EDUCATION:
Stony Brook University
Bachelor of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering, Graduation Date: May 2022
Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering, Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2023
EXPERIENCE:
Research Associate, Department of Pathology
- Conducted an extensive literature search of over 100 papers. Compiled and analyzed previous studies on the oncogenic mechanisms of keratin 17, which were included in a published review article.
- Completed cell culture treatments of keratin 17 positive and negative cells to test their chemoresistance to common antineoplastic drugs. Conducted WST-1 assay to measure cell viability and completed data analysis to plot the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) using GraphPad PRISM.
- Master’s project in progress: Project to determine what causes the transformation of keratin 17 and the pathways which upregulate its expression in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma by utilizing the following methods to obtain preliminary data: western blots, immunofluorescent staining, nuclear extraction and fractionation, and laser capture microdissection.
Research & Development Intern, Becton Dickinson
- Developed a standard operating procedure and benchtop methods for visualizing platelet adhesion on microplates coated with various extracellular matrix components and platelet agonists using a fluorescent microscope. Isolated platelet-rich plasma from citrated whole blood to conduct in-lab testing to optimize and finalize the protocol.
- Performed an extensive literature search of over 50 publications to investigate anti-platelet adhesion materials and methods.
Medical Affairs Intern, Delcath Systems, Inc.
- Searched and critically screened 150+ pieces of scientific, technical, and medical literature using PubMed to identify relevant scientific concepts such as biomarkers for liver metastatic colorectal cancer and uveal melanoma.
- Analyzed and interpreted the data supporting the applicability of various diagnostic technologies including a description of the mechanism of action. Summarized and assessed the strength of the data and screened the set for potential clinical utility.
- Created a “shell” investigative plan for a clinical study quantifying ctDNA across the liver to determine if there is an association between ctDNA extraction and the presence of metastatic liver cancer.
Engineering Intern, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
- Identified metabolic synthetic lethalities in NRF2 overexpressing cells and executed cell and tissue culture including seeding, expanding, freezing, and treating cells and subjected them to ischemic conditions using a hypoxia chamber and customized cell growth media.
- Conducted dose response experiments in order to determine what concentration of the glutaminase inhibitor, CB839, is most effective in different lung cancer cell lines.
- Assisted in establishing patient-derived tumor organoids from needle core biopsies with high efficiency.
- Performed cell proliferation and cell viability assays using CellTiter-Glo and completed data analysis using GraphPad PRISM.
SKILLS:
Laboratory Techniques:
- Mammalian cell culture, western blot, immunofluorescent staining, RNA tumor extraction, cell viability assays, immunohistochemistry, laser capture microdissection
Software:
- GraphPad PRISM, Autodesk Fusion 360, ImageJ, Microsoft Office, SPSS Statistics, MATLAB
PUBLICATIONS:
Baraks, G., Tseng, R., Pan, C. H., Kasliwal, S., Leiton, C. V., Shroyer, K. R., & Escobar-Hoyos, L. F. (2021). Dissecting the Oncogenic Roles of Keratin 17 in the Hallmarks of Cancer. Cancer research, canres.2522.2021. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-21-2522