University: Tufts University
Hometown: Bayamon, PR
NIH Research Project:
Role of Apoptosis in JC Virus Infection of Human Progenitor Cells Derived Astrocytes
Mentor: Eugene O. Major, Ph.D.
Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
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I recently graduated from Tufts University with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology-psychology. Research has always captured my attention because of its potential to better people's lives and the never-ending search for answers to accomplish that goal. As I learned more about neuroscience, I became more interested in biomedical research, and this interest has been directed at neural stem cells and their potential to cure neurological disorders.
This is my second summer in the UGSP. I am currently training under the supervision of Dr. Eugene Major at the Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience in the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. One of our laboratory's aims is to understand JC virus infection. This virus causes the fatal demyelinating disease progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. This condition occurs almost exclusively in immunocompromised individuals, particularly AIDS patients. I am currently involved in studying the mechanisms by which the JC virus kills astrocytes, the most abundant cell type in the brain. This lab's interests include the characterization of progenitor cells, thus fulfilling my desire to understand neural progenitor cell biology and neuropathology.
I am extremely grateful for being selected as a UGSP Scholar. The UGSP has offered the best research training while alleviating the financial burden of a college education. I will train here at the NIH for 1 year before pursuing an M.D. or M.D./Ph.D., and I plan on gaining as much experience and as many contacts as possible in to gain the tools necessary to improve people's health. |
