Breast Oncology Team

OEHHA, Cancer DivisionI conducted a risk assessment on structurally related phenyl methane chemicals and predicted their carcinogenicity and/or genotoxicity and via ToxCast high throughput screening data. I sought to fill in data gaps for chemicals not adequately tested in humans and animals, and to provide relevant data for future legislative actions moving forward (including Proposition 65 in California currently.) Software which I have gained expertise in include ToxRead, ToxPi, and ChemoTyper.Completion of Thesis: Evaluation of Di- and Triphenylmethane Chemicals for Potential Carcinogenicity and Mutagenicity (Accepted December 26th, 2018)Submission of publication: Society of Toxicology Conference, 2019

I performed research at the UCSD School of Medicine to determine the health effects of diet, exercise, and lifestyle on incoming and current residents at the school of medicine.  I measured the residents for their vitals: resting heart rate, blood pressure, weight, and height (for BMI.)  I also helped the residents then undergo the Harvard step test, a type of cardiac stress test, for detecting cardiovascular disease, but is also a good measurement of fitness and the person’s ability to recover from exercise.  We have been gathering data for the past four years, and are currently analyzing the data, in order to present findings and conclusions from the study in the future.  The hypothesis being tested is that the lifestyle and health behaviors of residents at medical schools across the country have deteriorated once they have started medical school.  Interventions and preventative measures provided by medical schools and hospitals must be in place in order to prevent future residents from experiencing the same possible outcomes.

I served as the lead administrator and outreach coordinator on media platforms for the USWNT.

I worked on pluripotent stem cells-derived mini-brain production. My responsibilities in the lab included defrosting the cells, making and changing the media to keep the cells viable, exposing the cells to different conditions (agonist or antagonists of myelination), immunostaining, bifocal analysis, and research analysis.Our work was mainly focused on determining the role of protease activated receptor’s (PARs) roles in myelination of neurons – we used TFLLRN (PAR1 agonist) and 2-furoyl-LIGRLO-NH2, 2FLN (PAR2 agonist) which inhibited myelination and contrasted them with SHC 7979 and Vorapaxar (antagonists for PAR) which increased myelination, in order to confirm that PAR1 and PAR2 did indeed control for neuronal myelination in humans. If PAR1 and PAR2 are shown to be biological pathways which account for normal decrease of myelination in neurons, then antagonists of PAR1 and PAR2 could be used in drugs to treat or help alleviate the symptoms of certain central nervous system diseases, including multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)/Lou Gehrig’s disease.

I completed an internship at the Palomar Health Medical Center, spending time interacting with patients, nurses, physicians, other interns, and medical technicians.  As an intern, I spent time in different hospital floors/areas including cardiovascular, pre-operation and post-surgery, and the ICU (intensive care unit) to communicate with patients what is needed with of them, acted as a nurse’s aide, taken vitals, and admitted/discharged patients – the whole premise of the internship was exposure to direct patient contact and familiarizing myself with the hospital staff and its environment.  I have also observed and helped doctors during surgeries and procedures, including lumbar punctures, bronchoscopies, tracheostomies, and insertion of various central venous catheters (PICC and implanted catheters.)  I have performed ECGs under the supervision of a registered nurse, and have taken vitals on patients (heart and pulse rate, blood pressure, oxygen level, body temperature, and respiration rates.)  I have done physical therapy with patients, for both muscles and joints, have provided ambulation with fall risk and rehabilitating patients (from surgery and/or traumatic experiences,) and attached/fixed heart rate monitors as necessary. I have also handled and transported medicine and blood during procedures and transfusions. I have been in the position of comforting patient’s families during difficult circumstances and outcomes.

I served as a caretaker for two kids with mental disabilities (including down syndrome and autism.)  I aided the kids in learning basic life skills, including putting on clothes, going to the bathroom, and eating.  I also helped the two children learn basic language skills, problem-solving skills, science, music (learning the piano), and coordinating with classmates and teachers.  I have worked alongside speech therapists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and music therapists with these children, in order to help them progress in speech/pronunciation, language comprehension, and gross and fine motor skills.

For the department of Family Medicine and Public Health at UCSD, my responsibilities included:- Meeting with professors to review criteria for assignments and exams given to students- Grading term papers and giving feedback for all drafts before submission.- Holding office hours, answering questions both in and out of class- Proctoring and grading exams