Sophia Navarro-Montes will begin her studies at Florida International University (FIU) this fall as a marine biology major. She has expressed a strong interest in studying penguins, particularly those found in the Galapagos Islands. “I want to become a scientist,” Navarro-Montes said. “I’ve become really passionate about penguins and would like to study penguins in the Galapagos Islands in the future. My friends joke with me that when I’m meeting a new person, I ask them what their favorite animal is just so I can segway into talking about penguins.”
Navarro-Montes credits her mother, who works as a microbiologist, for inspiring her scientific pursuits. “My mom is a huge influence on me,” she said. “Since I was little, she would show me stuff from her work through a microscope. It gave me an appreciation for science. In science, there’s always more to explore, more to learn.”
A graduate of Freehold Township High School in New Jersey and a National Merit Scholar, Navarro-Montes completed 10 Advanced Placement courses and received an AP Scholar award after scoring five on nine exams and four on one.
In addition to academics, she has volunteered at her church as a teacher’s assistant for catechism classes and helped children learn about aspects of the Catholic faith. She also participated with Just4Kixs Soccer, helping young people with special needs play soccer. “Action is the way I express my faith,” Navarro-Montes said.
During her college search, Navarro-Montes visited FIU and decided it was the right fit due to its facilities and proximity to the ocean. She stated, “The campus just feels so nice. I loved the facilities, I loved being close to the ocean in Miami. I’m looking forward to getting a dorm at the BBC campus next year. I’m really excited for the marine sciences program at FIU.” Another factor influencing her decision was FIU’s recognized marine researchers: researchers she is excited to learn from.
Navarro-Montes will live on campus and join FIU Honors College as she begins her studies.
