Supervised by: Professor Madeleine Oudin and Hanan Christopher Bloomer at Tufts University 

As an aspiring oncology researcher, I’ve been looking for a way to do my toes into the field. The Oudin lab has been studying triple negative breast cancer, the most aggressive form of this cancer, for years, especially when it comes to sensory nerves because they are abundant in this type of cancer. Along with the help of the wonderful woman dominant team in the Oudin Lab, I will be looking at the nerve’s morphology in relation to its interaction with cancer cells. Understanding its morphology would give insight into exactly how the cancer cells and the nerves are affected by each other. To understand such a mechanism is very complex and requires various tests to assess the relationship. We already know that sympathetic nerves play a significant role in cancer metastasis speed of cancer cells. So now the specific structural and functional changes need to be determined.  The goal of this is to see if pre-existing nerve medications can be used towards creating cancer medications. This lab has been studying triple negative breast, cancer, metastasis, and the nervous system in various ways. I am interested in seeing how each person in the lab's research will contribute to the greater good of the cancer field . The goal of my project is to evaluate the effect of breast cancer cells on the morphology, structure and function of these nerves.

Turn off this summer, I’ll be coaching cells and using nerves for mice to perform various experiments in various conditions. They should give insight into the relationship and question and allow me to have more accurate information from my analysis. By creating protocols, and performing in vivo and in vitro experiments, my project plans will adapt based on the results which will require me to work in an imaginative way. I’m also learning imaging techniques to visualize what is going on when the cancer cells and neurons interact. Outside of the laboratory, I will be learning what it takes to be a woman leader, in such a competitive field. Not only will I be working with mostly women, but I will also be speaking to other leaders in the biomedical field, who could give me advice on how to navigate my way. Professor Oudin is adamant about encouraging more women to enter the research field and I want to take the same passion and uplift women of color.

When it comes to my leadership in action next summer, I’ve been looking into many organizations and nonprofits that have similar goals of encouraging women in STEM. I have also been looking at organizations in Spanish-speaking countries because I want to understand the language I’m learning from a cultural perspective. Overall, I want to continue furthering my personal research skills while uplifting others to take on similar journeys if that’s their passion regardless of the present barriers to entry.