![\"Medical](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/riopedre-maqueira-at-nih-clinical-center.jpeg\")
Taking a research year during medical school, even though it meant postponing graduation, felt like a natural next step for Riopedre Maqueira.<\/p>\nJust a few months into her yearlong National Institutes of Health (NIH) fellowship, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine student Jessica Riopedre Maqueira is already contributing to clinical research that bridges science and patient care.<\/p>\n
Riopedre Maqueira is one of only 27 medical students nationwide chosen for the NIH Medical Research Scholars Program this year. She is the fifth FIU Medicine student to earn this distinction.<\/p>\n
She began her fellowship in July at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, the nation\u2019s largest hospital devoted entirely to clinical research.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing selected is an incredible honor,\u201d she says. \u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Under the mentorship of a pair of renowned physician-researchers associated with the NIH Clinical Center, one a dermatologist and the other a pulmonologist,\u00a0Riopedre Maqueira is conducting translational research on tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and lymphangioleiomyomatosis,\u00a0two rare diseases that can affect multiple organ systems.<\/p>\n
A typical week at the NIH Clinical Center blends data analysis, patient care and collaborative learning. Riopedre Maqueira reviews data, compiles findings, and sees patients alongside her mentors to connect her research directly to patient outcomes.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven while focusing on research, I\u2019m surrounded by patients every day,\u201d she says. \u201cIt\u2019s been a true bench-to-bedside experience.\u201d<\/p>\n
She and the other fellows attend weekly lectures led by physician-scientists and participate in journal clubs led by peers, activities that encourages discussion and discovery.<\/p>\n
Taking a research year during medical school, even though it meant postponing graduation, felt like a natural next step for Riopedre Maqueira.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have always been interested in research, so I knew I wanted to dedicate time during medical school to pursue it,\u201d she says. \u201cAt 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
As an aspiring dermatologist, Riopedre Maqueira says her time at the NIH aligns perfectly with her long-term goals. Her interest in dermatology began during third-year clinical rotations, when she discovered how much she enjoyed hands-on procedures and solving problems through physical exams. She was especially drawn to how dermatology intersects with other specialties and how the skin, the body\u2019s largest organ, often reveals what\u2019s happening beneath the surface.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m particularly drawn to cutaneous syndromes, and TSC is a key condition in that area,\u201d she says. \u201cThis fellowship allows me to study it in depth while gaining broader insights into translational research that I hope to carry forward into my career.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dermatology is among the most competitive specialties in medicine, with limited residency spots available each year. For students like Riopedre Maqueira, completing a research year can provide valuable experience and strengthen residency applications.<\/p>\n
Her research will culminate in a presentation at the NIH Medical Research Scholars Program Research Symposium in May 2026. Beyond that, she hopes her work will lead to earlier diagnoses and improved outcomes for patients.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope my research will help improve the quality of life for patients living with TSC,\u201d she says. \u201cI want it to contribute to a better understanding of this condition, especially for patients who don\u2019t fit the classic TSC mold, so we can diagnose them earlier and manage their disease more effectively.\u201d<\/p>\n
Riopedre Maqueira plans to resume her studies at FIU Medicine in fall 2026 and graduate with the Class of 2027.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Just a few months into her yearlong National Institutes of Health (NIH) fellowship, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":22453,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[225,227,226],"class_list":{"0":"post-22452","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-hialeah","8":"tag-hialeah","9":"tag-hialeah-headlines","10":"tag-hialeah-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22452","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22452"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22452\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22453"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22452"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22452"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22452"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}