Daniel Barrera Email & Phone Number

United States

Located at the Mexican-American border, the ORR shelter receives hundreds of minors who arrive in the country carrying traumas and injuries sustained on their journey. This was one of the various sites where I have been assigned to work as an interpreter. I assisted in health screenings, psychological wellness tests, and emergency care for these minors. However, the most meaningful part for me was the initial screenings, where I could reassure these kids that they had made it to the United States and had nothing to worry about. My experience at the shelter opened my eyes to the high demand for healthcare services for immigrant communities. It sparked my interest in raising awareness about these common disadvantages and inspired me to become further a part of alleviating them.I additionally have provided services for federal courts, circuit courts, ENTs, Speech Pathologists, social workers, and other professionals. My experience as an interpreter has helped me to grow more respect for patients and individuals of different cultures and to recognize when I can better adapt to their needs.

Salt Lake City, Utah, United States

I have worked with incoming undergraduate students through the Office of Transition & Orientation and the Department of Chemistry to realize their goals and discover new opportunities on campus. My quality of life changed when I began seeking mentors for my future, and I now enjoy sharing that security and confidence with others. Each interaction with my mentees validates my goal to help them discover themselves and find relief during novel situations in life.

Salt Lake City, Utah, United States

I investigated fetal tissue-resident macrophage (fTRM) development and their novel Interleukin-7 (IL7) production in developing embryonic tissue. This interaction is not observed in adults and builds off the observation that fTRMs are also uniquely regulated by IL7 cell signaling. The resulting data showed that fTRMs produce a robust amount of IL7, suggesting that these cells self-regulate and carry a much greater role in fetal development than previously suggested. There is still a lot to discover in the branch of fetal hematology and understanding disease mitigation on a fetal level. It's remarkable to contribute and be a part of this relatively underdeveloped branch of science.My research is titled "Fetal Macrophages Produce Interleukin-7 in the Developing Hematopoietic Niche," and can be viewed via the media below.

United States

It has been a pleasure to share and grow alongside the patients at the Crisis Recovery Unit and be a part of their growth. My favorite part of my job was leading the psychosocial group activities before patients went to bed, doing wellness activities, and being there for others during their most vulnerable moments. The respite center showed me the true nature of mental illness and the impact of being present in a patient's healing, especially during the emotionally tricky parts.

Syracuse, Utah, United States