Research experience 

Graduate Research Assistant                                                                                                                         June 2022 – Present

School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona

Project 1: Insulin/IGF-like Signaling and Metabolic Resilience in Corals

• Investigated insulin signaling in reef-building coral and downstream signaling pathways

• Developed the first 2D and 3D organoid systems to study coral bleaching

• Conducted histopathology, immunostaining (ICC, IHC), confocal microscopy, and FACS-based cellular profiling

• Identified conserved features of insulin receptor signaling across corals and humans using biochemistry, ligand assays, imaging, and molecular analyses (Homology detection, SDS-PAGE, Western blot, Dot blot, GC-MS, LC-MS)

• Characterized coral proteins (opsins, GMPR) through purification, spectroscopy, and functional assays

• Developed SOPs, equipment documentation, and managed lab budgets and purchasing to ensure efficient and compliant research operations

Project 2: Metabolomics-Based Biomarker Discovery in Rhodopsin-Linked Retinitis Pigmentosa

• Performed GC-MS based metabolomics to determine metabolite‑level signatures associated with GPCR instability

• Conducted large-scale purification and biochemical characterization of rhodopsin using affinity chromatography, HPLC, spectroscopy, DLS, SDS‑PAGE, and Western blot

• Integrated metabolomics with structural rescue to uncover mechanistic links between protein folding and metabolic pathway dysregulation

Visiting Research Scholar                                                                                                           October 2022 – December 2022

Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa

Project: Coral organoids development.

·       Established coral 2D cell culture and 3D organoid development

·       Performed Coral tissue characterization, histopathology and imaging for cross‑species signaling analysis

Research Assistant                                                                                                                                January 2020 – May 2022

Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado

Project: Laminin interactions with the islet in a 3d scaffold protect against cytokine-mediated β-cell death.

·       Studied the effects of extracellular matrix (ECM) on the islets and its role in Beta-cell apoptosis

·       Designed biomaterial scaffolds supporting islet viability; conducted SEM, NMR, and FTIR characterization

·       Performed cell culture, protein analysis, and functional assays (ELISA, Western blot, FRET, and confocal imaging)

·       Contributed to in vivo mouse studies involving islet isolation

Professional Research Assistant                                                                                               February 2018 – December 2019

Charles C Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado, Denver

Project: Development of full-thickness skin equivalents: reconstruction of skin to treat Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) using human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).

·       Generated and differentiated iPSCs for 3D skin models epidermolysis bullosa research

·       Developed full-thickness 3D skin equivalents

·       Performed FACS, immunofluorescence (ICC, IHC), confocal imaging, and grafting studies in mouse models

Engineering Summer Intern                                                                                                                   May 2016 – August 2016

Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Centre for PAIN and the Brain, Waltham, Massachusetts.

Project: Demyelination in the Pediatric Spinal Cord Detected with  Magnetization Transfer Imaging Ratio.                    

·       Planned, developed, and implemented an image processing algorithm (MATLAB) for Spinal Cord MRI data

·       Validated algorithms on pediatric clinical datasets

Teaching & Mentoring Experience

Graduate Teaching Assistant                                                                                                                   January 2024 – Present

School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona

• Instructor for CHM 235/237 Organic Chemistry Labs (48–70 students per section)

• Delivered pre‑lab lectures, safety training, and experiment supervision

• Proctored and graded lecture exams for CHM 231/233/234 (>300 students)

• Mentored student researchers in molecular biology, microscopy, and protein analysis

Pedagogical and Mentoring Activities                                                                                                           June 2022 – Present

• Mentored >15 students (undergraduate, graduate, and high school students) in research design, scientific communication, and laboratory skills

• Participated in ASU’s MOSAIC (Mentoring, Opportunities, Support, and Inclusiveness in Chemistry) outreach initiatives and UTA’s Multicultural Affairs.

Industry, Innovation & Professional Experience

Operations Manager, Summer Volunteer                                                                                            June 2023 – August 2023

Theriome Inc., Phoenix, Arizona

·       Managed daily operations for sample processing from dried blood spots for mass spectrometry (GC-MS)

·       Implemented procedures for efficient and compliant sample handling, focusing on systems biology

·       Led the operations team, focusing on high-performance and quality standards 

·       Coordinated with teams for innovation in personalized wellness analysis from genome to metabolome

Purdue Climate Scholar, Summer (Remote)                                                                                        June 2023 – August 2023

Purdue University & University of Puerto Rico

Summer Institute for Climate Change and Coastal Resilience, in collaboration with Blue Integrated Partnerships.

·       Presented a business pitch addressing women’s empowerment and LGBTQ+ inclusion in climate resilience

·       Explored gender-inclusive policy frameworks for climate-driven migration and coastal adaptation

·       Developed RenewedFlow, a circular-economy concept turning textile waste into sustainable menstrual products

Innovation and Technology Management Experience

Innovation Associate | Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida                                                     August 2017 – February 2018

Technology Intern | The University of Texas at Arlington, Texas                                                    September 2016 – May 2017

·       Evaluated patents, invention disclosures, and scientific manuscripts for patentability and commercialization viability

·       Collaborated with inventors and Industry partners to develop licensing and technology strategies

·       Prepared business cases, technology offering memorandums, and market analyses

·       Managed intellectual property portfolios using enterprise IP databases