Richard Tirado Email and Phone Number

Co-Chair of the Health Careers Academy Advisory Committee at Blair High School in the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD)

Content Developer and Social Media Manager at Emeran Mayer, MD. Dr. Emeran Mayer is a world-renowned gastroenterologist and neuroscientist with 40 years of experience studying the clinical and neurobiological aspects of how the digestive system and the nervous system interact in health and disease. He has received numerous awards, including the Distinguished Mentor Award from the American Gastroenterological Association, the Ismar Boas medal from the German Society for Gastroenterology and Metabolic Disease, and the 2016 David McLean Award from the American Psychosomatic Society.His research has been continuously supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). He has published over 425 peer reviewed scientific articles, including 100 chapters and reviews, co-edited four books, and organized several interdisciplinary symposia in the area of mind-body interactions and chronic visceral pain.He has published the Mind-Gut Connection book in 2016 which became and remained an Amazon bestseller in Gastroenterology, and which has been translated into 16 languages. His next book, The Mind Gut Immune Connection, which links the health of soil and plant microbiomes to gut and brain health, was published in 2023 and just appeared as a paperback. His latest book Interconnected Plates is a Mediterranean inspired cookbook for optimal gut health.

Published: "From Simulation to Surgery: Comprehensive Validation of an Optical Sensor for Monitoring Focal Laser Ablation of Solid Organ Tumors" (Linked below)Projects: Validation of an Optical Sensor for Monitoring Focal Laser Ablation of Soft Tissue Tumors and the Determination of an Optimal Substrate Polymer For Novel Force-sensing Optical Fiber Sensor. Presented at the 2022 UCLA Summer Programs for Undergraduate Research Showcase.Assisted the 2023 UCLA CASIT Pre-Med Summer Scholar Program

The role of Co-Head of Care Coaching involved responsibilities such as training and overseeing newly recruited coaches, facilitating research, attending clinic sessions, and mentoring patients. Having served as a trained Care Coach for neurodiverse patients at the UC-LEND clinic, I assisted patients with college/career guidance, health/nutrition, social skills, daily living skills, and more. Promotion to Co-Head occurred in the Spring of 2021.

I was promoted to the position of Head of Communications in the spring of 2021. Working alongside graduate students, I curated quarterly newsletters and managed a website to promote the advancements made by our faculty and students in enhancing Maternal and Child Health outcomes. In addition to my primary responsibilities, I conducted informative presentations for first-year PSHP (Pathways for Students Into Health Professions) students. These presentations covered topics ranging from planning a comprehensive four-year undergraduate education to developing interview and leadership skills, as well as applying for positions in research laboratories.I also took charge of organizing outreach programs for high school students, including events like the "Exploring Health Careers In College" Panel at Blair High School in Pasadena, California. Through these initiatives, PSHP aimed to support the achievements of underrepresented students at UCLA who were pursuing careers in the healthcare field.

Worked closely with Dr. Lazazzera and the team at the Lazazzera Lab to research how errors in the process of translation impact bacteria cells. Specifically, addressed the mechanism by which mutation increases in the PheRs Editing defective E. coli—presented a poster at the 2021 UCLA Undergraduate Research Showcase Symposium.

A COVID-19 Research Study headed by Dr. Emily Hotez, Assistant Professor, UCLA Division of General Internal Medicine, to understand students’ experiences during this pandemic involving an online survey. Conducted literature searches, created a literature review, data, and statistical analysis. Investigated the potential influence of student socioeconomic status on their ability to fulfill student responsibilities and access a good working environment. The findings suggest that more efforts should be made to understand and bring awareness regarding the effects of socioeconomic status disparities on students’ education. The study has been published in Cureus (see link below). The results were presented at the 2020 UCLA Maternal & Child Health Virtual Poster Symposium and to elected officials at the California Legislative Black Caucus Youth Forum: The Pandemic of Health and Hate.

The uneven and inequitable rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine has resulted in access, accessibility, and confidence barriers to the vaccine for people with disabilities. This project aimed to ensure individuals with disabilities have the resources and confidence to get the COVID-19 vaccine. My role as a Social Media Strategist was to create and disseminate viral social media content, assist in the development, production, and editing of multi-media materials (e.g., videos/infographics) that speak to individuals with disabilities, their families, and direct service providers, and ensure our website acts as the main platform for our followers.

As part of the 2019-2020 Student Advisory Council, I served as the first-in-line resource when CAP needed feedback, a student representative, and gave any input that would improve the organization. I helped improve their programs to serve current Pasadena Unified High School students, alumni, and parents. I continue to assist CAP when requested. College Access Plan prepares underserved students to succeed in college.

Virtual experience with basic lab techniques using Lab XChange. Training in reading scientific papers and presenting research.

Assisted the Senior Writer and Editor in editing text and imagery and using the Liferay Content Management System (CMS) to publish news, images, and events to the GLOBE Program media channels. As a sub-contractor for NASA, the GLOBE Program followed specific protocols to disseminate science-related content.

Regularly assisted patients, organized linens, and replenished supplies. Exposed to diverse perspectives of healthcare, from shadowing nurses, to assisting patients in Cardiology, Infusion, Endocrinology, and observed different medical tests offered at the Pasadena Clinic.