Milena Fuentes Quispe

Penn World Scholars
Class of 2029

Bolivia

Academic Areas of Interest

My interests range from the biological sciences and sustainability to education and gender equity.  

The way that biology raises questions at the microscopic level of life fascinates me, but botany is my favorite part of it, for it lets me explore the intricacies of plants and connects me back to nature. Biotechnology excites me because it brings those questions to the molecular scale and turns them into applications that can serve human needs. My interest in this field has gone beyond surface level when I founded the first research program for high schoolers in my country focused on Biotechnology and funded by the US Embassy in Bolivia.  

On the other hand, I believe in sustainability as the guidance of this process, as progress only matters if it also protects the environment and the beings, we share it with. Additionally, as a FGLI student and a woman with Indigenous heritage, I am passionate about making education accessible for my community and advocating for an equal accessibility of opportunities for all, regardless of gender. 

Activities & Hobbies

I enjoy playing the zampoña and charango, baking, hiking, journaling, knitting, and spending time outdoors. I also love reflecting, reading, and listening to music and poetry as ways to stay connected to myself and the world around me. 

Future Plans

I plan to pursue graduate studies in biotechnology, with a focus on bioremediation. In the meantime, I want to keep conducting research that balances human needs with environmental care.