Research

Stanford University School of Medicine

Study how the Alzheimer's-associated NLRP3 inflammasome interacts with the human peptide LL-37 through protein modeling and laboratory experiments.

• Use protein docking, structural modeling, and AI-assisted analysis to identify potential binding sites and evaluate candidate domains of NLRP3.
• Conduct laboratory experiments that complement and help test computational findings.
• Map Alzheimer's-associated genes in collaboration with Dr. James J. Truchard and Benjamin Gustafsson.

UCI School of Medicine

Analyze GWAS summary statistics and candidate genes to study the genetics of myasthenia gravis, psychiatric traits, neurodevelopmental disorders, and epilepsy.

• Process and quality-control GWAS summary statistics for myasthenia gravis, major depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety using Python, R, and Linux/Bash.
• Run LDSC genetic-correlation and R-based colocalization analyses, then use FUMA SNP2GENE and GENE2FUNC to annotate risk loci, prioritize genes, and evaluate pathway enrichment.
• Review candidate genes associated with neurodevelopmental disorders and epilepsy, summarizing phenotypes, inheritance patterns, molecular mechanisms, evidence strength, and key studies.

UCR Department of Psychology

Study links among chronic occupational stress, HPA-axis dysregulation, inflammation, brain connectivity, learning, memory, and daily cognitive function.

• Compare acute and chronic occupational stress and review their long-term neurological and physiological effects in high-stress professions.
• Evaluate current wellness and mindfulness interventions, including limitations in the evidence for restoring healthy HPA-axis regulation.
• Contribute to a review paper in preparation on HPA-axis dysregulation and learning-based interventions, including priorities for future research.

UCSC Science Internship Program

Worked on CPM-07, AI-Facilitated Group Formation and Project Ideation for Hackathons, studying how generative AI can support team formation and project ideation.

• Built and tested a chatbot for Blossom, a platform that creates human-bingo activities for events.
• Designed AI-generated icebreakers and bonding activities from participant survey responses.
• Reviewed research on group ideation, prompt design, and technology-supported collaboration.

Clinical Observation

Spent one year shadowing Bao Dao, MD, a hematologist-oncologist at Epic Care. Observed consultations, imaging and lab review, treatment planning, chemotherapy and radiation care, and conversations with patients and families.

Hospital Volunteer

Contributed more than 200 hours at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, supporting Telemetry Unit staff with clinical tasks and patient needs and assisting patients, visitors, and staff.