Elena Zubillaga Maharg

Global Challenge: Climate Change & Public Health

Engineers are the liaison between scientists and the public, taking theoretical principles and applying them to the real world. I aim to leverage my education at NYU as a foundation for a career focused on sustainability and innovation, driving impactful solutions for a better future.

Bio:

I am a senior majoring in Applied Physics with a Business minor at NYU Tandon School of Engineering. I was born in London but have lived most of my life in Madrid, Spain. I grew up in a multicultural household with strong ties to northern and western Spain.

I have used my summers to explore working in fields of finance and research and development. Last summer, I interned at BNP Paribas in Internal Consulting, where I led cross-functional initiatives, streamlined data workflows, and co-developed solutions on leveraging AI within the department. The summer before, I interned at Procter & Gamble, where I led projects on alternative packaging solutions. The summer before that, I interned at CSIC (Spanish National Research Council) in Madrid, where I explored my passion for sustainability by collaborating with a team focused on creating biodegradable plastics from avocado pits.

Last academic year, I was a Data Science Intern at a stealth-mode biotech company, where I conducted research on drug delivery systems, assessed the competitive landscape, and supported market strategy through data-driven insights.

I earned third place in a quantum computing hackathon at NYU Tandon, where I collaborated on a project addressing sustainability challenges in agritech. I also earned second place in NYU Tandon’s 2025 Consulting Case Competition.

Additionally, I volunteered at Fundación Balia in Madrid, working with children from social services through homework support, educational activities, and field trips. I am also volunteering with the Give Where You Live (GWYL) International Student Cohort at a soup kitchen.