Medical Interpreter

• Sep 2021 - Present

As the first in-person medical interpreter at the Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Program, I have worked on establishing a culture that improves the quality of care for patients with limited English proficiency. I have designed training programs for staff and healthcare providers, recorded patient interactions with their care providers and case managers, and implemented initiatives to improve the navigability of the clinic. Most importantly, I interpret for patients and providers from English to Spanish, acting as a cultural broker. I have interpreted in behavioral health scenarios, helped patients understand health documents through sight-translation, and organized three-way calls with Mass Health Insurance authorities. Show less

Research Associate II

• Jan 2022 - Present

Worked on the development of spatial transcriptomics technologies: Slide-seq and Slidelock-seqCollaborated with multiple groups on the characterization of phenotypes through spatial transcriptomics including:Spatial gene expression of tumor microenvironmentThe immune response to COVID-19 in human lungSpatial gene expression in the gastrointestinal tractNeurological disorders and the elucidation of the brain’s structure

Research Associate I

• Aug 2020 - Feb 2022

Undergraduate Researcher-Smith Group

• Aug 2019 - Jul 2020

• Analyzed the evolutionary history and genetic structure of the Osiris gene family through bioinformatic methods.• Built phylogenetic diagrams of Osiris gene candidates from insect species.• Manually annotated genomes to analyze the genetic structure of scaffolds with Osiris gene candidates.• Developed pipelines to analyze the protein profiles of Osiris gene candidates.Research Conference presentation: Barrera, I. (2020, April). Structural characterization and phylogeny of the Osiris gene family. Abstract accepted for the 32nd annual Butler University Undergraduate Research Conference. Indianapolis, IN. Cancelled due to public health concerns related to COVID-19. Show less

Teaching Assistant

• Jan 2020 - May 2020

Bioinformatics Spring 2020Cells, Genes and Inheritance Spring 2020Biochemistry Fall 2019Cellular Physiology Fall 2018

Elected Student Senator and Committee Member

• Aug 2017 - May 2020

• Represented the student body interests during the redrafting of the Student Constitution.• Advised the Vice-president of Finance in the reduction of the budget deficit of the College.• As a member of the Student Faculty Affairs Committee I evaluated faculty members applying for tenure and renewal of their contract.

Resident Assistant

• Aug 2017 - Dec 2018

• Advised 60 undergraduates during their first-year transition and responded in medical emergencies.• Implemented programs geared towards reducing substance misuse and raising mental health awareness.• Fostered monthly educational and social programs for 300 undergraduate students.

Undergraduate Researcher- Scerbak Group

• Aug 2017 - May 2018

• Observed the effect of plant extracts on the nuclear translocation of the transcription factor DAF-16 in Caenorhabditis elegans through fluorescent microscopy.• Optimized stress assay protocols to identify plant extracts that might delay aging in C.elegans.Research Conference Presentation: Barrera, I. (2018, April). Midwestern plant extracts impact biomarkers of aging in Caenorhabditis elegans. 30th annual Butler University Undergraduate Research Conference. Indianapolis, IN. Show less

Co-Founder

• Sep 2018 - Apr 2020

• Co-designed an integrated waste management company in Ethiopia. • Conducted a literature study on the health effects and the public health impact of waste mismanagement in Ethiopia. • Secured $22,500 USD of seed capital by earning 1st place at the Earlham Prize for Creative capitalism. • Won 2nd place at the Boston regionals of the Hult Prize. • Co-designed an integrated waste management company in Ethiopia. • Conducted a literature study on the health effects and the public health impact of waste mismanagement in Ethiopia. • Secured $22,500 USD of seed capital by earning 1st place at the Earlham Prize for Creative capitalism. • Won 2nd place at the Boston regionals of the Hult Prize.

Research Assistant

• Jan 2019 - Jul 2019

• Validated structural variants identified by WGS that pose a risk for Alzheimer’s Disease. • Assessed putative enhancer for MAPT gene using CRISPR-Cas9 technologies. • Benchmarked SV-caller algorithms for future whole-exome-sequence analysis. • Validated structural variants identified by WGS that pose a risk for Alzheimer’s Disease. • Assessed putative enhancer for MAPT gene using CRISPR-Cas9 technologies. • Benchmarked SV-caller algorithms for future whole-exome-sequence analysis.

Externship

• Aug 2017 - Dec 2018

• Shadowed public health inspectors in the implementation of health policies. • Researched the spread of HIV and Hep C in the county due to the opiate epidemic. • Proposed initiatives to reduce the incidence of substance use-related diseases. • Shadowed local medical interpreter and learned about the health needs of the Hispanic community. • Shadowed public health inspectors in the implementation of health policies. • Researched the spread of HIV and Hep C in the county due to the opiate epidemic. • Proposed initiatives to reduce the incidence of substance use-related diseases. • Shadowed local medical interpreter and learned about the health needs of the Hispanic community.

Summer Intern-University of Tokyo Summer Internship Program

• Jun 2018 - Jul 2018

• Performed large-scale morphological analysis on S. cerevisiae to elucidate putative gene targets of the anti-aging compound resveratrol. • Examined the phenotypes of individual cells through the image-recognition software, Calmorph, and fluorescence microscopy. • Performed large-scale morphological analysis on S. cerevisiae to elucidate putative gene targets of the anti-aging compound resveratrol. • Examined the phenotypes of individual cells through the image-recognition software, Calmorph, and fluorescence microscopy.

Summer Intern-Klussmann Group

• Jun 2017 - Aug 2017

• Integrated high-throughput data sets to characterize the AKAP GSKIP and the kinase Cdk18. • Consolidated integrative pathway enrichment analyses comprising metabolomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics metadata to screen genes involved in the phenotype of GSKIP KO mice. • Executed qPCR on target genes of transcription factors possibly related to GSKIP. • Proposed molecular mechanisms of GSKIP and Cdk18 and suggested further methodological steps. • Analyzed phospho-proteomics data set to screen genes phosphorylated by Cdk18. Show less

Conference Speaker

• Sep 2016 - Sep 2016

Barrera, I. (2016, Nov). Paulo Freire’s literacy methods as means for community empowerment. University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Read. Write. Act Literacy Conference. Chapel Hill, NC. Barrera, I. (2016, Nov). Paulo Freire’s literacy methods as means for community empowerment. University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Read. Write. Act Literacy Conference. Chapel Hill, NC.