Jessica S
- Research Program Mentor

PhD at University of California Irvine (UCI)

Expertise

Alzheimer's Disease, Dementia, cognitive and behavioral therapy

Bio

Hi I’m Jessica! I am a PhD graduate from the Neurobiology & Behavior Department at the University of California Irvine where I studied the influence of killer T cells in Alzheimer's Disease pathogenesis by conducting in vivo and in vitro experiments in different transgenic mouse models. My other passion is participating in STEM career outreach and neuroscience education, which allows me to be the mentor and role model I wish I had as a young motivated student. I am currently working as a scientist in a biopharmaceutical company in San Diego focusing on cancer immunotherapies. Besides research, mentoring, and education I enjoy playing video games, being active outdoors, and traveling :)

Project ideas

Project ideas are meant to help inspire student thinking about their own project. Students are in the driver seat of their research and are free to use any or none of the ideas shared by their mentors.

Alternative therapies for Alzheimer's Disease

Improving cognitive deficits of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients with different cognitive stimulating activities such as playing video games, board games, playing music, etc. I can help students work with senior homes to develop a study to test how we can use novel therapies to help reduce AD.

Reducing risk of Alzheimer's Disease

Reducing detrimental issues or prevention of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) with life style changes such as exercise, diet, and sleep improvement. I can help students work with senior homes to develop a study to test how we can reduce AD.

Alzheimer's Disease Review Paper

We can work on review papers on preventing, reducing, and/or studying Alzheimer's Disease (AD). This review paper can propose a study involving AD or it can be an educational review where the student compares/contrasts publishing papers. I am open to any ideas revolving AD for a review paper project.

Languages I know

Spanish

Teaching experience

I was a Girls Inc. of Orange County STEM Programs Volunteer where I conducted Neuroscience research workshops for K-12 and mentored high school STEM students. As a UCI Minority Science Programs (MSP) Graduate Fellow I mentored STEM undergraduates, incoming graduates, & transfer students. As a UCI Center for the Neurobiology of Learning & Memory (CNLM) Ambassador I advanced public understanding of brain science through outreach and educational activities. I was an instructor for the UCI CNLM Brain Explorer Academy & Brain Camp where I taught neuroscience workshops for 2nd-8th graders on weekends and summer. Lastly, I was a STEM volunteer for Irvine Unified School District where I presented during their Career Fair and I mentored students with their science fair projects.

Credentials

Work experience

Fate Therapeutics Inc. (2022 - 2023)

Scientist

Trutino Biosciences (2023 - Current)

Cancer Immunologist

Education

California State University, Fullerton (CSU Fullerton)

BA Bachelor of Arts (2016)

Psychology, Biology, and Chemistry

University of California Irvine (UCI)

MS Master of Science

Neuroimmunology