Valentina Balanta Nieva is a Graduate Coach at InGenius Prep. She received her BSc in Biochemistry from Magdalen College, University of Oxford , where she was also involved in Outreach and Access roles as a student representative in the Magdalen College JCR (Junior Common Room).
Driven by a passion for scientific research and building community, Valentina has held various insightful positions. Spending time as a Clinical Research intern in labs at the Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain , and as a Teacher of Science in London, UK, Valentina is adept in scientific and multilingual knowledge, but also in sustaining fruitful amiable connections.
Throughout her experience applying to and being in Higher Education, Valentina has used incredible initiative to get that step further. Having extensively researched extra-curricular opportunities for access into Higher Education, Valentina was able to help herself, and consequently others, reach those aspirational educational goals.
Her leadership roles at University also placed her in a great position to advise and guide students. She enabled impactful correspondence between current students and professionals with incoming undergraduate students through the “Parents Scheme” she pioneered in her role as student representative for “Racial and Ethnic Minorities”. This scheme was a huge success and made the transition into Oxford for many of these students much easier than they had expected.
As a Graduate Coach, Valentina’s experiences of academia from all of these perspectives, has made evident the importance of investing in oneself. She believes she is in a position that grants her a great ability to analyze a student’s situation, strengths, or fears, and convert them into success – both personal, and academically.
