# @elilillyco on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/Cxd75oaxlaZ
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/64294453-elilillyco-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/552845121c.jpg
- **Posted:** 2023-09-21T20:45:12.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Eli Lilly and Company (@elilillyco) — https://gondola.cc/elilillyco

## Caption

Maria Suarez left her native Costa Rica to pursue dual degrees in bioengineering and environmental policy and management at the University of Pennsylvania.
 
Maria believed she could make medicine more efficient for doctors rather than being one herself. She felt her degrees offered more creativity, innovation and the opportunity to be at the forefront of health care technology.
 
As a Lilly scientist, Maria works in a manufacturing lab focusing on potential diabetes treatments.

Growing up in such a lush, tropical environment, sustainability has always been part of Maria's identity. "I grew up in a rural town surrounded by nature and pursued various environmental projects. I hope to help make our labs more environmentally friendly."
 
Her inspiration for learning and public service is her grandfather. "I always looked up to him as one of the smartest people I knew," Maria beams.
 
"Grandfather" is Luis Diego Escalante-Vargas, former Costa Rican Ambassador to the U.S.—a brilliant mind, now silenced by Alzheimer's disease.
 
Luis was tech-savvy and always had the latest gadgets and computers. He worked with non-governmental organizations in the U.S. to bring technology and education tools to children in Costa Rica.
 
"I've seen him go from being this vibrant and talented man that everyone looked up to and admired to being someone that can't do anything on his own, disappearing because of this disease and fully dependent on outside help," Maria laments. "He has no quality of life, and it's taken a toll on my grandma and family."
 
Quality of life for families and patients remains Maria's top priority.
 
"My grandfather inspired me to go into the pharmaceutical industry, and even if I'm not working in the neurological area, I'm focused on diabetes, which has its own complications. If I'm in any way helping someone's grandfather and their family, that inspires me, and that's my purpose." #HispanicHeritageMonth #AlzheimersAwarenessDay
 
Maria J. Suarez
Scientist, Commercialization Technology Center

#WeAreLilly - 39,000 global employees #PoweredbyPurpose

## Stats

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## Tags

poweredbypurpose, wearelilly, hispanicheritagemonth, alzheimersawarenessday

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