Since graduate school (2010), I have mentored high school, undergraduate, and graduate students, as well as veterinary medicine students. My mentorship has included developing independent research projects, supporting scientific writing, providing guidance on CVs and personal statements, offering career advice, and supervising mentee progress. Mentorship has been critical to my own success and professional growth, and it remains one of the most important and meaningful aspects of my work. I view mentoring as both a responsibility and a long-term commitment to supporting the next generation of scientists and professionals.
Below is a list of my current and former mentees, along with their institutional affiliations at the time of mentorship.
Formal Mentoring Mentorship experience as a postdoctoral scholar at the University of California-Davis Summer 2020 *This is a virtual mentoring opportunity through the 2020 Michigan State University Bridge to Neuroscience Summer Program
Dariangelly Pacheco Cruz, Undergraduate student at the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico
Julienn Torres-Rodríguez, Undergraduate student at the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico
Yarimel Rosado, Undergraduate student at the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico
Spring 2020 - June 2021
Jaime Morales Gallardo, Undergraduate in Global Disease Biology and Chicana/o Studies at the University of California Davis.
Daniel Erenstein, Undergraduate student in neurobiology, physiology and behavior with a minor in professional writing at the University of California Davis.
Summer 2019 - June 2021
Alejandra Quezada, Undergraduate student in molecular biology at California State University, Sacramento, CA.
Summer 2019 - Spring 2020
KaeChandra B. Weyenberg, Dennis lab junior research specialist at the University of California Davis.
Summer 2019
Martiza Nava Rios, High school student from Sacramento Charter High School, Sacramento, CA.
Summer 2018 - Spring 2020
Aditya Sriram, Undergraduate student in Genetics and Genomics at the University of California Davis.
Summer 2018
Maribel Nava Rios, High school student from Sacramento Charter High School, Sacramento, CA.
Advait Thaploo, High school student from Mira Loma High School, Sacramento, CA.
Spring 2017 - Summer 2018
Maram Bader - Undergraduate student from the University of California Davis.
Spring 2017 - Summer 2017
Ipek Midillioglu - High school student from Davis High School, Davis, CA.
Mentorship experience as a graduate student at Michigan State University Fall 2016 - Spring 2017
Nicole Colón-Carrión, B.S.- Post baccalaureate student from the Bridge to the PhD in Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University Neuroscience Program.
Summer 2016
Jenna Baker, B.S. - Undergraduate student from Illinois Wesleyan University.
Doris Olekanma - Undergraduate student from Michigan State University Neuroscience Program.
Summer 2015
Nicole Colón-Carrión, Undergraduate student from the University of Puerto Rico-Cayey.
Ninoshka Caballero, Undergraduate student from University of Puerto Rico-Humacao.
Fall 2014
Fall 2014- May 2016- Neco Wilson, Undergraduate student from Michigan State University.
Summer 2014
Zuania Cordero, Undergraduate student from the University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras.
Stephanie Belhorn, B.S., 2nd year student from the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine
Summer 2013
Desirée Rolón Dones, B.S., 1st year student from the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine.
Pamela S. Vega Perez, B.S., 1st year student from the Tuskegee College of Veterinary Medicine.
Zuleyris Santana, Undergraduate student from University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras.
Spring 2013
Spring 2013- Summer 2014- Alberto L. Perez Medina, Undergraduate student from University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo.
Summer 2012
Michelle Torres Toledo, Undergraduate student from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Arecibo.
Sydmarid Escudero Rivera, Undergraduate student from Universidad de Puerto Rico-Arecibo.
Jon A. Musser, B.S., Student from the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine.
Summer 2011
Dynaira Burgos, Undergraduate student from Universidad de Puerto Rico-Cayey.
Summer 2010
Miranda Sanchez, B.S., 2nd year student from the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine.
Informal Mentoring Mentor at Ciencia Puerto Rico (CienciaPR) Semillas de Triunfo Initiative
Fall 2020 - Spring 2021, I served as the mentor of a middle school student interested in science. I helped her develop an activity on the science topic of her choice, focusing on raising awareness of the importance of recycling and its role in the survival of the tinglar turtle in Puerto Rico.
Writing coach and graduate student facilitator
Summer 2014 - 2016, MSU Summer Research Opportunities (SROP) Program. I served as a graduate student facilitator, meeting weekly with a group of ~12 summer interns each summer to provide feedback on their research and scientific presentations. I also served as a writing coach for these scholars and gave them feedback on their scientific papers, CVs, personal statements, and scientific posters.
Writing coach
Summer 2012 - 2016, MSU Bridge to the PhD in Neuroscience (BPNP) Summer Program. I developed the written assignments and supporting materials for the BPNP Summer Program. I served as a graduate student facilitator, meeting weekly with all summer interns to provide feedback on their research and scientific presentations. I also served as a writing coach for these scholars and gave them feedback on their scientific papers, CVs, personal statements, and scientific posters.
Peer mentor
2011 - 2019, Society of Toxicology Annual Meeting Undergraduate Diversity Program. I served as a Peer Mentor in a 3-day program for underrepresented minority undergraduate students in the biological sciences who would like to learn about toxicology and graduate school. As peer mentors, we provide advice on applying and being productive/successful in graduate school, teach about the types of careers/professions you can pursue as a toxicologist, and serve as guides at the annual meeting while teaching students the different areas of toxicology.
Awards for mentoring
Sor Isolina Ferré Award for Excellence in Service-Education category. Given by the Puerto Rican Government, The House of Representatives. September 2023.
SACNAS 2022 NDiSTEM Outstanding Hispanic Student Mentor Award. October 2022.