I graduated from Texas A&M University in December 2023 with a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Psychology. During my undergraduate career, I worked in Dr. Jennifer Dulin's lab, studying stem cells as a potential treatment for spinal cord injury (SCI). Under the supervision of Dr. Miriam Aceves, I investigated the effects of neural progenitor cell (NPC) developmental restrictions on graft-host connectivity and recovery of function. Additionally, I characterized and studied which neuronal subtypes within NPC grafts are able to integrate into locomotor circuitry through mono- and polysynaptic connections by using a transsynaptic viral tracer known as pseudorabies virus (PRV); I successfully composed an Honors thesis over this project. After graduating, I joined Dr. Kartik Venkatachalam's lab at UTHealth Houston where I studied the bioenergetics of an endolysosomal cation channel called TRPML in neurons. Outside the lab, I enjoy reading, trying new foods and recipes, and going to farmer's markets!
Biography
Research Interests
As an incoming student, I am open-minded and interested in exploring different research areas in cancer biology; however, I would like to focus on studying the role of cancer stem cells in the etiology and recurrence of cancer.
Awards
2022-23 Outstanding Thesis Award in STEM at Texas A&M University
Texas A&M College of Science Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program Grant
Diversity Ambassador
- First generation college student