INTERVIEW WITH MARIA ERQUIAGA – MECHANICAL ENGINEER & FUTURE PHYSICIAN

In this inspiring conversation, we sit down with Maria Erquiaga, a standout mechanical engineer and member of the Texas A&M Innovative Engineering Medicine Program (Class of 2028). Originally from Sarasota, Florida, Maria graduated Summa Cum Laude from The Catholic University of America with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and minors in Chemistry and Philosophy. She earned the President’s Award and made history as the first undergraduate inducted into both Phi Beta Kappa and Tau Beta Pi honor societies.

Maria shares how a Cornell Summer Catalyst program sparked her interest in engineering—particularly the fascinating worlds of nanoparticles and soft robotics. Influenced by her father’s work as a physician and personal family health experiences, she always planned to pursue medicine alongside engineering. She explains how her mechanical engineering background equips her to approach medical problems with a problem-solving mindset, bridging clinical practice and technical innovation.

A highlight of the interview is Maria’s innovative Medigami project: an educational website using origami models to teach embryology and anatomy. She demonstrates how folding patterns mirror developmental processes (such as the trilaminar disc and stomach formation), making complex concepts more intuitive for medical students. The project welcomes contributions from others interested in creating origami-based learning tools.

Maria envisions her future role as a “physicianeer” — a bridge between medicine and engineering. She aims to identify real patient problems in the clinic, communicate them effectively to research and development teams, and help translate innovative solutions into better healthcare outcomes. She discusses how her dual expertise gives her a unique opportunity to effectively work with multidisciplinary teams to address the needs of the patients.

This interview beautifully illustrates how engineering principles integrate into medicine, opening exciting career paths at their intersection. Whether you’re a student exploring STEM, an educator, or simply curious about innovation, Maria’s journey shows the power of combining technical rigor with compassionate care.

Watch the full interview and explore more engineering stories with us.