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Mentor: Roberto Rodriguez Morales, Ph.D.
Affiliation: University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus
Project title: Uncovering hair cell regeneration in the blind Mexican Tetra
Project Description: My research focuses on sensory regeneration in the blind Mexican cavefish (Astyanax mexicanus). Specifically, I investigate how the lateral line system regenerates after damage, comparing surface and cave morphs to uncover cellular and molecular mechanisms that govern repair and sensory adaptation. My goal is to identify principles of regeneration that can ultimately inform strategies for restoring hearing and balance in humans.
Published work and presentations
Published paper:
Schmoker AM, Perez Pearson LM, Cruz C, Colon Flores LG, Branfeild S, Pagán Torres FD, Fonseca K, Cantres YM, Salgado Ramirez CA, Melendez LM, Ballif BA, Washington AV. Defining the TLT-1 interactome from resting and activated human platelets. J Proteomics. 2020 Mar 20;215:103638. doi: 10.1016/j.jprot.2020.103638. Epub 2020 Jan 8. PMID: 31923473; PMCID: PMC7044047.
I love arts and cooking, whether I’m experimenting in the kitchen or painting, creativity is a big part of my life.