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Carmen M

- Research Program Mentor

PhD at University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill (UNC Chapel Hill)

Expertise

Child health, neuroscience, science writing

Bio

I am a translational neuroscientist by training. My research examines the developmental origins of child neuronal developmental delay and disorders. I have experience in neuroscience, genetics, neurotoxicology, environmental public health, and epidemiology. My most recent research focuses on human health over the course of child development, more specifically cognition and MRI-derived brain substructure into adolescence. Because I am well versed in many scientific disciplines as it relates to human health I am currently transitioning from academia to the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. This will allow me to utilize my background to contribute to better therapeutics and diagnostics needed. In my spare time, I enjoy hiking, trying new recipes, and music. I began mentoring in high school and I honestly could never see my life without mentorship. Mentorship is passion-work for me.

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.

Early Identification and Cognitive Awareness for Parents

We could work on an app blueprint that helps parents track their child's cognitive awareness as it relates to developmental milestones

Considering the impact of science outreach among middle school and elementary aged children

We could work towards developing an Op-ed piece on varied DIY kits that aim to teach middle and elementary aged students the fundamentals of neuroscience

Beyond the lab bench: Identifying the junior scientist in you

We could develop a booklet of DIY projects/experiments that aim to teach middle and elementary aged students the fundamentals of neuroscience

Exploring the current state of Neurodevelopmental Disorders

In this project, you would learn about how neurodevelopmental disorders are defined, diagnosed, treated, along with behavioral theurapeutic interventions that are used to add to the current advancement in these fields. You will also learn how to critically analyze scientific papers. This would culminate in a review of the topic that could be submitted for publication to a scientific journal like the International Journal of High School Research.

Coding skills

R, SAS

Languages I know

Intermediate Spanish

Teaching experience

I wrote curricula for the Boys and Girls Club of America for middle grades (1 year), served as a elementary school math and reading intervention specialist (2 years), I founded an all girls mentor group in 2009 for middle and high school girls (10+ years), I served as a Health Sciences High School mentor (2 years), and I am currently a Bridge to Doctorate mentor for college and masters students interested in pursuing a PhD in Biomedical Sciences. My research experience spans genetics, toxicology, neuroscience, epigenetics, environmental health, public health and molecular biology.

Credentials

Education

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
BS Bachelor of Science (2015)
Biology
Emory University
MPH Master of Public Health (2017)
Environmental Epidemiology
University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill (UNC Chapel Hill)
PhD Doctor of Philosophy
Neuroscience

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