Daniela Medina, COL ’26, Laredo, TX
In the Summer of 2023, I researched on the molecular mechanisms of drug-induced liver disease with the NIH and NIDDK. I was allowed to pick my coordinating center and lab funded by the NIH, and I chose to work at the DeMorrow Lab, located at the University of Austin at Texas. I worked between the college of pharmacology and medical school of UT Austin.
During the 12 week program, I worked 40 hours a week under the guidance of my mentor Sharon DeMorrow Ph.D., FAASLD. I was in charge of creating glass slides of our liver samples, staining them with their appropriate solution and/or medication, analyzing the slides microscopically, then quantifying the images I obtained from the slides. Our main mission was to analyse the damage done to the liver when exposed to certain toxins and medications used in the Gulf War.
After the program, I was flown out to the NIH headquarters to present my work and teach others about liver disease. I broaden my network and strengthened my relationship with the National Institute of Health.
This is part of a series of posts by recipients of the 2023 Career Services Summer Funding Grant. We’ve asked funding recipients to reflect on their summer experiences and talk about the industries in which they spent their summer. You can read the entire series here
