Biographical Sketch

I am an undergraduate Biology student at the University of New Mexico. My primary academic and research background has been focused on genetics and developmental biology. Through my work in the Shull Lab, I have gained hands-on research experience using zebrafish model organisms to study craniofacial and fin development. My current project is focused on prdm3 and prdm16, which are two epigenetic regulators that may play an important role in downstream gene expression during early development. The work I have done for this project has allowed me to develop skills in techniques such as PCR, genotyping and imaging, microdissections, microscopy, cartilage staining, HCR imaging, and quantitative analysis.

I am also a U-RISE and CT-REx scholar, which has strengthened my interest in biomedical research and introduced me to organizations such as ABRCMS and SACNAS. During the summer, my participation in the CT-REx program at the UNM Health Sciences Center expanded my experience beyond basic laboratory research and introduced me to clinical and translational research. Through the program, I gained exposure to the Clinical and Translational Science Center, clinical research practices, research ethics, study design, and the process of connecting laboratory discoveries with improvements in patient and community health. This experience also allowed me to work in a new research environment, learn from researchers and health professionals, and better understand how biomedical research is conducted across both laboratory and clinical settings.

Through research, coursework, and mentorship, I have become especially interested in how genetic and epigenetic changes influence development and disease. My long-term career goal is to earn my Ph.D. and become a genetics researcher. I hope to continue studying genetics, developmental biology, and disease-related mechanisms, with the goal of contributing to research that improves our understanding of human health. I am especially motivated by opportunities that allow me to combine laboratory research, mentorship, clinical and translational perspectives, and meaningful scientific discovery.