Maria Garcia Cardenas

EDUCATION

• Universidad de Costa Rica 2020 – Present
  MD — Bachillerato y Licenciatura en Medicina y Cirugía
  San José, Costa Rica
   

• Harvard University Summer 2018
  Intensive Organic Chemistry (with Laboratory)
  Grade: A–  |  8 credits
  Cambridge, MA, USA
   

LANGUAGES

• Spanish — Native

• English — C1  |  TOEFL: 107 (2017)  |  TOEIC (2018)

• German — Estimated B1/B2, Goethe Institut (2018)

 

CLINICAL EXPERIENCE

• Clinical Rotations — Hospital México 2025 - Present
  Completed rotations in: Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Extracorporeal Medicine, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Neurology, Pulmonology, Nephrology, Oncology, Hematology, Allergology, Emergency Medicine, Gynecology, Obstetrics, and Neonatology, and Psychiatry.

 

RESEARCH

• High-Flow Nasal Cannula vs. Non-Invasive Ventilation in Acute Cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema: A ​Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis 2026 – Present
  ​▸ Collaborative project with medical students across multiple countries, under the mentorship of Dr. Inshal Jawed
  ​▸ Conducting systematic literature review and meta-analysis comparing HFNC and NIV in acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema management
  ​▸ Status: In progress

 

LEADERSHIP & PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• Student Representative — Consejo Superior Estudiantil 2026 – 2027
  Asociación de Estudiantes de Medicina, Universidad de Costa Rica · San José, Costa Rica
  ▸  Represent student body interests before the Superior Student Council at the institutional level
  ▸  Develop and implement student welfare projects across hospital training sites
  ▸  Coordinate academic and extracurricular activities to foster student community and well-being

 

• Student Coordinator of Pathology I & II  Hospital México 2025
  Escuela de Medicina, Universidad de Costa Rica · San José, Costa Rica
  ▸  Served as primary liaison between faculty physicians and medical student cohort during our Pathology courses
  ▸  Managed scheduling logistics and resolved conflicts to ensure smooth rotation continuity
  ▸  Proposed and communicated educational improvement initiatives to faculty

 

• Coordinator of Anatomy Teaching Assistants 2024 – Present
  Escuela de Medicina, Universidad de Costa Rica · San José, Costa Rica
  ▸  Oversee workflow coordination for the full team of Anatomy teaching assistants
  ▸  Manage scheduling, draft semester reports, and propose improvements to assistant roles and workflows
  ▸  Ensure compliance with paid-hour responsibilities and coordinate exam practice sessions

 

• Creative Director 2020 – Present
  Centro Educativo Prof. Saúl Cárdenas Cubillo · Costa Rica
  ▸  Design and maintain the institution's website, social media presence, and digital advertising campaigns
  ▸  Develop promotional content including banners, online ads, and educational fair materials
  ▸  Coordinate open houses and educational promotional events; manage applicant CV database

 

• Freelance Graphic Designer 2019 – Present
  Independent · Costa Rica
  ▸  Designed logos and custom illustrations for clients including PaoRuns and Rockland Road Runners
  ▸  Selected design (2019) to represent the Universidad de Costa Rica's School of Chemistry during University Week

 

• Medical Education Content Creator @mediconmajo 2024 – Present
  Independent / Escuela de Medicina, UCR · Costa Rica
  ▸  Produce and share medical student life content and study tips across social media platforms
  ▸  Brand collaborations with companies such as Maxxx Energy
  ▸  Currently serving as official Student Social Media Representative for the UCR School of Medicine

 

TEACHING & VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

• Anatomy Teaching Assistant (Volunteer) 2024 – Present
  Escuela de Medicina, Universidad de Costa Rica · San José, Costa Rica
  ▸  Support students in the anatomy laboratory through guided instruction, Q&A, and exam preparation
  ▸ Facilitate cadaveric dissections and contribute in the making of teaching materials
   

• Histology Teaching Assistant (Volunteer) 2025 – Present
  Escuela de Medicina, Universidad de Costa Rica · San José, Costa Rica
  ▸  Guide students in microscopy technique and histological slide interpretation in the histology laboratory
  ▸  Delivered a full independent laboratory lecture on 'Epithelial Tissue II: Glands' to 120 students (March 2026)

 

• ExpoAnato Volunteer 2024 – Present
  Escuela de Medicina, Universidad de Costa Rica · San José, Costa Rica
  ▸  Participate in public outreach anatomy exposition, explaining human body systems to the general public
  ▸  Served as Principal Organizer of the 2026 edition of ExpoAnato

 

• Soy Niña Organization (Volunteer) February 2026 – Present
  San José, Costa Rica
  ▸  Facilitate educational and developmental activities for girls and adolescents, promoting leadership, self-esteem, and personal growth
  ▸  Assist in the Academic Tutoring Program: workshops on study habits and support in primary and secondary school subjects

 

• University Tutor — Organic & General Chemistry 2018 – 2020
  Independent 
  ▸  Tutored medical students in Organic Chemistry I & II and General Chemistry I & I

​

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• Beyond Reflux Esophagitis: All About the Esophagus – College of American Pathologists 
  Enduring Educational Activity. Accredited by the ACCME; awarded 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. July 2026.
   

CONFERENCE ATTENDANCE

• Congreso Centroamericano y del Caribe de Educación Médica (2020)

• Sinergias para la Salud (2024)

• Simposio de Medicina de Emergencias (2024)

• IX Congreso Internacional de Medicina Interna (2025)

• XXVII Congreso Nacional de Ginecología y Obstetricia (2026)

• College of American Pathologists: Pathology in the Park (July 2026)

• XXXVII Congreso Centroamericano y del Caribe de Patología (November 2026)

 

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

• College of American Pathologists (CAP) — Member (2026 – Present)

• Asociación de Estudiantes de Medicina de la Universidad de Costa Rica — Member (2021 – Present)

• Asociación de Estudiantes de Medicina de Costa Rica — Member (2021 – Present)
   

INTERESTS & HOBBIES

• Pathology → I'm passionate about pursuing it as a medical specialty; strong interest in AP

• Watercolor painting of pathology and histology slides​

• Guitar, piano, and anything Taylor Swift!

 

REFERENCES

Kindly available upon request.