Undergraduate Institution: University of Iowa

Research mentor: Michael Henry, PhD (Molecular Physiology and Biophysics)
Research topic: Exploring the Role of Calcium in Fluid Sheer Stress Resistance

Background: I am originally from Muscatine, Iowa but moved to Iowa City in high school. I have since stayed and attended the University of Iowa to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with minors in Art, Chemistry, and Spanish in May 2024. 

Underserved communities are disproportionately affected by diseases and health issues—something of which ignited my passion for improving health equity in said communities. In my second year of undergrad, I became Interested in research and its ability positively affecting others—leading me to join an Environmental Engineering lab under the mentorship of Dr. Jerald Schnoor. I quickly became passionate about contributing to a team of scientists with a common goal of improving the lives of others. With the help of multiple amazing mentors, I was able to participate in the 2023 FLASH Radiation Biology Internship, sparking my interest in cancer research. Growing up and seeing the affects of cancer on my family and friends, as well as underserved communities, I am motivated to continue learning and researching the scientific complexity to advance knowledge on the disease.

Outside of science, I spent a majority of my undergrad working on resource accessibility and community for underrepresented students at the University of Iowa. I feel that it is important as a Mexican American woman in STEM to use my experiences and accomplishments to mentor other students interested in STEM and higher education. Through my time in undergrad, I was able to serve as a peer leader for the Iowa Edge Program, serve as an Ambassador, present and curate a workshop for the Latinx Youth Summit and International day at Iowa, and, the most impactful, create and serve as president for the Cross Cultural Student Coalition —a student  organization at Iowa that focuses on creating community for academic, personal, and professional success for underrepresented students on campus. In 2024, I was given the Student Leadership Award through the Center for Inclusive Academic Excellence, an office I had worked in for a majority of my undergraduate career. 

I hope to continue my scientific education on the graduate level, whether that be M.D., Ph.D., or both. I want to use my training in cancer research and practice to help underserved communities in health education and improving health equity.

In my free time I enjoy rock climbing, running, lifting, listening to music, and creating prints.