Maria Igarza

Maria Igarza is a senior at the University of Florida, majoring in Political Science and International Studies, with academic interests focused on Latin American politics, human rights, democracy, and public policy. As a participant in the University of Florida’s Undergraduate Scholars Program, Maria conducts comparative research on memory politics, transitional justice, and enforced disappearances in Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico, examining how governments respond to enforced disappearances and the efficiency of each government’s implemented mechanisms against this human rights violation. Separately, she has also served as a Junior Research Fellow in Political Science at UF, further strengthening her experience in academic research and policy analysis. Her and her team’s work has been presented at the Latin American Studies Association (LASA), in Bogota, Colombia, where she was able to engage with experts in Latin American affairs. Outside the classroom, Maria has gained experience in governmental affairs, legal research, and policy advocacy through positions with the Florida Senate, Corcoran Partners, the Minaret Foundation, and Student Legal Services at UF, and she also participated in the Public Policy and International Affairs Program at University of California, Berkeley. Grounded in a passion for research and public service, Maria hopes to pursue a career in international affairs, law, and policy dedicated to supporting democratic institutions and marginalized communities.