University: San Diego State University
Hometown: San Diego, CA
NIH Research Project:
Molecular Characterization of Intracellular Trafficking of Plasma Membrane Syntaxins
Mentor: Zu-Hang Sheng, Ph.D.
Synaptic Function Unit
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
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I think most successful researchers tend to have some uncontrollable urge to have an answer. The appeal of becoming a research scientist was due mostly to my frustration by the status quo. For example, I cannot accept, "You'll never walk again," as a physician would say to a paralyzed patient.
My first research project began in the summer of 2003 in the laboratory of Dr. Ann Feeney at the Scripps Research Institute. The focus of the lab was to investigate antibody development specific to lupus. The following summer I worked in the lab of Harvey Lodish at the Whitehead Institute. I worked on understanding the role of specific receptors responsible for blood cell development. In September 2004 I began working at the Burnham Institute in the lab of Dr. Mark Mercola. My project involved analyzing stem cells that were induced to differentiate into the cardiac lineage.
I recently graduated (cum laude) from San Diego State University with a degree in cell and molecular biology. This summer I am working in Dr. Zuhang Sheng's laboratory at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Dr. Sheng's focus is to help characterize the molecular interactions of proteins in nerve cells, and my contribution is to help identify what types of interactions are occurring at nerve endings.
This fall I will begin my graduate studies in the neuroscience program at Harvard University with funding from the National Science Foundation.
After earning a Ph.D. in neuroscience, I hope to continue to conduct research in acute spinal cord injury. I also believe it is my duty, as a mentor, to initiate change and promote positive and creative breakthroughs by overcoming the status quo.
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