Mia Sanchez is a passionate climate researcher, a first-generation college student, and an aspiring marathon runner. She is set to run the Boston Marathon in April 2026 alongside her grandfather, Carlos, making it a unique family event.
After an icy spill during her winter training in Boston, Mia was hesitant about continuing her runs. But a text from her grandfather offering to run the marathon together reignited her motivation. She couldn’t resist the chance to share this special moment with him.
Training indoors for a while, she later joined her grandfather in a marathon in Ventura, California, where both qualified for Boston. Their story has gained attention, making them the first grandfather-granddaughter duo to run the marathon together. They have been featured in major media outlets like KVUE and WBUR.
While preparing for the big race, Mia is also wrapping up her master’s degree in environmental health at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. She is focused on climate and sustainability, hoping to contribute to long-term solutions for climate change. As she puts it, “Climate change is inevitable, and its impacts are vast. We need adaptable plans to withstand these challenges.”
Growing up in Round Rock, Texas, Mia is the first in her family to attend college. Her family’s background as migratory farmworkers shaped her awareness of environmental issues. The Flint water crisis particularly inspired her to delve into environmental health.
At St. Edward’s University, she studied environmental biology and climate change and worked in a lab on DNA sequencing of parasites. This experience lit her path toward research and encouraged her to apply to Harvard.
During her time at Harvard, Mia has taken courses that allowed her to engage directly with real-world challenges. In one project, she and her classmates monitored air quality in campus cafeterias, finding ways to improve ventilation. She also worked on a project in Cyprus analyzing indoor temperatures in schools, discovering that classroom conditions significantly affect student comfort.
Mia’s involvement in Harvard’s FirstGen Mentoring Network has provided her with invaluable support as she navigates the challenges of studying at a prestigious institution. She appreciates the community she’s found among fellow first-generation students, saying it felt like family.
After graduation, Mia plans to gain experience in the industry before returning to academia. She hopes to inspire the next generation of scientists, just as her mentor did for her.
In today’s landscape, environmental issues are more pressing than ever. Recent data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shows that climate-related disasters are increasing in frequency and intensity, highlighting the need for dedicated researchers like Mia.
With her blend of personal passion and professional commitment, Mia Sanchez represents a new wave of scientists ready to tackle environmental challenges head-on.
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