Grinnell, Iowa, United States
Born in Ecuador and raised in Brazil, I’ve seen how limited access to healthcare impacts underserved communities. I am a biochemistry and anthropology student on the pre-med track, and I’m interested in learning more about how culture, biology, and environment intersect to shape health outcomes around the world. My first research experience was in South Africa where I studied emerging infectious diseases, which has led to my current work on copper’s antimicrobial role in hospital settings. I’ve also shadowed physicians across specialties and plan to pursue an MD-PhD to better understand and address global health disparities through both science and care.
‣ Investigate TRPC6-targeted therapies for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy using stem cell and mouse models. ‣ Perform cell culture, qPCR, Western blotting, and animal studies. ‣ Analyze molecular mechanisms underlying disease progression and treatment response.
‣ Lead Grinnell's largest student organization, overseeing Cultural Evening (200+ attendees) and Food Bazaar (350+ attendees). ‣ Coordinate 100+ student chefs and volunteers, managing event logistics, budgeting, and dietary accommodations.
‣ Lead mentorship and professional development initiatives for pre-health students. ‣ Organize physician panels, application workshops, and networking opportunities. ‣ Connect students with healthcare and research experiences.
‣ Elected to represent the Class of 2027 for four consecutive terms and advocate for initiatives such as improved wellness resources and dining options. ‣ Organized student feedback events and helped revise the SGA constitution to strengthen governance and continuity.
• Elected by peers to represent Biochemistry majors and advocate for an inclusive, supportive academic environment • Serve as a liaison between students and faculty, bringing student perspectives into departmental decisions, including faculty hiring and curriculum planning • Support equity and student success by organizing outreach efforts, gathering feedback, and promoting academic and research opportunities within the major
‣ Studied IL-13 regulation of intestinal cell differentiation using mouse-derived organoids. ‣ Performed RNA isolation, PCR genotyping, and qPCR.
• Collected and extracted DNA from permafrost cores to investigate microbial communities in Alaskan soil. • Conducted Nanopore next-generation sequencing using the MinION platform. • Engaged with researchers at the Large Animal Research Center (LARS), gaining insights into muskoxen and reindeer studies.