When I was nine years old, my curiosity for science soon became a passion after my father was diagnosed with cancer. I attend University Gardens High School specialized in Mathematics and Sciences, at San Juan, P.R., where I received copious information about science-related carriers and extracurricular experiences in workshops, community services, and science clubs.
My first research experience was “A Project-Based Laboratory Course in Molecular and Cellular Biology for Biology Majors at the University of Puerto Rico” under the supervision of Michelle Borrero. This research was important to introduce and understand laboratory duties and was crucial in my preparation as a future professor and mentor where I aim to research and implement new teaching strategies for undergraduates. Also, I participated in a summer program internship at Baylor College of Medicine, where (in Dr. Fuqua’s laboratory), I explored a possible drug resistance mechanism of Dicer/BCRP to drive processes for the restoration of sensitivity to Tamoxifen.
Since my sophomore year, I was a member of the RISE Program (NIH- RISE) where I was mentored by José E. García-Arrarás. His laboratory has been using the sea cucumber Holothuria glaberrima to decipher the cellular and molecular events that guide the regenerative response after evisceration. I have been studying the possible effect of compounds which have roles in the Wnt and Retinoic Acid pathways.