Susanna Martizez
Combining Neurodiversity and Discovery: Expanding the Boundaries of Scientific Possibility
For Susanna Martinez, science started off as a class where things fizzed, popped, and sparked her curiosity. It was her favourite subject because it was hands-on and easy to love. This childhood spark evolved into something deeper. A moment that shifted everything happened not in a classroom but at the Houston Museum of Natural Sciences, standing in front of a towering purple geode with her geologist mom. Watching her mom speak with passion and awe about minerals, Susanna saw what it meant to love science and not just study it for practical reasons.
That moment pushed her to search for a field that would light up her own eyes the way geology lit up her mom’s. Now a high school student in Grade 12, she found her match in pharmacology. This field allows her to merge her fascination with health sciences and her passion for helping others, without the queasiness of dealing with blood or the structured routine she associated with pharmacy. It was the perfect middle ground, deeply scientific and deeply human. Here, she could explore the intricate science behind how medicines work, discover and design healing, and feel like she was part of something meaningful, all without stepping too far outside her comfort zone.
What makes Susanna’s journey unique isn’t just her love for health sciences but the way she has navigated STEM as an autistic student who often feels like her brain and mouth operate on two different frequencies. “It always feels like there's a buffer between my thoughts and my tongue,” she explains, “like I’m speaking underwater.” Social interactions can be tough, especially outside science, where structure helps her thrive. That’s why labs have become her personal win. “I know it sounds trivial,” she says, “but being able to contribute meaningfully during labs makes me feel like part of something.” It’s not just about results but about connection. Susanna does not see awkwardness as a barrier but as a part of the scientific process. She even sums it up with a quote from Firekeeper’s Daughter: “We don’t prove a hypothesis is true; we search for evidence to disprove a null hypothesis.” Growth, like discovery, comes from uncomfortable moments.
Even with a clear passion, Susanna admits there are hard days. Subjects like calculus don't come easily and this doubt creeps in during tough exams or late-night study sessions. When that happens, she turns to her history. Every AP class, every completed project, every time she pushed through has become her receipts. “To give up now,” she says, “would mean letting down the past of me, who sat at her desk for hours to get me to this point.” Susanna has the outlook of acceptance, knowing there will always be someone with more experience or knowledge. Instead of feeling discouraged, she sees it as a reminder that there’s still so much to explore. It’s not about being the best, it’s about staying curious, being open to learning, and knowing there’s always another step forward.
What excites Susanna most about STEM is how it weaves into everything. From the way plants grow in her garden to the chemical makeup of her favourite cosmetics, STEM is everywhere. That everyday relevance fuels her drive. This constant sense of discovery keeps her passion alive. She doesn’t need a high-tech lab or a groundbreaking study to feel connected to science. Her curiosity essentially thrives in the ordinary but this is exactly what makes her outlook so extraordinary.
Through it all, she wants to help build a STEM community where people on the spectrum feel like they belong. In her journey, she has seen that the people around her treat her differently than anyone else. She wants this acceptance to become the standard just as she has been treated her whole life! Susanna’s journey reminds us that science isn’t just about finding answers but about staying curious, embracing the awkwardness, and knowing that every step forward, no matter how small, is part of something bigger.
Fun Facts about Susanna
Favorite Food: Tie between sushi andtequeños (Venezuelan cheese sticks)
Favorite part of STEM: The experiments
Favorite Movie/TV show: M.A.S.H
Go-to Karaoke song: The Cult of Dionysus by The Orion Experience
Dogs or cats: Both!
A Guilty Pleasure: Mug cakes
Profile written by Alisha Anwar.