Gu, Maria
Maria Gu
Preston M. "Pete" Geren Forty Acres Scholarship
Forty Acres Scholars Class of 2023
Hometown
San Antonio, TX
High School
Ronald Reagan High School

With the influence of my parents, my fascination for technology developed at a young age and grew through many summer enrichment programs, including Code Longhorn. After enrolling in computer science courses, I quickly discovered my passion for coding as the idea of solving problems using innovation intrigued me.

To alleviate the inconvenience of a textbook shortage, for example, I developed a mobile study app that gave students access to the course curriculum in an efficient and convenient manner. I also got to research big data in biology, in regards to pathway Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis patients. It is incredible how individuals can integrate their creativity with the principles of computer science to generate new solutions and possibilities.

At The University of Texas at Austin, I hope to explore new interests and deepen my enthusiasm for computer science, business, dance, art, and my Chinese heritage. Furthermore, I hope to transform into a Computer Scientist who will solve real-world problems across various industries and eventually mentor aspiring youths who are similar to who I am today.

Major 
Computer Science

Other Academic Interests
Business and Asian studies

Extracurricular Activities
Code Orange Mentor; Co-founder of the JoyCentric Organization; Freshman Research Initiative Program

What drew you to the Forty Acres Scholars Program (FASP)?
The Forty Acres Scholars Program is a unique program that gives students access to so many great resources and opportunities. What I was truly draw to, however, was the community of dedicated staff, supportive alumni, and a diverse group of companions. By being immersed in this program, I hope to learn from each individual, gain new experiences, and grow into the best version of myself by reaching my potential.

Favorite FASP Memory
My favorite memory is the time that we had a taco cook-off at an All Scholar Meeting. It felt homey bonding with such a big family of scholars and staff. I felt like I was on the reality TV show Master Chef because they prepared actual pans, aprons, and chefs hats for us to use.