University: University of California, Los Angeles
Hometown: Santa Ana, CA
NIH Research Project:
Analysis of Differential Sulfation of Chondroitin Sulfate
Mentor: Herbert M. Geller, Ph.D.
Associate Director for Education
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
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Being a child with asthma since the age of four and having a mother who is a nurse, allowed me to ask questions about the complexity of the human body and its functions. Growing up in that environment allowed me to realize the fascination I had for the biomedical sciences. At the age of 14 I moved to the United States from Mexico, leaving my family behind for political reasons, but gaining the opportunity of obtaining an education.
At UCLA I am currently conducting research under the mentorship of Dr. Michael V. Sofroniew of the Neurobiology Department. Our laboratory investigates reactive astrocytosis in response to central nervous system (CNS) insult. We have studied the effects of astrocyte death in the immediate vicinity of CNS injury by conducting spinal cord crush injury surgeries on transgenic models. Understanding the multiple actions of astrocytes may lead to novel therapeutic strategies to improve outcome after CNS insult.
Currently as a UGSP Scholar, my mentor is Dr. Herbert Geller from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. In his laboratory I am conducting research on the role of different proteoglycans in the CNS across different areas of the system, as well as across different stages of development.
Being a UGSP Scholar has also helped me establish my decision for my future career and my long-term goals. After graduating from UCLA I plan on pursuing a Ph.D. in the field of neuroscience, with my long-term goal being the investigation of human disease.
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