Where Are They Now: From MPC to Mayo Clinic
Meet Matteo, an inspiring alumnus whose academic journey has taken him from MPC classrooms to the cutting-edge laboratories of the Mayo Clinic, where he is now pursuing a PhD in virology and gene therapy.
When Matteo first arrived at MPC just after high school, his goal was to become a landscape architect. Encouraged by his mother, he enrolled with a practical vision for the future - the become a landscape architect. But like many students, his journey took an unexpected and transformative turn.
In the summer of 2023, Matteo participated in the Diversity Summer Internship Program at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. There, under the mentorship of Dr. Andrew Pekosz, he explored the immune system’s response to Influenza A. That experience sparked a passion for virology that would shape the next chapter of his academic life.
After transferring to UC Santa Cruz, Matteo continued his research in the Cortez Laboratory, studying how human astrovirus infects the small intestine. “My interest in virology grew into a deep passion,” he shares. “It led me to consider graduate school to learn more about viruses and the role they play in human health.”
That passion led him to apply to the Mayo Clinic’s prestigious PhD program, drawn by its unique focus on using viruses to tackle some of the world’s most complex health problems. He’s now immersed in that next challenge, combining his background in biochemistry, molecular biology, and virology in an environment that pushes him to develop real-world therapeutic solutions.
For Matteo, scholarships were a game-changer—both financially and emotionally. “Receiving my scholarship was incredibly validating,” he says. “It felt like my potential and hard work had been recognized, despite the many challenges I had faced.” These scholarships gave him the confidence and stability to keep moving forward—through transfer, relocation, and now, doctoral research.
To the donors who helped make his journey possible, Matteo offers a heartfelt thank-you. “Your generosity gave me the support I needed during pivotal transitions. The impact you've had on my life—and on so many others—is immense.”
His message to current MPC students? “It’s okay not to have it all figured out. What matters is making the next best choice and showing up for yourself every day. MPC is the perfect place to explore, experiment, and grow.”
He adds, “Oh—and apply for every scholarship you can. It’s like Christmas for college students, but better.”