Curriculum Vitae

Academic record and professional history

A PDF version of my full CV is available here. The summary below is current as of 2026.

Education

Doctor of Medicine — withdrawn 2026

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX

2022–2026 · Presidential Scholarship (full-ride, merit-based) · Completed preclinical curriculum and clinical clerkships before withdrawing to pursue a research-first career and relocate to San Diego

PhD, Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Harvard University · Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Cambridge, MA

2010–2016 · Dissertation: Harvard Medical School / Joslin Diabetes Center, Kulkarni lab

BS, Biology, Summa Cum Laude

University of Texas at Brownsville / Texas Southmost College, Brownsville, TX

2007–2010 · University Scorpion Scholar Scholarship (full-ride, merit-based)

Research positions

Independent Research Program — Quantitative Framework for the Early Detection, Risk Stratification, and Staging of Type 2 Diabetes

Self-directed, San Diego, CA

2026–present · Five-manuscript series, three U.S. provisional patents, NHANES validation

Medical Researcher — Philipp E. Scherer, PhD

UT Southwestern Medical Center, Touchstone Diabetes Center, Dallas, TX

2022–2026 · Adipose–islet crosstalk in metabolic disease

Postdoctoral Fellow — Ralph A. DeFronzo, MD

UT Health San Antonio, Texas Diabetes Institute, San Antonio, TX

2019–2022 · β-cell dysfunction in T2D; persistent inflammatory lipotoxicity

Doctoral Researcher — Rohit N. Kulkarni, MD, PhD

Harvard Medical School, Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, MA

2010–2016 · Inflammatory signaling, β-cell identity, ductal-to-endocrine reprogramming

Summer Research Intern — Randi B. Silver, PhD

Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY

Summer 2009 · Mast cell – cardiac fibroblast interactions in collagen deposition

Undergraduate Researcher — Luis V. Colom, MD, PhD

University of Texas at Brownsville, Brownsville, TX

2008–2010 · Amyloid-β neurotoxicity in a rat model of Alzheimer's disease

Industry experience

Senior Analyst — Healthcare & Medical Device Strategy Consulting

Fletcher Spaght Inc., Boston, MA

2016–2019 · C-suite advisory at biotech, medtech, and diagnostics companies; bilingual (EN/ES) Latin American KOL engagements

Awards & honors

Research fellowships

American Diabetes Association Postdoctoral Fellowship (PI), 2019–2021
NIH F31 Predoctoral Fellowship (PI), F31 DK098931, 2013–2015
NIH-Joslin Training Grant T32 DK007260, 2013
Harvard Stem Cell Institute Sternlicht Director's Fund Award, 2011–2012 (one of two awardees)

Scholarships

Presidential Scholarship, UT Southwestern Medical Center (full-ride, merit-based)
University Scorpion Scholar Scholarship, UT Brownsville (full-ride, merit-based)

Professional recognition

Brownsville Independent School District Hall of Fame, Lopez High School, 2016
Lopez High School Alumnus of the Year, 2016
Harvard Business School Online CORe — Pass with Honors, 2016
Fletcher Spaght Inc. Slide of the Month (twice), 2016–2019
Southwest Airlines Lánzate Education Travel Award, 2013
ABRCMS Travel Award, 2010

Pre-college honors

Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) — Texas State Champion & 2nd Place National, 2007
Texas All-State Musician (Choir), 2007
All-Region Jazz Band Lead Trumpet Player, 2007

Intellectual property

U.S. Provisional Patent (Serial No. 64/006,516): Islet Coordination Score — Methods for Quantifying Pancreatic Islet Network Coordination. Filed March 16, 2026.
U.S. Provisional Patent (Integrated Continuation): ICS Expanded Embodiments Including Bihormonal Glucagon Framework. Filed March 21, 2026.
U.S. Provisional Patent (Third Filing): Five-Axis ICS, Dedifferentiation Mechanism, and NHANES III Validation.

Teaching, leadership & community service

College Admissions Interviewer, Harvard College (2021–present)
Premed Advisor, independent (2022–present)
Science Mentor, HPREP — Health Professions Recruitment & Exposure Program (2014, 2023)
Research Mentor, UT Health San Antonio (2019–2021) — undergraduate, PhD, and MD/PhD trainees
Science Communication, "Next Generation" radio (UT RGV community), 2018–2019
Co-director of Communications, Harvard Biotechnology Club (2015–2016)
Admissions Committee, Harvard Stem Cell Institute Summer Research Program (2012)
Steering Committee, Minority Biomedical Students of Harvard, 2010–2015

For peer-reviewed publications, see Publications. Conference presentations and grant details are in the full PDF.