Amara Camacho is a student from Mexico interested in biology, particularly in the realms of neural networks and electrochemistry. Growing up in a family that runs a conservation park, Amara has been immersed in the practical applications of science from a young age, which sparked her interest in STEM. She loves self-learning through online courses in neuroscience, programming, and new languages, while also exploring her creative side through music, painting, and 3D art forms.
During the fellowship, Amara was inspired to start LoreLight, a platform aiming to make reading and learning English more engaging for young children. She is currently learning how to code so she can develop a mobile application for the site. Read on to learn more about Amara, her innovative projects, and her exciting plans for the future!
Meet Amara!
How did you initially become interested in STEM?
My family runs a conservation park, which initially helped spark my interest in STEM. Running the park involves caring for animals and managing logistics that require a lot of different scientific fields, all the way from chemistry to biology to engineering. I find the technical aspects of this work really interesting, and it’s what really got me interested in science. These experiences have also helped me better appreciate the practical applications of science in the real world.
What academic subjects or fields of STEM are you most interested in?
I’m particularly interested in biology, with a strong focus on neural networks and electrochemistry. I’m particularly fascinated by the brain! My interest in neural networks began with a conversation with my cousin, who studies medicine. After that, I started exploring neuroscience through online courses, reading books, and engaging with neuroscientists, which deepened my fascination, and I’m excited to continue learning more!
What extracurricular activities are you involved in, and what do you enjoy doing outside of school and STEM?
I often visit my family’s conservation park to observe how they work with bacteria and fungi in animals. As I mentioned previously, I also take online courses in neuroscience and programming, and I really enjoy the process of self-learning. Also, I recently started playing the drums, which I find fun and expressive. Additionally, I love learning languages; I’m currently learning French and have just convinced my mom to enroll me in a Russian class. Right now, I speak British Sign Language, English, and Spanish. I understand French well, but struggle with speaking it. I also want to study Swedish to attend Karolinska. I enjoy exploring the history and culture behind languages, as it stimulates my brain and offers different perspectives.
Fellowship Experience
What was your favorite part about the Summit STEM Fellowship?
The Ideathons were my favorite part. They were interactive and encouraged creative thinking beyond just STEM, incorporating design and economics. I loved collaborating with others who share my interests, and I was really proud of my Lorelight project. I have a background in painting and transitioned to 3D art forms like pottery and ceramics, which helped me in the design aspect of the project.
Also, I want to express my gratitude to the entire SSF community for their support. It has been a wonderful experience, and I appreciate the encouragement to pursue my interests. I was really inspired by the work of previous peer ambassadors and would love to help others, just as they helped me. It would be a fantastic opportunity for learning and project management.
Which speaker or session resonated with you the most during the fellowship?
I enjoyed all the special events, but the second Career Panel exploring the “Fields Across Engineering” was particularly impactful. It shifted my perspective on my studies, showing me that I could explore my interests in brain research through biomedical engineering instead of just medicine. During the engineering career panel, one of the mentors, Ariann Jones, discussed different subtypes of bioengineering, including an electrical approach to neural networks. This really aligned with my interests and inspired me to explore this field further, and I’m excited to continue learning more.
What would you say was the most useful skill you learned from the program, and what advice would you give to future Summit STEM Fellows?
One of the biggest takeaways I learned from the program was the importance of cold emailing. I was inspired to reach out to two PhD students about their research and am now drafting emails to university labs to inquire about shadowing opportunities.
As for advice for future fellows, my biggest piece of advice would be to take lots of notes! I filled an entire notebook during the fellowship, which I frequently refer back to when I have questions about my academic interests or personal life.
Future Aspirations
What are your goals over the next few years, and what type of career are you hoping to pursue?
I’m leaning towards biomedical engineering, but I’m open to exploring other paths. My immediate goal is to get accepted into a highly regarded high school, and I plan to apply to various programs and competitions. Eventually, I want to look into medical universities like Karolinska or the Royal Institute of Stockholm.
Initially, I was actually set on studying medicine and neurosurgery, but the fellowship helped me realize that I could pursue my interests in biomedical sciences without following a traditional medical path!
What have you been up to since the fellowship? Any exciting projects?
I started teaching English to young kids in my community, which has been rewarding. I also plan to develop an app for my Lorelight project to make reading and learning English more engaging. I’m learning to code to create the app for Lorelight and plan to integrate my volunteer hours with the project. I’m also considering developing a reading catalog to help kids engage with English. I’m thinking of exploring partnerships with libraries or creating a digital library system to provide more reading materials to my community. I’m so excited to continue working on and growing the project!
