Presenting Author
University of California Davis
My long-term goal is to work in the biotechnology industry as a research scientist bringing drug products to market. My research journey began at San Francisco State University (SFSU) where I majored in biochemistry and joined Dr. Ichimura’s group. Dr. Ichimura’s research focuses on materials with energy and environmental remediation applications. My research project was on how zeolites, a microporous crystalline substance, could catalyze water and carbon dioxide into methanol. My research project was selected for the California State University Program for Education and Research in Biotechnology (CSUPERB), which allowed me to present at the California State University (CSU) Biotechnology symposium. After graduation, I worked at Genentech, where I meshed the training of my undergraduate classes and research skills to understand freeze-dried drug products. The combined experiences from researching in my undergraduate and in the biotechnology industry cemented my enthusiasm for science and determination to pursue a doctorate degree.
Currently, I am Ph.D. student in the Pharmacology and Toxicology graduate group at UC Davis, part of Drs. Nieves-Cintrón and Navedo laboratory. I am working to understand the effects of nicotine on signal transduction in the vasculature. Vascular smooth muscle (VSM) receives many inputs from sympathetic nerves that regulate vascular function by activating GS protein-coupled receptors (GSPCRs). The activation of GSPCRs stimulates adenylyl cyclase (ACs) leading to the synthesis of the ubiquitous second messenger 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). cAMP signaling regulates many critical cellular events in arterial myocytes including proliferation and contractility. Nicotine is the primary addictive component in tobacco products and is a strong sympathomimetic with significant vasoactive effects. My research aims to understand how nicotine impacts cAMP signaling in the vasculature and the implications of these changes in vascular function. While the use of combustible tobacco has decreased, tobacco-free nicotine delivery systems, such as e-cigarettes, have gained popularity as a surrogate for tobacco smoke among smokers and young individuals (including children). Understanding the biological effects of nicotine at the cellular and organ-system level is critical to better tackle health conditions related to nicotine use. It will also provide valuable information for the regulation of tobacco products.
My long term goal is to work in the biotechnology industry again where I can bring the skills of my Ph.D. in pharmacology and toxicology and use them to assist in making drug products.