Capstone: Synthesized Compounds & their Effect on Mycobacterium smegmatis, resembling TB
Tuberculosis is a prominent issue in underdeveloped countries and one of the top leading causes of death. Current treatment consists of an intensive and extensive regimen. This research focuses on the synthesis of monomers and polymers and the compound effect on Mycobacterium smegmatis, a safer model of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The goal is to optimize the current treatment that targets both active and inactive versions of the bacteria to kill off the infection overall.
When selecting a project to work on, I wanted to ensure it'd be something that could benefit the general population--what better topic than TB which is
one of the biggest health concerns in underprivileged countries? My efforts resulted in useful results which will,
hopefully one day, lead to medical advances for those in dire need!
one of the biggest health concerns in underprivileged countries? My efforts resulted in useful results which will,
hopefully one day, lead to medical advances for those in dire need!
Life as an Undergraduate Student
Pursuing a Bachelors of Science in Biochemistry
Leadership/Student Engagement
Roles that both Directly and Indirectly Impact Local, National, and International Communities
As an e-board/chair member of various organizations, it is up to me to lead by example: I attend all meetings and actively participate in discussion of topics that affect individuals across the globe, I volunteer my time as much as possible within the shared opportunities, and I offer my peers different ways to get involved and make a change. I also hope to inspire others to become more engaged and help be the change!
As an e-board/chair member of various organizations, it is up to me to lead by example: I attend all meetings and actively participate in discussion of topics that affect individuals across the globe, I volunteer my time as much as possible within the shared opportunities, and I offer my peers different ways to get involved and make a change. I also hope to inspire others to become more engaged and help be the change!
Ongoing Projects/Active Membership
How make a Change Without a Title
One does not necessarily have to uphold a position of leadership to be a leader or positively impact communities--being an active member in an organization makes all the difference! By simply participating and volunteering my time, I have educated the homeless on their current blood pressure and mental states to hopefully encourage bettering their lifestyles, diminished the amount of waste harming our environment, supported restless doctors that help sick kids, aided the underprivileged in a third world country, and fed our local South Florida residents, offering them nutritious foods for their diet!
One does not necessarily have to uphold a position of leadership to be a leader or positively impact communities--being an active member in an organization makes all the difference! By simply participating and volunteering my time, I have educated the homeless on their current blood pressure and mental states to hopefully encourage bettering their lifestyles, diminished the amount of waste harming our environment, supported restless doctors that help sick kids, aided the underprivileged in a third world country, and fed our local South Florida residents, offering them nutritious foods for their diet!
Global Learning
Tuesday Times Roundtable (TTRs)
FIU's TTRs provided an immense amount of insight on the struggles we must all overcome. As a Latina woman from Cuba, I face some discrimination which are highlighted in my selected seminars.
FIU's TTRs provided an immense amount of insight on the struggles we must all overcome. As a Latina woman from Cuba, I face some discrimination which are highlighted in my selected seminars.
Global Learning Courses
These courses dove deep on real-world issues that we all face one way or another--some of which were pretty uncomfortable to speak about... but I think that was the point. One cannot commence change without first feeling uncomfortable. These courses offered various global perspectives that were interesting to think about and dissect.
These courses dove deep on real-world issues that we all face one way or another--some of which were pretty uncomfortable to speak about... but I think that was the point. One cannot commence change without first feeling uncomfortable. These courses offered various global perspectives that were interesting to think about and dissect.
MedX Trip
Stepping out of my Comfort Zone
This international student Medical Mission trip truly opened my eyes to third-world problems and made me greatly appreciate my personal living conditions--I no longer take absolutely anything for granted. Rural DR is nothing like the vacation spots, or what is seen on advertisements; the culture shock was immense: the roads are all cracked, the showers are ice-cold, there is no air conditioning and there is a lack of education as well as general advancement and resources.
Throughout the week, we were guided by local doctors and nurses that taught us about different specialties and practices; we were exposed to true hospital settings of the devastated; we witnessed the birth of an 8th child, the abortion of another, the c-section of another, and also viewed unviable fetuses; we were taught how to measure blood pressure, glucose levels and oxygen rates--with this, we walked around the hospital and local neighborhoods educating the public on their current health; we also participated in educational suturing and phlebotomy workshops; on top of this, we also shadowed multiple ORs and viewed different procedures including the removal of a hernia, microfilament extraction, and bone fixation.
Walking in these shoes for a week definitely opened my eyes--this trip was the definition of Global Awareness. This experience was truly remarkable; it made me realize my potential and confirmed my interests and passions as a future physician. Once an MD, I plan on owning my own practice and working without borders to provide those in need with the basic health components.
This international student Medical Mission trip truly opened my eyes to third-world problems and made me greatly appreciate my personal living conditions--I no longer take absolutely anything for granted. Rural DR is nothing like the vacation spots, or what is seen on advertisements; the culture shock was immense: the roads are all cracked, the showers are ice-cold, there is no air conditioning and there is a lack of education as well as general advancement and resources.
Throughout the week, we were guided by local doctors and nurses that taught us about different specialties and practices; we were exposed to true hospital settings of the devastated; we witnessed the birth of an 8th child, the abortion of another, the c-section of another, and also viewed unviable fetuses; we were taught how to measure blood pressure, glucose levels and oxygen rates--with this, we walked around the hospital and local neighborhoods educating the public on their current health; we also participated in educational suturing and phlebotomy workshops; on top of this, we also shadowed multiple ORs and viewed different procedures including the removal of a hernia, microfilament extraction, and bone fixation.
Walking in these shoes for a week definitely opened my eyes--this trip was the definition of Global Awareness. This experience was truly remarkable; it made me realize my potential and confirmed my interests and passions as a future physician. Once an MD, I plan on owning my own practice and working without borders to provide those in need with the basic health components.