Independent Student Researcher
Anti-Neuroinflammation Research
October 2024 – June 2025
Project: Phytochemical Intervention for Neuroinflammation: Quercetin in Modulating Macrophage Dynamics at the Blood–Brain-Barrier.
- Researched a novel way to reduce neuroinflammation using the phytochemical quercetin.
- Conducted wet-lab work — viability assays via fluorescence imaging and macrophage adhesion assays — and is now advancing the project computationally for more precise molecular targeting.
- Built skills in cell culture, cell labeling, plate coating, GraphPad Prism, and ImageJ.
- Selected as ISEF Finalist, NJSHS National Delegate, and National STEM Champion; featured on NBC for this project.
Founder & Director
SparkLabs · Nonprofit
2024 – Present
Founded a 501(c)(3) youth STEM nonprofit turning circuits, coding, robotics, biology, and chemistry into hands-on learning.
- Led STEM workshops and activities throughout Puerto Rico.
- Designed a year-long free STEAM workshop partnership with the San Juan Community Library covering monthly sessions.
- Secured funded materials and sponsors, and built community-service opportunities for student volunteers.
- Partnered with and supported by the Smithsonian, COSI, Girl Scouts, and more.
- Fiscally sponsored by HCB.
Student Research Assistant
Organophosphate Treatment Research
Aug 2025 – Present
Project: Kallikrein–Kinin System Modulation to Preserve Neurovascular Integrity after Organophosphate Exposure.
- Researching the role of the kallikrein–kinin system on endothelial cells upon organophosphate exposure.
- Used functional assays like Seahorse bioenergetics and tight-junction protein analysis.
- Using computational tools to map the relevant pathway and network interactions.
- Selected as 2026 ISEF Finalist — Phoenix, AZ — and National JSHS Recognition Program awardee.
Captain
FIRST Global Challenge · Team Puerto Rico
2024 · Athens, Greece
Led Team Puerto Rico to #9 of 190 countries at the 2024 FIRST Global Challenge in Athens, Greece.
- Served as main spokesperson and principal writer of the team's engineering portfolio.
- Oversaw all mechanical procedures and led press efforts.
- Ran fundraising that raised over $25,000.
- Ranked #9 of 190 countries and #6 in alliances.
Prosthetic Design & Development
Biomedical Innovation Center · Dr. Abraham Schwartz, UPR-RCM
2023 – Present
Designing, developing, 3D-printing, and donating low-cost prosthetic arms — from CAD modeling to material selection and print calibration.
- Worked with OpenSCAD to modify and scale the prosthetic design for a precise fit.
- Used 3DWOX slicing software to tune layer height and print speed for print quality.
- Currently exploring better materials, designs, and alternatives — biocompatible print options for lower-cost components.
Developer
GoldenCarePR · Self-employed
2025 – Present
Winner of the Congressional App Challenge 2025 (PR-00) — a unified care dashboard for Puerto Rico's aging population.
- Brings digital health records, task management, and curated elder-care resources into one bilingual, accessible app.
- Received a Congressional Commendation for community impact supporting elder communities.
- Presented at #HouseOfCode — the largest student computer science festival in the U.S. — to 300+ students, educators, and policymakers.
- Currently working with the Puerto Rico Science and Research Trust's Public Health Division to launch the app.
STEM Ambassador
Seeds of Success · Ciencia Puerto Rico
2023 – 2024
Presented my first prosthetic prototype — an early, starter version of the project above — to bring awareness about how technology can change lives; featured by Girl Scouts Caribe and covered in the news.
STEM Mentor
L'Oréal For Girls in Science · with Ciencia Puerto Rico
2024 – 2025
Mentored other girls through their own STEM ambassador projects as part of the L'Oréal For Girls in Science–PR Cohort 2024–2025.
- Guided fellow ambassadors through planning and executing their own STEAM projects.
- Helped explain how the program works to new cohort members.
Program Participant
UNITE Summer Program · University of Puerto Rico
Summer 2025
Hands-on physics and electrical engineering — from Arduino to thin-film production, spintronics, and semiconductors.
- Interactive lectures, problem-solving workshops, and visits to government labs and engineering facilities.
- Invited to a local lab to work on thin-film production: PLD, ALD, and MBE.
- Sparked an interest in applying thin films to biomedical engineering.
Program Participant
Nano-Envi Summer Program · University of Puerto Rico
Summer 2023
Researched how perovskite — a calcium titanium oxide mineral — can produce eco-friendly energy through nanotechnology.
- Explored how nanotechnology can produce efficient environmental solutions.
- Manipulated perovskite's chemical components for better conductivity.
- Presented results to the physics and chemistry department faculty at the end of the program.
