Ana Clara R. Gouveia was born in Pires do Rio, Goias, Brazil, on May 15th 1989.
Ana was raised within a non-traditional family structure by her maternal family since both her parents had a short-lived relationship, and never married.
While in kindergarten, at the age of 5, Ana suffered an accident and was taken to the nearby city's hospital. While awaiting for medical care, Ana lacked oxygen for over 3 minutes, when a Resident noticed her conditions and took her into the surgery room. As she was taken to surgery, more complications arrised. It was found that Ana was alergic to Iodine as well as to an incorrect intubation, Ana's traquea was severed. By the end of surgery, Ana ended up being hospitalized at the ICU for 1 week, later being transferred to a normal hospital room where she spent 2 months in recovery.
After recovery, Ana went back to her hometown, where she lived until the age of 16.
Aside that incident, Ana had a normal childhood, and was interested in many subjects, among them, Poetry, Math and Arts. Ana was interested in learning other languages. Influenced by her Grandfather, Ana taught herself English, and was able to communicate in the language by the age of 12.
Ana participated in Poetry contests and Math Olympics and was a dedicated student. Given her interest in Math, professors often assigned assignments ahead of her peers.
As a self-starter and creative individual Ana developed a local website that became popular among young tennagers living in her hometown.
Although none of Ana's close relatives had gone to college, Ana envisioned being the first in her family to attend it. In 8th grade, Ana decided to study Civil Engineering.
By the age of 16, Ana moved to Goiania, Brazil, in order to attend her senior of high school in a private school. At the time, she attempted enrolling in colleges for Computer Engineering, but was not successful. After completing high school, Ana kept attending classes at her school (commonly called Cursinhos in Brazil) in order to gain more knowledge and to successfully pass the entry examination exams that colleges offer in Brazil.
After 6 months Ana was accepted at the University of the State of Sao Paulo - College of Engineering of Ilha Solteira, Sao Paulo (FEIS - UNESP) as a Civil Engineering major. Ana attended school in Ilha Solteira, Sao Paulo for 2 years, when she decided to take a gap year in order to travel abroad and gain Cultural Experience and improve her knowledge of English.
In June 2009, Ana moved to the USA and became an Au Pair for a family in Newton, MA. While living in Newton, MA, USA, Ana attended Harvard University Extension School, where she took Sustainability classes. Later, Ana decided to transfer her college credits and finish her Bachelor's degree in the USA.
Ana then enrolled at Bunker Hill Community College for the Engineering Associates. After transfering her credits from her college in Brazil, Ana was able to finish her Associates degree within one year. At the completion of her Associates, Ana transferred to UMass Lowell, to pursue her Bachelors Degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering. Ana will now graduate in the Spring of 2014 with her Bachelor's in Civil and Environmental Engineering, and she is also enrolled in the Structural Engineering Masters program, both at UMass Lowell.