CT-REx Clinical and Translational Research

Through the CT-REx program at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, I expanded my experience into clinical and translational research. During the summer, I worked in the Castillo Lab and gained a better understanding of how laboratory research can be connected to human health and disease. I helped prepare, stain, image, and analyze tissue slides and also gained experience with qPCR. This work introduced me to research involving the gastrointestinal system, inflammation, and the biological effects of environmental exposures.

The program also allowed me to learn more about the UNM Clinical and Translational Science Center, clinical research practices, research ethics, study design, and the process of moving scientific discoveries from the laboratory toward patient and community benefit. Through mentorship, presentations, and hands-on research, CT-REx strengthened my interest in biomedical research and helped me better understand the connection between basic science, clinical research, and public health.