A proud native of Laredo, Texas, I obtained both my bachelor's and master's degrees in biology from Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) as a first-generation college student. Growing up, I always had an appreciation for biology and chemistry, deciding from a very early age (5) that I wanted to enter the field for the privilege of wearing a lab coat. Over the years, my interest in biology shifted from the attire to a more defined field of study.
Under the instruction of such wonderful professors as Dr. Ruby Ynalvez and Dr. Micheal Kidd, I gained a deep appreciation for molecular biology and genetics. I decided to complete my master's degree under the instruction of Dr. Ynalvez, studying the effects of different heavy metals on two strains of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii in an attempt to elucidate the role of a specific gene whose function was, at the time, unknown. Following several years of teaching biology labs at TAMIU, I decided to broaden my research experience by finding work outside of Laredo.
Through immense luck and more than 100 applications across various job postings, I was hired as the Lab Manager of Dr. Michelle Ward's lab in the Medical Research Building. My research focus primarily involves culturing and differentiating human iPSCs into iPSC-derived Cardiomyocytes for use by other members in the lab. I am also tasked with lab upkeep, ordering, reagent preparation, and ensuring compliance with all university policies and requirements.
I deeply cherish the work that I do, and not a single day can be classified as mundane. My biggest goal is to continue to expand my repertoire of laboratory techniques, and to continue to play a role in the Ward Lab's success. I have also gotten our lab awarded 2 medals for exemplary lab safety by EHS (and the title of Safety Champion for 2022 and 2023).
When I am not in the lab, I enjoy de-stressing by playing music, and challenging others at video games (competitive fighting games). I am also constantly foraging and attempting to visually catalog mushrooms in any city that I live in. as something of an amateur mycologist. Most people would be surprised to know that I broke both of my elbows back in 2022 in a tripping accident on my way to pick up some reagents for our lab. The X-rays have since been immortalized as teaching material in some of the classes at UTMB.
Under the instruction of such wonderful professors as Dr. Ruby Ynalvez and Dr. Micheal Kidd, I gained a deep appreciation for molecular biology and genetics. I decided to complete my master's degree under the instruction of Dr. Ynalvez, studying the effects of different heavy metals on two strains of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii in an attempt to elucidate the role of a specific gene whose function was, at the time, unknown. Following several years of teaching biology labs at TAMIU, I decided to broaden my research experience by finding work outside of Laredo.
Through immense luck and more than 100 applications across various job postings, I was hired as the Lab Manager of Dr. Michelle Ward's lab in the Medical Research Building. My research focus primarily involves culturing and differentiating human iPSCs into iPSC-derived Cardiomyocytes for use by other members in the lab. I am also tasked with lab upkeep, ordering, reagent preparation, and ensuring compliance with all university policies and requirements.
I deeply cherish the work that I do, and not a single day can be classified as mundane. My biggest goal is to continue to expand my repertoire of laboratory techniques, and to continue to play a role in the Ward Lab's success. I have also gotten our lab awarded 2 medals for exemplary lab safety by EHS (and the title of Safety Champion for 2022 and 2023).
When I am not in the lab, I enjoy de-stressing by playing music, and challenging others at video games (competitive fighting games). I am also constantly foraging and attempting to visually catalog mushrooms in any city that I live in. as something of an amateur mycologist. Most people would be surprised to know that I broke both of my elbows back in 2022 in a tripping accident on my way to pick up some reagents for our lab. The X-rays have since been immortalized as teaching material in some of the classes at UTMB.