Colombia native making a difference in the U.S. and Africa

Here’s one of our first submissions from an alum, and it’s yet another Baylor graduate with quite the life story!

Maria Corena McLeod grew up in Colombia and taught herself English there by watching American movies. She graduated college there at age 18 and went to work, but found she “wasn’t making a difference.” So, she up and moved to the United States, eventually graduating from Baylor with a Ph.D. in chemistry in 2000.

After a stint as an assistant professor at the University of Florida’s Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, McLeod today works part-time as a researcher at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. For the last year, her attention has focused on her role with the Florida Department of Health’s Bureau of Laboratories, where she oversees the state’s screening program for newborns. (Each newborn in Florida is screened for 35 different disorders within 48 hours of birth; early diagnosis of many disorders can make a significant difference in treatment.)

Oh, and in her spare time? She’s also involved in anti-malaria projects in Africa. Clearly McLeod took the Baylor emphasis on “worldwide leadership and service” to heart!

Have you or another Baylor alum been involved in service that would make the Baylor family proud? Submit your Point of Pride by clicking here or on the graphic in the top right corner.

Sic ’em, Maria!