Undergraduate Research Associate

I am an Undergraduate Researcher and Emergency Medical Technician pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences at The University of Texas at Dallas. My research focuses on the intersection of synthetic biology, CRISPR-based technologies, and translational biomedical applications, with a long-term goal of becoming a physician-scientist specializing in orthopedic surgery or emergency medicine. Research Experience I currently work as an Undergraduate Research Associate in the Bleris Lab at UT Dallas, where I conduct research on CRISPR-based cell authentication technologies and genetic circuit design in mammalian synthetic biology. My primary project involves systematically characterizing the stability and robustness of genetic Physical Unclonable Functions (PUFs) under real-world laboratory conditions. This work addresses the critical problem of cell line misidentification in biomedical research by testing whether PUF signatures remain stable when cells experience various stressors, including extended passaging, cryopreservation, culture stress, and post-transfection manipulation. Through this research, I am developing expertise in mammalian cell culture, molecular biology techniques including transfection and DNA extraction, next-generation sequencing data analysis, and bioinformatics. Clinical Background I bring a unique clinical perspective to my research through my work as a certified Emergency Medical Technician. I have served with Travis County ESD 2 (Pflugerville Fire Department), Team Rubicon Texas as a volunteer disaster response EMT (including deployment to Kerr County following July 4th floods), and the Texas Medical Reserve Corps providing emergency medical services at free clinics across multiple Texas counties. This clinical experience informs my approach to translational research, as I understand firsthand how molecular discoveries must ultimately translate to improved patient care. Research Interests My research interests lie at the convergence of several key areas: -Synthetic Biology & Genome Engineering: CRISPR-Cas systems, genetic circuit design, cell line authentication, biosecurity applications of genome editing technologies -Translational Biomedical Research: Chemical biology, bioengineering approaches to clinical problems, drug development, diagnostic technologies -Musculoskeletal & Trauma Medicine: Orthopedic biomaterials, tissue engineering, mechanisms of injury and healing, emergency medical systems -Medical Imaging & AI: Quantitative imaging analysis, machine learning applications in diagnostic medicine, image-guided interventions Academic Leadership I founded and serve as Co-President of the UTD Biomedical Professionals Society, establishing organizational infrastructure and governance to support students pursuing careers in biomedical research and clinical medicine. This leadership role reflects my commitment to building collaborative research communities and mentoring peers interested in physician-scientist pathways. Technical Skills Molecular Biology: Cell culture, transfection, DNA extraction, PCR, sequencing analysis, basic bioinformatics Computational: Python, Java, JavaScript, HTML/CSS, data analysis, statistical methods Communication: Scientific writing, public presentation, educational content development, translation of complex concepts for diverse audiences Career Goals I am pursuing an integrated physician-scientist career path, planning to complete medical school followed by specialization in orthopedic surgery, emergency medicine, or orthopedic trauma. I aim to establish a research program that bridges cutting-edge molecular biology with direct clinical applications, conducting translational research that improves diagnostic accuracy, treatment outcomes, and our fundamental understanding of disease mechanisms. My dual background in emergency medicine and laboratory research positions me to address clinical problems from both bench and bedside perspectives. Publications & Presentations Currently working toward first-author presentations and publications from my ongoing URSA research project on PUF stability characterization, with an anticipated presentation at UT Dallas Undergraduate Research Scholar Award competition (April 2026). Contact Information: Email: [email protected] Secondary Email: [email protected] Institution: The University of Texas at Dallas Department: School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Biomedical Sciences