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Research Projects

Institute for Nanobiotechnology &

Institute for Computational Medicine 

Johns Hopkins University        

Summer 2016 

  • Participated in a lab research project studying the effects of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor concentration gradients on Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells.

  • Cultured endothelial cells and programmed a microscope to track the cells for a period of 10 hours.

  • Analyzed data from the microscope using MATLAB, ImageJ, and Python.

  • Developed presentation skills by participating in a poster session and an oral presentation.

  • Worked collaboratively with postgraduates, graduate students, undergraduate students, and fellow interns throughout the summer.

Hamon Center for Regenerative Science & Medicine 

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center         

Summer 2017

  • Participated in an epilepsy research lab studying the effects of knocking out the genes CHD2 and ARX on human induced pluripotent stem cells in 2D culture as well as 3D culture. 

  • Differentiated stem cells into neurons as well as organoids. 

  • Utilized a variety of techniques to analyze data such as flow cytometry, western blots, immunohistochemistry, and qPCR.

  • Collected and analyzed representative images of 2D cell cultures using a confocal microscope and ImageJ.

  • Improved presentation skills by participating in a poster session as well as delivering an oral presentation of the research done over the summer.

  • Took a course provided by the SURF program called Cancer Cell Biology.

Microfluidics and Nanofluidics Laboratory

University of South Carolina 

Spring 2017 - Spring 2018       

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  • Independent research regarding the principle of dielectrophoresis and its application in a microfluidics platform.

  • Utilize a function generator, microscope, CCD camera, and a microfluidics chip to perform microfluidics experiments.

  • Use dielectrophoresis to manipulate microparticles.

  • Measure shear stress of biofluids using a microfluidic chip.

  • Review the current need and methods of measuring shear stress in biomedical science, design and fabricate a new one.

  • Experimentally demonstrate the feasibility of using a microfluidics device to measure shear stress and optimize the performance of the device.  

Image Credit: College of Engineering and Computing Website

https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/engineering_and_computing/research/labsandgroup/microfluidics/facilities.php 

 

Biomedical Engineering Department 

University of South Carolina 

Fall 2017 - Spring 2018        

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  • Engineering a reliable and cost-efficient source of the protein Amyloid Beta (Aβ) for research purposes.

  • Transform Escherichia coli (E. coli) with a vector to produce Aβ.

  • Extract and purify Aβ from E. coli using sonication, affinity chromatography, and dialysis.

  • Optimize transformation, extraction, and purification protocols to be feasible and cost-effective

Unless otherwise noted, all images from Seleste Villalon 

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