Associate Scientist, Tech Ops

• Oct 2022 - Present

Youth Opportunity Ambassador

• 2020 - 2022

• Served as Lead YO Ambassador and Intern for the 2021-22 cohort, including leading group communication, facilitating career panels and group meetings, and serving as a mentor to new Ambassadors • Acted as a spokesperson for the Youth Opportunity program and represent McDonald’s, International Youth Foundation, and The Next Step Public Charter School to internal and external stakeholders • Influenced product development for the Youth Opportunity program • Participated in panels with young people around the US and stakeholders from McDonald’s Corporation • Contributed to written blogs and video essays on a variety of topics, including employment and diversity • Completed a leadership training program Show less

Fellow and Participant - Storytelling Program for Experiential Learning (SPEL)

• Jan 2020 - May 2021

• Lead the Art and Humanities Team as a Fellow • Wrote articles to be published on the Hola Cultura web page • Researched and wrote drafts on topics of research • Assisted Hola Cultura staff with virtual events design and execution • Attended professional development sessions with Hola Cultura staff and partners • Lead the Art and Humanities Team as a Fellow • Wrote articles to be published on the Hola Cultura web page • Researched and wrote drafts on topics of research • Assisted Hola Cultura staff with virtual events design and execution • Attended professional development sessions with Hola Cultura staff and partners

Facilitator

• Aug 2017 - Jul 2019

• Facilitated instructional sessions on a variety of science-related topics. • Facilitated instructional sessions on a variety of science-related topics.

Research Associate

• Apr 2018 - Jun 2018

• Performed cell culture of mammalian and insect cells (Vero and C6/36 cells, respectively). • Operated the Live Cell Imaging Confocal microscope to evaluate the effect of a plant-extracted compound (potential host-targeting antiviral) on the Dengue virus infection cycle. • Prepared cell media and solutions. • Performed cell culture of mammalian and insect cells (Vero and C6/36 cells, respectively). • Operated the Live Cell Imaging Confocal microscope to evaluate the effect of a plant-extracted compound (potential host-targeting antiviral) on the Dengue virus infection cycle. • Prepared cell media and solutions.

Research Assistant

• Feb 2017 - Aug 2017

• Developed and executed a protocol for the measurement of plant-captured particulate matter. • Measured plant functional traits (leaf area, dry weight). • Developed and executed a protocol for the measurement of plant-captured particulate matter. • Measured plant functional traits (leaf area, dry weight).

Senior Undergraduate Researcher

• Jul 2016 - Aug 2017

• Performed cell culture of mammalian cells (MDCK, HMEC-1, and Vero cells). Use of T-flasks and multi-well plates.• Conducted experiments, data analysis, and research writing. Thesis titled “Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition potentially induced by dengue virus serotype 2”

"Young Researcher" Intern

• Aug 2015 - Sep 2016

• Performed qRT-PCR to validate microRNA expression profiles in endothelial cells infected by the Dengue virus.• Performed RNA Isolation, ran Agarose Gel Electrophoresis, and prepared media and solutions.

Undergraduate Researcher

• 2013 - 2015

• Conducted rotary evaporation of plant extracts. Performed phytochemical and chromatographic profiles. Executed anti-germinative activity assays. • Conducted rotary evaporation of plant extracts. Performed phytochemical and chromatographic profiles. Executed anti-germinative activity assays.