GCSP REU: LGR5+ Cell distribution in Airways Across Space and Time

Spring 2026

Executed a spatial mapping project to determine why pulmonary repair capacity diminishes with age, using the porcine lung as a translational model for human anatomy.Developed automated QuPath protocols for LGR5+ nuclei detection and airway measurement.

Identified a developmental transition from spatial uniformity in newborns to significant regional differences in juveniles. Findings provided the statistical baseline for a lifespan-wide pulmonary atlas, including fetal and aged boar models.

Mentoring Catalyst Engineering Research, Career, and Communication Workshop

Spring 2026

The first of its kind. One of three NCSU students chosen for this workshop with students from all across the country.

Discussed with panels the costs and rewards of pursuing a PhD and career in research.

Icebreakers and Improv

U-TEAM CMI Fellowship: LGR5+ Cell Spatial Distribution in Intervertebral Discs

Summer 2025

Investigated the spatial patterning of LGR5+ cells in the porcine vertebral column to identify potential therapeutic targets for degenerative disc disease.

Identified LGR5 expression specifically at the annulus fibrosus edges, suggesting a localized developmental role in IVD patterning.

Skills: Cryosectioning, Immunohistochemical Staining, Confocal Microscopy.

Piedrahita Lab Logo

Spring 2026

This is a logo I made for Piedrahita lab in Biorender. Reflects the LGR5-H2B-GFP gene-edited porcine model that we use for understanding the roles that LGR5-expressing cells have in the development and regeneration of different tissues.

Represents not only a time that I used my artistic ability in a STEM space but also a year of built up confidence in the lab.

Expert Theory Wargame: Sleeping Giants

Spring 2026

Represented Team Brazil in a 2030 geopolitical simulation centered on AI supremacy and rare-earth element supply chains. I served as a key strategist, navigating supply chain shocks and political radicalization to secure a first-place finish.

Hosted by UNC Global Affairs, Triangle Institute for Security Studies, WINS, and CSEEES.

The Bad Idea Pitch Competition

Spring 2026

Selected as the sole student team to compete alongside seasoned entrepreneurs in a high-stakes satirical pitch event hosted within the local innovation ecosystem, for Raliegh-Durham Startup Week.

Mentored by Amanda Stockwell to refine our narrative and delivery.

Defended Cling Capital viability against a panel of professional judges, focusing on quick-witted response and public speaking.

VenturePack Challenge Finalist Award

Village Mentor - Albright Entrepreneurs Village

Spring 2025 - Spring 2027

Planned and executed events for the entrepreneurship community on centennial campus at NCSU.

Built community through a shared entrepreneurial and innovative spirit.

Supported by a strong team. Including mentors Ahmed Ali and Alexa Schleien

GCSP Annual Meeting Rome and UCBM COIL

Spring 2026

Selected to represent NC State at the 2026 Annual Meeting at Sapienza Università di Roma.

Partnered with students from Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma to create and Present a COIL project on national health databases.

Engaged in discussions on the pitfalls of engineering education as well as altenative service breaks, emphasizing that impactful engineering must be reparable and embraced by the local community.

NCSU and UCBM Scholars in front of Colliseum

St. Valentine's Relic on St. Valentine's Day

Colombia Study Abroad

Summer 2024

Studied abroad in Barranquilla, Colombia. I took classes in engineering economics and geographies of energy at UniNorte, one of the highest rated universities in the country. Toured energy companies, Gecelca and Promigas. Learned more about Colombian and Caribbean culture then I'd ever thought I'd know. And made a ton of friends, some I see every so often on NC State's campus, some 1,700 miles away.

Mountains in Minca

Historic Cartagena

Marimonda

Event Highlight: AEV Non-Profit Day

Spring 2026

As a village mentor organized and executed a day trip to 501(c)(3) organizations in Durham to discuss with their leadership the mission and outcomes of their work.

Durham Non-Profit Day Recap

Museum of Life and Science Education Facilitator

Fall 2023 - Spring 2026

Worked in the Education and Engagement department. Utilized inquiry-based learning to engage young learners, facilitated spaces and experiments for guests of the Museum. Trained in animal, insect, planetarium and liquid nitrogen demonstrations.

HON 498: Research Independence

A semester-long deep dive into the Piedrahita Lab that served as a catalyst for my growth as an independent biomedical investigator.

Progressed from learning imaging fundamentals to developing and documenting lab-wide protocols for digital pathology. Contributed critical statistical data to a grant proposal, proving the real-world impact of my findings.

Stepped into a mentorship role, training lab members and visiting researchers on QuPath and computational analysis.

BME 302 Lab Report

Human Physiology: Mechanical Analysis was one of my favorite courses at NC State.

Learned about the vascular, pulmonary and renal systems and the muscles and pressures that drive them.

STS 490: Geographies of Energy

A course taken in Colombia focused on how energy generation, transfer and usage affect national identity.

Venzuela National Energy Profile

An in-class presentation on Venezuela's energy identity, spoiler alert: it has to do with oil.

Energy Inequality Podcast

As a project for this course, fellow NC State student Austin Robinson and I sat down with Karoll Torres to discuss the energy identity of Colombia and the inequality therein.

MUS 270: Songwriting with DAWs

This course was a step toward musical liberation for me. Giving time, deadlines, structure and critiques for songwriting allowed me to just make decisions and not dwell on the minutiae of any part of the song. Aaron Keane was an excellent instructor, he lived the audio engineering life and had music projects that were super high quality.

I did all of the guitars and vocals on the songs. My not yet roommate, Zack Brooks, did all of the producing. Together we figured out the song structure, like we were playing madlibs. Then I would free-style lyrics over the top of the track, two or three times, and we'd pick the best bits. That was our method.

My biggest regret of the course is that I never took the second level, MUS 370.

As a funny side note, we got more points if our songs had a bridge. So, in the recordings if you hear me say bridge, that's just me securing a higher grade.

HON 202: The Art of War

My first course of college and first year honors course, The Art of War with Dr. Catherine Mainland. I believe this course was chosen for me, but whoever made that decision made a good one.

We did not read The Art of War.

Short Paper Hemingway