Graduate Student
I hail from the Area of the Bay! I was born and raised in San José, California. I received my B.S. in biochemistry and M.S. in chemistry at San José State University studying midgut serine proteases from the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes as a potential vector control strategy. Coming here to UIUC was different for two big main reasons: 1) Negative temperatures and 2) lack of good sushi and carne asada fries. I mean, if you know a good place, please let me know because I have been spoiled by the west coast and having withdrawals. I am always down to eat because food is life. When you see me, I may have a big smile or my usual stoic face while hiding in the corner where my bench is, but I do not bite; unlike the mice we take care in our research group. What drove me to join Prof. Anakk’s research group was the welcoming environment and the patience everyone has when it comes to teaching others. Not every student who goes to graduate school knows what field of research they may end up in or which specific project they want to zone on in. A big majority of it, I feel, is what you want to get out of graduate school and what techniques you would like to learn to apply towards your future career.
As you may tell, I like to eat, so for the project I am a part of, we are elucidating the gut’s role in bile acid homeostasis. We are especially interested in the nuclear receptor called small heterodimer partner (SHP), one of the master regulators of the entero-hepatic bile acid circulation, that has been extensively investigated in the liver. However, its role in the gut is still poorly understood. We are currently interested how the presence and knockout of intestinal SHP affects bile acid levels and other important nuclear receptors and bile acid transporters.
In my free time, I enjoy watching anime (One Piece being my favorite), playing video games, binge watching tv series and movies, de-stressing with my friends, and working out at the ARC or CRCE!
As an adult during my free time, I “enjoy” cleaning my apartment, cooking, paying my bills, and trying to find time to enjoy my free time.