Work Experience

In 2011 I was accepted into the Freshman Research Initiative, a program that offers first year students the opportunity to initiate and engage in authentic research experiences in chemistry, biochemistry, nanotechnology, and other science-related fields while being supported and mentored by faculty and graduate students.

I joined the research stream BioBricks, which works on synthesizing genes from short DNA fragments, piecing them together like "Legos" with molecular cloning tools, and building protein expression "machines" that function in bacteria. Some skills required to acquire basic molecular cloning and protein expression include restriction enzyme digestion, agarose gel electrophoresis, DNA gel extraction, and plasmid purification.

For more information, visit http://biobricks.org/
or http://fri.cns.utexas.edu/biobrick

I shadowed Dr. Craig Chang at the DeTar Citizens Medical Center in Victoria, Texas. Dr. Chang is a bariatric surgeon who specializes in laparosopic surgeries including gastric bypass, LAP-BAND, gastric sleeve and general surgery procedures. He is a member of the Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence with the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, a designation verifying that Dr. Chang's program has excellent results in bariatric surgery and bestows great distinction within the field. 

Shadowing Dr. Chang, I had the opportunity to observe life-changing procedures from diagnostic pre-opt to surgical operation to post-opt follow-up. I displayed my knowledge in the nutritional sciences during the Jump Start Sessions where prospective patients asked questions on fat metabolism and caloric intake. 


I interned as an Administrative Assistant for Hartz Franchise Restaurants Ltd., a family owned franchise of Hartz Chicken Buffet restaurants. My position required a skill set in data analysis, marketing design and basic organization. Weekly projects included charting annual sales patterns, designing product brochures and pamphlets, and preparing menu booklets. I also handled customer complaints which provided experience in customer service and communication skills.