Entered Program: 2021
Thesis Advisor: Tamara Alliston, PhD
Andrés was born and raised in Puerto Rico, surrounded by nature that prompted him to ask questions about its living organisms. These experiences motivated him to attend the University of Puerto Rico at Cayey and major in Biology. As an undergraduate student, he quickly found himself oriented towards molecular biology and biomedical sciences. He then participated in summer research internships doing endocrinology research. After graduating from UPR Cayey, he obtained a Master's in Biomedical Sciences at UCSD, where he studied cell signaling in adrenocortical cells. Interested in seeing a different way of doing and addressing science, he decided to join the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. He worked on cell culture process development, which triggered his interest in stem cells, and running molecular and biochemistry tests for drug product quality control. His goal is to build upon these experiences to do research in bone biology and related fields. He currently works on studying the metabolism and cell signaling of bone cells. Besides contributing to the research base leading to understanding and treating skeletal diseases, he wants to pursue a career in academic research and engage in the training of future scientists. In his free time, he likes to cultivate his public speaking skills by attending Toastmasters clubs, engaging in community service focused on science education, and reading non-fiction in English and fiction in Spanish, among other hobbies.
