Staff

Current Research Interests

Human induced pluripotent stem cell models (hiPSC) of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders of autophagy, Diversity recruitment, retention and pipeline programs for medical science education, Self-assessment in undergraduate medical education.

 

Education

[2000-2004] - B.S. University of Arizona with Honors, Magna Cum Laude, Molecular and Cellular Biology.

[2005-2011] - Ph.D. University of California San Diego, Molecular Pathology Graduate Program, Advisor: Roberta Gottlieb, MD.

 

Positions

[1999] - NASA-SHARPS Plus Research Intern, Southern University, Department of Biochemistry.

[2001-2004] - Research Assistant, University of Arizona, Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy.

[2002-2004] - Science Connection Teacher, 3rd-5th grade, Safford Elementary, Tucson, Az.

[2005] - Staff Research Associate II, University of California San Diego, Department of Biology.

[2011-2013] - Postdoctoral Fellow, University of California San Diego, Department of Medicine, Co-Advisors: Eric Adler, MD; Neil Chi, MD PhD.

[2013] - Unit Manager, TTUHSC-EP PLFSOM, Department of Medical Education.

[2014-2015] - Faculty Associate, TTUHSC-EP PLFSOM, Department of Medical Education.

[2015] - Assistant Professor, TTUHSC-EP PLFSOM, Department of Medical Education.

 

Distinctions/Interests

• [2005] NSF-CAMP Bridges to the Doctorate (BD) Fellowship- 2 year award.
• [2007] NIH-Ruth L. Kirschstein (NRSA) F31 Individual Fellowship-4 year award.
• [2008] Cardiovascular Outreach Award, American Heart Association BCVS Conference.
• [2013] UCSD Stem Cell Program travel award 11th Annual ISSCR Meeting.
• [2013] Cardiovascular Outreach Award, American Heart Association BCVS Conference.
• [2012] NIH-Ruth L. Kirschstein (NRSA) F32 Individual Fellowship- 2 year award.
• [2012] Cellular Dynamics International Innovative Research Grant.
• Invited speaker to 8 scientific conferences.
• 21 poster presentations.
• Author of 15 peer reviewed manuscripts.
• First author of 1 book chapter and 1 review.
• American Heart Association (AHA) member.
• Women in Medicine and Science (WIMS) TTUHSC-EP.
• Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science member.
• International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) member.
• International Association for Medical Science Educators (IAMSE) member.
• Team Based Learning Collaborative member.
• Reviewer for Medical Science Educator.