Stephanie Cameron-Maldonado
She/Her/Hers
Undergraduate
University of Puerto Rico at Cayey
Puerto Rico LSAMP
NALA Profile
Personal Interest
I’m a double-degree senior undergraduate student at the University of Puerto Rico at Cayey. Currently majoring in Biology and Psychology. My interests are in the fields of neuroscience, biochemistry, biomedical sciences, public health, and pediatrics. I aspire to continue further studies in the area of public health specializing in epidemiology and in medicine. I'm passionate about engaging in community problem issues regarding underrepresented minorities. It's important to understand that there are social determinants that impact the access to healthcare services in our communities which results in disparities in the system. At the moment working in Dr. Ruth Pietri’s lab on the reactivity of sulfide products with amino acid residues in proteins involved in neurological diseases.
Mentoring Interest
Alumni Recruitment, Attend Conferences, Mentor Students
Areas of Expertise
Networking, Leadership Skills, 1:1 Mentoring
Past Research
In this research project, we studied the changes in the secondary structure of an antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the presence and absence of sulfide species. Specifically, we used hydrogen sulfide (H2S) which is an important biological signaling molecule, and its product polysulfide (H2Sx). H2S may modulate the activity of antioxidant enzymes involved in the reduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Therefore, we used Fourier-Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to determine the sulfide species in protein sulfhydration by detecting the vibrational modes of peptide bonds specifically in the amide I band.
Past Clubs/Organizations
Student Organizations/Programs: American Medical Student Association, Research Initiative for Student Enhancement Program, Puerto Rico Louis Stokes Alliance For Minority Participation Program, Med-Life, American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, NeuroBoricuas UPR Cayey, PSY-CHI CUC, Student Mentor Program, Resilience Coach Mentor for Freshman and Sophomore Students