Abby Cruz

She/Her/Hers

Graduate Assistant to the UMBC LSAMP Program, Master's Student in Biological Sciences

University of Maryland, Baltimore County

University System of Maryland LSAMP

NALA Profile

Personal Interest

My passions include research in neuroscience, degeneration, dementia, mental health, wellness holistic medicines such as cannabinoids and cannabis. My interests include weight lifting, hiking, yoga, cooking. I want undergraduates especially underrepresented minorities in the STEM field to believe in themselves! Be proud of all of the hard work that you are doing and know that it will pay off. No matter what you want to do beyond your undergraduate years, YOU CAN DO IT and you, your ideas, your work are NEEDED in industry, graduate school, professional school, and beyond! I love meeting with students to provide feedback on their applications to gradschool, providing resources to support their mental and physical health, assisting in finding research, and funding opportunities. I assist with providing space to students to allow them to come together in the virtual setting to give and receive support from one another.

Mentoring Interest

Alumni Recruitment, Attend Conferences, Host Workshops

Areas of Expertise

Grad School Process, Med School Process, Interviewing, Networking, Public Speaking, Leadership Skills, Research Abstracts, Research Posters, Research Presentation, Resume/CV

Past Research

Using Drosophila to validate candidate genes involved in human motoneuron degeneration

Past Clubs/Organizations

Hispanic Latino Student Union Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science