In her free time, Sophia enjoys writing poetry, learning new languages, traveling, and spending time with her family.
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