Research interest / current research work
I focus on studying how T-regulatory cells respond during chronic viral infection
Field of clinical interest
Oncology, Infectious Diseases
Undergrad institution
Universidad de Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus
What are your hobbies?
Brewing coffee at home, working out, and watching “Schitt’s Creek”- Moira Rose’s humor is all I didn’t know I needed.
Craziest experience you’ve ever had?
As you can imagine, trains are pretty much not a thing in Puerto Rico, and therefore I have very little knowledge on how to navigate city train systems. During one of my MSTP interviews, I got lost in Grand Central Terminal in NYC and got into the wrong train. Turns out it was an express train to Connecticut! Long story short - I found a train attendant who (after breathing heavily) paged the train driver using a loud intercom, “We got a lost passenger, could we make an emergency stop at the next station”. - I arrived on time for my interview, by the way.
Most impactful experience you’ve ever had?
In 2018, I moved to Philadelphia by myself for starting a post-baccalaureate position at UPenn. In the beginning, my conversational English skills were so poor I had to draw down my ideas when meeting with my mentor for us to be able to understand each other. Every time I was overwhelmed by the embarrassment at myself, my mentor would look at me say, “You speak two languages, be proud of that. We will keep trying”.
Something else you’d like people to know about you?
I spent 15 years actively involved as a Boy Scout back in Puerto Rico. I also completed the Eagle Scout Rank in 2012.