Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Affiliations
Certification
Languages
Timeline
Generic

Ingrid Jora Macrea

Blacksburg,VA

Summary

Driven high school junior student with a strong academic background and a passion for psychology advocacy. Experienced in academic research with focus on AI applications that could improve communication of deaf and hard of hearing population in acute health care settings. Possess excellent communication skills and passion for advocacy that will further the outreach of the healthy integration of digital wellness in youth, and in deaf youth community.

Overview

3
3
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Volunteer NREMT

Blacksburg Volunteer Rescue Squad
06.2024 - Current
  • Completed EMT certification classes at the Blacksburg Volunteer Rescue Squad. These classes were on weekends during my Sophomore year, and lasted 8 hrs.
  • Participated in ambulance rides, accompanying the main crew and observing their direct work during rescue calls.
  • Studied for the EMT Board Exam, passed in July 2024
  • Proudly served the Town of Blacksburg and parts of Montgomery County community with emergency medical and rescue services.
  • ·Helped provide these services up to 8 hours a day for a total of 700 hours throughout the year, except for the weeks on vacation.
  • Provided immediate medical care during emergencies, stabilizing patients, transporting them to hospitals, and educating friends and family on safety and first aid.
  • This work taught how to become a part of the team and communicate and coordinate effectively with others to achieve common goals.

Advocacy and Campus Ambassador

American Psychological Association
04.2022 - Current
  • Supported APA Advocacy Group focused on Teen Mental Health related to the AI and Social Media Use
  • Developed particular interest in advocating for APA legislative and regulatory issues before Congress and in the Executive Branch Agencies.
  • Educated local students on the value of being part of the APA community as a APA Campus Ambassador (2024)
  • Enhanced my knowledge on these issues by electing to complete the AP US Government and Politics and participating in the high school Congressional Debate Team as a Junior
  • These learning and leadership experiences allowed me to become more aware of what my peers face and how to communicate more confidently during difficult situations.

Research, American Sign Language

Blacksburg High School and Gallaudet University
09.2024 - Current
  • Became interested in ASL after taking guitar classes at the "5 Point Music Sanctuary”, a music venue that supports the deaf and hard of hearing community in Roanoke, VA
  • Completed ASL classes starting junior year in high school which allowed me to became immersed in the DHH culture.
  • Tested the accuracy of an AI-based ASL alphabet recognition under common health care conditions (different glove colors, right and left hand, and fine hand tremor) for my junior research project.
  • Expanded my AI-based ASL research experience through summer internship at the Gallaudet University, under the guidance of Dr. Raja Kushalnagar, Professor and Director of the Information Technology
  • The EMT and ASL made me aware that the deaf and hard of hearing adults encounter major communication barriers duriing . This experience determined me to pursue research focused on AI-based programs that could help visual translations of ASL during pre-hospital care.

Research Intern

Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine
06.2023 - 08.2023
  • Developed background knowledge on the applicability of computational neuroscience in studying behavior and their derangements by disease and injury through a summer paid research internship (24-32 hours/weekly)
  • Participated in lectures focused on how the brain processes information, such as memory, language, and decision-making. data.
  • Received certifications needed for participation in human research and assisted in participant activities needed for fMRI testing
  • Developed processing skills using MATLAB programs and helped the research team enter their research data
  • Completed short paper dissertation at the end of the research period focused on Decoding Past Legal Mental States
  • Acquired insight into the day-to-day work of researchers and the realities of academic careers.
  • This experience opened the door to my current research focused on computer-human interactions.

Member, Mountain Biking Racing Team

Blacksburg High School
08.2022 - Current
  • Racer, National Interscholastic Cycling Association State Competition (2022-2024)
  • Assisted National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) with a variety of tasks necessary to its racing fall season in Virginia (2025)
  • Maintained the physical fitness needed to to complete the physically demanding EMT tasks such as lifting patients and carrying heavy equipment.

Member, Congressional Debate Team

Blacksburg High School
09.2022 - 05.2024
  • Developed particular interest in advocating for APA legislative and regulatory issues before Congress and in the Executive Branch Agencies.
  • 2023 VHSL Student Congress Legislation Super-Region Participant
  • This experience encouraged me continue supporting legislative actions to advance the field of psychology.

Vice-President

New River Valley 4H Archery Club
04.2023 - Current
  • Managed meetings and related activities in collaboration with the Club President and Virginia Tech Program Assistants

Education

Blacksburg High School
Blacksburg, VA

Science And Mathematics

Southwest Virginia Governor's School
Pulaski, VA

Skills

  • United States Congressional Award (>500 Volunteer Hours; > 250 Personal Development Hours; >100 Physical Activity Hours)
  • APA Campus Ambassador
  • AP Capstone
  • AP Scholar with Distinction
  • Member, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society
  • President List, New River Community College
  • Science and Engineering Fair Delegate and First Place, Robotics and Intelligent Machines, Senior Division, "The Accuracy of an American Sign Language Recognition Deep Neural Network Under Healthcare Conditions" 34th Blue RIdge Highlands Regional Science Fair, March 7 – 8, 2025, Radford University
  • Honorable Mention, "The Accuracy of an American Sign Language Recognition Deep Neural Network Under Healthcare Conditions" Virginia Junior Academy of Science Symposium, June 16th 2025, Ferrum, VA
  • Outstanding Career Education Presentation Award, Southwest Virginia Governor's School
  • Excellence in Study Skills Award, Award, Southwest Virginia Governor's School

Accomplishments

  • AP Psychology (5)
  • AP Biology (5)
  • AP Language and Composition (5)
  • AP Capstone Program
  • College Chemistry, Statistics and Calculus
  • American Sign Language

Affiliations

Student Member, American Psychological Association (2021 to Present)

Student Member, National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (2023 to Present)


Certification

  • Registered Emergency Medical Technician (2024-2027)
  • Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Training (2022)

Languages

French
Limited Working
American Sign Language
Limited Working

Timeline

Research, American Sign Language

Blacksburg High School and Gallaudet University
09.2024 - Current

Volunteer NREMT

Blacksburg Volunteer Rescue Squad
06.2024 - Current

Research Intern

Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine
06.2023 - 08.2023

Vice-President

New River Valley 4H Archery Club
04.2023 - Current

Member, Congressional Debate Team

Blacksburg High School
09.2022 - 05.2024

Member, Mountain Biking Racing Team

Blacksburg High School
08.2022 - Current

Advocacy and Campus Ambassador

American Psychological Association
04.2022 - Current

Blacksburg High School

Science And Mathematics

Southwest Virginia Governor's School

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