Just a few months into her fellowship, Jessica Riopedre Maqueira, a student at Florida International University’s Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, is already contributing to clinical research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). She is one of only 27 medical students in the United States selected for the NIH Medical Research Scholars Program this year and is the fifth FIU Medicine student to receive this honor.
Riopedre Maqueira began her yearlong fellowship in July at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. The center is recognized as the largest hospital in the country dedicated solely to clinical research.
“Being selected is an incredible honor,” Riopedre Maqueira said. “I have always aspired to become a physician-scientist, and I know that training here at the NIH will give me the preparation and mentorship to pursue that path.”
Under guidance from two physician-researchers—a dermatologist and a pulmonologist—at the NIH Clinical Center, she conducts translational research on tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and lymphangioleiomyomatosis. Both are rare diseases that can affect multiple organ systems.
Her weekly routine includes analyzing data, working with patients alongside her mentors, and participating in collaborative learning activities such as journal clubs and lectures led by physician-scientists. This allows her to directly connect research findings with patient care.
“Even while focusing on research, I’m surrounded by patients every day,” she said. “It’s been a true bench-to-bedside experience.”
Choosing to spend a year focused on research meant postponing graduation for Riopedre Maqueira. However, she saw it as an important step in combining her interests in both clinical work and scientific inquiry.
“I have always been interested in research, so I knew I wanted to dedicate time during medical school to pursue it,” she said. “At the same time, I truly enjoy clinical work and patient interaction, so I wanted to be at an institution that allowed me to do both.”
She became interested in dermatology during her third-year clinical rotations after discovering how much she enjoyed hands-on procedures and problem-solving through physical exams. Dermatology’s connection with other specialties also attracted her.
“I’m particularly drawn to cutaneous syndromes, and TSC is a key condition in that area,” Riopedre Maqueira said. “This fellowship allows me to study it in depth while gaining broader insights into translational research that I hope to carry forward into my career.”
Dermatology remains highly competitive among medical specialties; pursuing a dedicated research year can provide applicants like Riopedre Maqueira with additional experience ahead of residency applications.
Her work will conclude with a presentation at the NIH Medical Research Scholars Program Research Symposium scheduled for May 2026. She hopes these efforts will lead to earlier diagnoses and better outcomes for people living with TSC.
“I hope my research will help improve the quality of life for patients living with TSC,” she said. “I want it to contribute to a better understanding of this condition, especially for patients who don’t fit the classic TSC mold, so we can diagnose them earlier and manage their disease more effectively.”
Riopedre Maqueira plans to return to FIU Medicine in fall 2026 and graduate with her class in 2027.
