Experience

Research

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT

• Undergraduate Research Assistant at the Berkland-Forrest Lab since Spring 2023 under the guidance of PhD candidate Grant Downes.

• Research for credit. C&PE 661: Undergraduate Honors Research over Summer 2023. Grade: A

Selected Research Experience

• Independent research: HA-Collagen-Fibronectin gel synthesis and comparatives in protein release. Abstract

• Purifications of cationic proinsulin variants with HiPrep™ 26/10 Desalting Column on AKTA FPLC.

• Click chemistry: peptides, 4x & 9x reactants, 25% DMSO.

• HA-butyraldehyde conjugation with DMTMM

• HA-aldehyde and InsC-HIP & Control peptide conjugation

RESEARCHER, AREQUIPA, PERU

• Conducted chemistry research on microplastics as a vector for heavy metals in Arequipa's main river. Main technique used: ICP-MS.

• Wrote a scientific paper for the research in an extended essay format (IBDP.)

• Worked along with Peruvian universities such as UPC to access the laboratory and equipment needed.
  

ASSISTANT RESEARCHER

• Contributing to the development and optimization of the AROMA patent under Jennifer A. Villwock, MD, FAAOA, focusing on innovative methodologies for olfactory research at the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC).

• Conducted DSC and TGA analyses to assess the thermal stability and composition of three NIH biopharmaceuticals, providing comprehensive data on formulation stability and material properties essential for drug development.

• Coordinated and executed rodent studies to investigate pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and pKa profiles, providing critical data for the preclinical evaluation and optimization of a novel drug.

• Performed UPLC analyses for solubility testing and quantification of active pharmaceutical ingredients in three NIH drug candidates, alongside spray drying to develop stable formulations for preclinical evaluation.