A Bit About Me

Madison Walia-Peters is a high school senior whose pursuits in anthropology and activism focus on the ways social factors influence well-being, particularly for underrepresented groups. Her work includes published research on topics such as how socioeconomic stress affects mental health among high school students and the experiences of immigrant youth navigating acculturation. Through internships at institutions like the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, she’s had hands-on experience with community-focused research, examining factors like cognitive health in underserved elderly populations. Madison’s participation in projects funded by organizations like the NIH underscores her commitment to research that intersects with public health and social sciences.

Beyond research, Madison is actively involved in community advocacy, especially within her school and city. As a Youth Advisory Commission member in Hoboken, she collaborated with city officials to advocate for spaces and resources that support youth mental health. At school, she co-founded the Health and Wellness Committee, organizing initiatives around suicide prevention, anti-bullying, and healthy relationships. Her student government roles and involvement in Model Congress have allowed her to further explore policy-making, crafting proposals to support health equity and social support systems. These experiences highlight her dedication to activism and her ongoing effort to address social inequalities through research and community service.

In addition to her academic and extracurricular pursuits, Madison is also a competitive volleyball player. Her club team qualified for the USA Volleyball Nationals in 2019, 2023, and 2024 and was ranked in the top 1% nationally in 2023. She has also been co-captain of the Hoboken High School volleyball team since her sophomore year, leading the rapidly-growing program to state sectional finals both freshman and junior year.

In her spare time, Madison enjoys trying new restaurants, surfing, and teaching her dog new tricks. In the future, Madison aims to bridge her interests in anthropology and public health by working to expand access to healthcare resources and reduce social inequities in underserved populations.