About Maria Michta-Coffey
Biomedical scientist Maria Michta-Coffey has built an impressive dual career as an elite athlete and a physician assistant. In 2004, she presented a project on the radio detection of meteors as a participant in STS. Michta-Coffey then earned a PhD in biomedical science from Mount Sinai Medical School. She is a two-time Olympian with American records in the 5km, 10km, 15km, and 20km distances of race walking. After winning her 30th National Title and finishing 22nd at the 2016 Rio Olympics, she was inducted into the Long Island University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2024.
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Michta-Coffey with her project on the radio detection of meteors. She stated that connecting with young learners at STS 2004 was her most memorable experience of the science fair. For Michta-Coffey’s full interview with Society for Science, see this 2017 article.
Michta-Coffey pictured in a lab as part of her PhD in biomedical science.
The finalist group photo for the 2004 STS, with George W. Bush at the White House. Michta-Coffey can be seen on the far left.
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