Come for the tennis, stay for the neuroscience.
That pretty much sums up the Merrimack College experience for Giulia Martins-Cavalcante ’26. A native of Brazil, she was recruited to join the College’s women’s tennis team. Once on campus, she began pursuing her passion for all things brain-related.
This past summer, Martins-Cavalcante, a neuroscience major, completed an internship with neurosurgeons at a private practice in Brazil. The doctors she worked with previously served as the heads of neurosurgery at UCLA and worked for the Brazilian hospital chain, Rede D’Or.
“They were treating disorders, such as Parkinson’s, using deep brain stimulation,” Martins-Cavalcante explained. “It’s a really sophisticated kind of surgery. Not many people are exposed to it, not even some doctors, so I am really grateful for the experience.”
Currently, Martins-Cavalcante said she hopes to become a neurosurgeon or neurologist.
“(Being a surgeon) is a really rewarding (profession)” she noted. “You’re so tired after surgery and then the patient’s family starts thanking you because you just saved a life. (The patient) is someone’s dad, grandpa, grandma or son.”
Martins-Cavalcante has been playing tennis since she was 6 years old. When Merrimack scouted her, she said she was impressed with what the College offered academically.
“I’ve already done direct research,” she said of her education, “and the professors are helping me way beyond just things in the classroom. They’ve given me networking opportunities and instruction in additional lab procedures.”
When she arrived at Merrimack, Martins-Cavalcante said she was surprised by how much support she received as an international student during her freshman year.
“Andrea Wamboldt (director of Merrimack’s First-Year Experience program) and Rachel Tampone (director of international admission and recruitment) helped connect me with other international students,” Martins-Cavalcante said. “Our First Year Experience was only for international students. It was really important for them to make me feel included and know my resources here on campus.”
In addition to her studies and athletics, Martins-Cavalcante is a resident advisor, works operations for the Athletic Department and works as a tutor.
“It’s rewarding to see people thriving on things they were struggling with before they met with me,” she said. “It’s also helping me with my communication and teaching skills.”
