David Diaz

Experience

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  UCLA

  Jun 2018 - Jun 2019

  NIEHS Student Researcher

  Student researcher funded by the National Institutes of Environmental Health who carries out experiments, conducts data analysis, presents findings at meetings/conferences and oversees lab safety training for new lab assistants. Under the advisement of Dr. Suzanne Paulson and Dr. David Gonzalez, I assist in investigating the underlying mechanisms of fine particulate (PM.2.5) toxicity emitted during biomass burning events. In the lab, we investigate how Iron(II) interacts with Fulvic Acid, a humic-like substance surrogate, in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid to produce reactive oxygen species, more specifically hydroxyl radicals. We also examine the role of organic ligands Albumin and Transferrin in the mediation of reactive oxygen species formation. I use a fluorometer to measure hydroxyl radical formation and interpret the data through excel. Show less

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  California State University, Northridge

  Jun 2019 - May 2021

  NIH BUILD PODER Researcher

  Under the advisement of Dr. Edward Jackiewicz, I pursue my passion of researching air pollution by leading a research project that quantifies fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations in Pacoima, California. The purpose of this research is to understand how the various stationary sources of pollution affect the air quality within an environmentally impacted community. Ambient air quality has not been sufficiently measured in this area and this research aims to paint a clear picture, for the first time, on the daily PM2.5 exposure residents of Pacoima face. To assess PM 2.5 concentrations, this project utilizes stationary ambient air quality monitors to track PM2.5 from various proximities, upwind and downwind, to stationary sources of pollution. With the partnership of Pacoima Beautiful, a grassroots environmental justice organization, I conduct research alongside local high school students and involve them at every step of the research process. Show less

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  Brown University

  Jun 2020 - Aug 2020

  Undergraduate Research Assistant

  Under the Advisement of Dr. Scott Frickel, I am part of an ongoing research project that investigates networks of experts and networks of expertise in Argentina’s conflicts over pesticide use in agricultural production. The research focuses on Argentina as a context for knowledge generation about glyphosate’s effects on human health. I code legal reports and scientific papers (in English and Spanish) about pesticide effects and the legal claims filed by impacted communities in rural Argentina, where mobilizations against pesticide spraying are challenging industrial genetically modified agriculture. Show less

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  The Center for Geospatial Science and Technology

  Sept 2020 - Jul 2021

  Geographic Information Systems Analyst

  As a GIS analyst, I produced edits on the National Hydrology Database to accurately reflect current flowlines. To help maintain our team's progress I assisted in producing and managing databases for assessing hydrography and historic reference data. I utilized adobe creative cloud to correct geographic imagery and produce easy to read maps. My final project focused on georeferencing historic aerial photographs in Los Angeles to indigenous land boundaries.

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  Pacoima Beautiful

  Jul 2021 - now

  Youth Organizer

  As a youth organizer I create and manage programs that build young people in our community by promoting leadership development and educate them on the environmental injustices in our community. We engage our young people in local campaigns, connect them to resources and provide 1 on 1 mentorship . Students have engaged in collecting data on our community, door knocked to spread awareness on environmental hazards and participated in camping trips to reconnect with nature.