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For Amaya Green, science has always been more than formulas or lab reports. It has been a way to explore questions, pursue truth and ultimately make a meaningful impact. A first-generation college student from Fate, Texas, Amaya chose UNT because of its Tier One research opportunities and its reputation for supporting undergraduates in hands-on scientific work.

“When I saw that undergrads could do research here, I was immediately interested,” she explains. That curiosity led her to major in biochemistry, a field that allowed her to combine her love of biology and chemistry in a program that both challenged and inspired her.

As a student in the Honors College, Amaya took every opportunity to grow beyond the classroom. She is vice president of the UNT student chapter of the American Chemical Society and secretary of Hearts for the Homeless, a student organization that provides health screenings and wellness support at local shelters. “That work has kept me grounded,” she says. “It taught me to listen, to connect with people and to understand what it means to serve.”

She also was a researcher in the toxicology lab of Dr. Amie Lund, associate professor of biological sciences and director of UNT’s Advanced Environmental Research Institute, where she found a strong sense of community and collaboration. “We’ve built real relationships in that lab,” Amaya says. “We support each other, and that has made all the difference.”

Her passion for reproductive health research comes from personal experience. Amaya spent her first year of college in pain and uncertainty. “There were no answers, and I felt dismissed at the doctor’s office” she says. As a sophomore, she was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). That experience inspired her goal of entering UTMB’s MD-PhD Combined Degree Program, where she can become both a physician and a researcher. She hopes to specialize in obstetrics and gynecology while contributing to reproductive health research, especially in areas that remain underfunded or misunderstood. “There's not a lot of literature out there about PCOS and things like that, so I think that that has kind of motivated me to maybe hone in on that and maybe do more reproductive research and things like that in the future.”

Outside of academics, Amaya enjoys reading, watching movies (especially solo trips to the theater) and listening to music. She’s currently reading It’s Not Hysteria by Karen Tang, a book that explores reproductive health and the historical mistreatment of women’s medical concerns. Her love for musical theatre and creative expression has provided an important outlet, helping her maintain balance in a demanding academic environment.

One of her most significant challenges was navigating college as a first-generation student. “I didn’t have a clear roadmap,” she says. “But I figured it out, and now I want to help others do the same.”

That motivation led her to mentorship programs like Navigating the Nest, which helps first-year students adjust to life in the Honors College at UNT. “I think finding someone who’s been in your shoes, or even just someone a little older who’s taken the classes you’re about to take, can make all the difference.” 

As she prepares to walk the stage at graduation, Amaya is proud of what she has accomplished and excited for what lies ahead. She defines success as a life that includes meaningful work, joyful moments and time for personal growth. “I want to practice medicine, lead research and teach. But I also want to enjoy the life I build.”

With a strong foundation in science, a commitment to service and a deep belief in the value of education, Amaya is ready to begin her next chapter — and to continue making a difference wherever she goes.

The College of Science's commencement ceremony will be taking place in the UNT Coliseum at noon on Sunday, May 11, 2025.

For more information about UNT Commencement, please visit https://www.unt.edu/commencement/

Learn more about UNT's Great Grads Spring 2025