2024 Keynote Speaker
Daniela Barata
Daniela's experience with SWFLMUN began in 2016 at Cape Coral High School, where she led her team to first place in that year's special contest, the Syrian Refugee competition. However, she attributes her successes to her parents' sacrifices. Born in Havana, Cuba, Daniela was destined for a life of poverty. Her parents beat all odds and fled to Chile, where they lived for Daniela’s young childhood and eventually made it to the United States. From her experiences abroad, Daniela recognized the importance of transportation in allowing for socioeconomic progress in under-resourced communities. Alongside her teammates, she brought her theoretical SWFLMUN project to life, organizing a successful bike-a-thon fundraiser. Generous support from donors, including the NCWA, Mo Winograd, and Nancy and Howard Cohen, facilitated the delivery of 600 bicycles to orphans in Lesotho through the nonprofit "Working Bikes."
Graduating with an International Baccalaureate diploma in 2017 from Cape Coral High School, Daniela continued her academic journey at Johns Hopkins University, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Molecular and Cellular Biology.
Post-graduation, Daniela completed a research fellowship at the National Institutes of Health, delving into the molecular mechanisms of aging. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she actively engaged in public health initiatives at Johns Hopkins Hospital, contributing to health literacy campaigns for Spanish speakers.
Currently in her first year as a medical student at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Daniela is set to earn her Medical Degree (M.D.) in 2027. While contributing to research on skin cancer chemoprevention, Daniela stays committed to local initiatives at Hopkins free clinics, focusing on recognizing and addressing healthcare disparities for Latinos in Baltimore. Transitioning from global advocacy in MUN to medicine, Daniela aims to dedicate her nuanced global perspectives to positively impacting her patients' lives as a compassionate physician-advocate.