SOPHIA XIA

Sophia Xia is a dual major at the University of Michigan, studying Biophysics and International Studies on the pre-med track. Her journey in service, science, and leadership is driven by one mission: to help others feel confident in who they are, inside and out.

Sophia’s passion for skin health began with her own story. In middle school, she struggled with severe acne, a challenge that took a toll on her self-esteem. While it may have seemed small to others, it left a lasting impact and taught her just how powerful confidence can be. Determined to turn her biggest insecurity into a strength, she founded Project Save Our Skin as a junior in high school, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting confidence through skin health education, access, and advocacy. Since then, Sophia has led the organization in donating over 1,000 essential skincare products to shelters, educating communities on skin cancer prevention, and hosting self-worth workshops for youth. Today, it has grown into a multi-state effort with 30+ members across chapters in Illinois, Michigan, and New Jersey.

At the University of Michigan, Sophia is continuing her commitment to skin science as a lab researcher in the Department of Dermatology at Michigan Medicine, where she studies skin biology and aging. She also serves as Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for The Women’s Network at Michigan, helping build a campus culture that celebrates women and inclusive leadership. Whether she’s writing letters to her elementary school pen pals, volunteering with after-school care programs, or working with the Special Olympics, Sophia brings heart to everything she does at school.

Sophia’s dedication to growth and giving back started long before college. In high school, she was a dual-enrollment student, taking Multivariable Calculus and Linear Algebra while managing a full slate of extracurriculars. She served as captain of the varsity swim team, a competitive bowler, manager of the boys’ gymnastics team, and completed four half-marathons. A passionate cellist, Sophia was principal chair and president of her school’s symphony orchestra. She also volunteered over 100 hours at Northwestern Medicine Hospital and was inducted into both her school’s Honor Society and the Chinese National Honor Society. Now a certified Mat Pilates instructor, Sophia teaches in her hometown studio and on campus, sharing movement as a form of empowerment and community connection.

As a STEM scholar, nonprofit founder, wellness advocate, researcher, and titleholder, Sophia believes that girls are meant to be multidimensional. To her, intelligence and beauty are not opposites, they’re coexisting strengths. Through every initiative, she hopes to show young women they never have to shrink themselves to fit a mold. Instead, they can and should embrace every facet of who they are.