Maria Clague

Experience

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  NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

  May 2019 - Jul 2019

  NASA Stem Enhancement in Earth Science Intern

  • Selected as one of six team members on the Mars Exploration project out of a pool of 600ᐩ applicants• Completed a two-month online course in space exploration to prepare for the completion of an on-site project at The University of Texas at Austin during the summer• Designed and engineered a habitable Mars surface installation using CAD software including power, habitation, water, food, and health maintenance for a group of six astronauts

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  NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

  Sept 2019 - Jul 2020

  NASA Aerospace Scholar

  • Successfully completed a four-month long online curriculum in space exploration, Earth science, and aeronautics • Selected to attend a five-day virtual experience plus a two-day onsite to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas during the summer.• Worked closely with seven other group members to design a functional habitat for a team of four astronauts on the surface of the moon during a week-long virtual experience

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  The University of Texas at El Paso

  May 2022 - Aug 2022

  Research Staff | Neuroscience and Behavioral Genetics

  • Under the supervision of Dr. Kyung-An Han specializing in identifying genetic and non-genetic risk factors for neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases• Worked on characterizing the role of the novel gene kekkon5 in dopaminergic and cholinergic neurons for inhibitory control using the Drosophila melanogaster model• Performed behavioral assays, brain dissections, and immunohistochemical analyses using ImageJ and Minitab• Gathered data and presented to an audience of 200+ researchers and scientists at the end-of-summer symposium Show less

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  Mayo Clinic

  May 2023 - Aug 2023

  Research Fellow | Department of Biomedical Engineering and Physiology

  • Under the mentorship of Dr. Carlos B. Mantilla in the department of Biomedical Engineering and Physiology working on developing effective therapies for the treatment of diseases that impair the ability to breathe independently.• Compared a 3D volumetric model with a 2D area model to optimize imaging protocols specific to laboratory applications, resulting in enhanced accuracy and reliability of analysis.• Wrote an experimental design and independently carried out a project over 10 weeks. Show less

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  Columbia Engineering

  Sept 2023 - now

  Undergraduate Research Assistant

  • Working under Dr. McFaline-Figueroa in The Chemical Genetics Laboratory• Defining the molecular changes that cells and tissues undergo in response to different therapies and how that landscape depends on genetic background• Developing and testing single-cell biosensors to detect high levels of oxidative stress

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  Pfizer

  May 2024 - Aug 2024

  Automation Intern

  • Leading the integration of Filter Integrity Testing (FIT) into the MES/SCADA system for automation• Testing the proper functionality of the FIT units within the MES/SCADA system, ensuring tests can be executed and data can be retrieved from the system• Developing GMP compliance strategies within the MES/SCADA system to ensure quality control and regulatory adherence for automated processes