Sobre Mi:
The first time that I heard the phrase “scientific research”, I was in fourth grade. A science teacher in my school organized a science contest in which each student worked in a project with a topic that they were curious about. In my case, I selected to work with medicinal plants. The experience of working with my mother in the country gathering plants and with doctors cataloging them captured my attention. In this contest I won the first medal of my life, and that was a key moment for me. When I got the medal I felt the happiest girl of the world, and at the same time I discovered a field in which I can contribute to society and I can resolve problems. This experience motivated me to pursue studies in science.
As a consequence of my interest in scientific research I applied for higher education courses in these areas while in high school. Also, I was selected to participate for two years in the National High School Student Summer Research Program— a summer research program sponsored by the NIH-NIDDK and Charles Drew University that provides research experiences for high school students from Puerto Rico and the US. Both times I did research at Ponce School of Medicine (PSM), and traveled to Washington D.C. to present my work at the NIH. After my high school graduation I began my undergraduate studies in the Department of General Science at the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico. For the past four years I have had the opportunity to be exposed to many courses in science and research, which reinforce and reaffirm my interest in this field. I feel fortunate because at my short age I have lived experiences that few people of my age have had, such as my participation in the summer research program while in high school and being in charge of my own projects. The first study I was involved in was entitled “Purification and Western Blot Analysis of a Blomia tropicalis Allergen”, with the objectives of purifying a recombinant allergen from dust mites. During the project I learned many important techniques such as protein purification, SDS Page, plasmid DNA isolation, transformation and Western Blot, among others. At the end of the project I traveled to Washington D.C. and had the opportunity to present my results. I was presenting my project in poster format and orally in front very specialized scientists that work in NIH, and I was able to answer and defend my project appropriately. The following year I applied to the program and again was accepted. The experience that time was new because my project and the techniques were different. The new project was “The Role of GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes in the Pathophysiology of Endometriosis”, a reproductive disease of unknown etiology. With this project I learned new important techniques such as: DNA and RNA isolation, PCR-RFLP analysis, and electrophoresis. Again I presented my work at the NIH. After those experiences my interest in research grew more.
I just completed my bachelor’s degree and of course that makes me feel proud for all that I have accomplished. I have been nominated several times to the National Dean’s List, received the Collegiate All-American Scholar Award, and member of The National Scholars Honor Society, ACS, and the honorary society Tri-Beta. Also, I have been awarded with a scholarship from the Hispanic College Fund for my commitment to education, leadership and community services. But my greatest accomplishment as an undergraduate student was being accepted to the MARC Honor Program which gave me the opportunity to conduct research at PSM for two years and present my work at several meetings in Puerto Rico and the United States. During the summer of 2005 I was accepted into the Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) at Duke University where I conducted research in the area of pathology.
I have been accepted into the Graduate Program of Biomedical Sciences at PSM where I will pursue my Ph.D. studying the molecular aspects of a reproductive disease known as endometriosis. I was awarded with two travel award from FASEB to participate in the annual meeting of the Society for the Study of Reproduction, of which I am a trainee member. I am grateful of this opportunity to go to this scientific meeting where I will be able to interact with experts in the field of reproduction and other graduate students. My career goals include obtaining a Ph.D Degree and learning the newest technologies in molecular biology, such as real-time RT-PCR, SNP scanning, and DNA sequencing. My long term goal is to work in research at a private industry or the federal government. It is in those agencies where I want to develop my scientific knowledge and where I can make a greatest contribution to society. At this time I am a RISE fellow in which I perform very diverse duties in relation to sciences.
Información de proyecto:
My goal at this stage of my career is to perform an innovative research that aims to understand the molecular basis and the pathophysiology of endometriosis. My area of interest is the role histone deacetylases in human endometrial and endometriotic cell lines in order of identify a mechanism by which normal endometrial cells are converted in endometriotic invasive cells. The long term goal of developing a molecular assay for the non-invasive diagnosis of endometriosis. Endometriosis is a poorly understood gynecologic condition defined as the presence of endometrial tissue at ectopic sites. This condition is characterized by severe pelvic pain, dyspareunia, dysmenorrhea, and infertility. The cause of endometriosis is unknown, although environmental, immunological and genetic factors have been implicated. The limited treatments available are not curative, and definitive diagnosis requires surgery, since there are no specific diagnostic tests for this disease.