Maya Kasbekar

Class of 2027
Major: Neuroscience
Hometown: Shrewsbury, Massachusetts

Maya Kasbekar is a second-year neuroscience student with a deep passion for community engagement. Her dedication was shaped by diverse volunteer experiences, including assisting patients at free health clinics, serving as a unified partner in her local Special Olympics track and soccer teams, and supporting her town's Council on Aging, throughout high school. Through these experiences, Maya came to understand that good health is the foundation for an individual’s well-being and quality of life. Working with such a diverse range of individuals fostered her appreciation for the challenges faced by various communities and ignited her commitment to addressing health disparities through education and advocacy.

Now studying in Pittsburgh, a renowned hub of healthcare innovation, Maya is excited to learn from the city’s wealth of expertise while contributing to initiatives that promote equity. As a Dietrich Fellow, she looks forward to exploring a capstone project focused on reducing health disparities in Greater Pittsburgh, drawing on her background in neuroscience to shape her efforts.

What excites Maya most about the fellowship is the opportunity to collaborate with peers and mentors who share her passion for social change. She hopes to use the knowledge and skills gained through this experience to advocate for sustainable improvements in healthcare access and equity throughout her academic and professional journey.