Esmarline De León-Peralta

Experience

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  University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras

  Jul 2011 - Aug 2011

  Research Intern

  Internship in Nanotechnology Research in Computational ChemistryFaculty Advisor: Zhongfang Chen, Ph.D.•Analyzed anion bonds and determine the optimization, vibration, frequency, and energy of molecules.•Optimized and calculated a structure having anion-π (pi) interactions. •Compared Analytical Methods, such as: Gauss View, Gaussian 09, and HyperChem.

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  University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez

  Oct 2012 - May 2013

  Undergraduate Research Assistant

  Faculty Advisor: Rafael Martínez-Planell, Ph.D Project Title: Understanding quadratic equations, an approach to the APOS theory•Studied and analyzed how students apply different skills learned during their Pre-Calculus course.

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  The Ohio State University

  May 2013 - Aug 2013

  Research Intern

  Department of Mechanical & Aerospace EngineeringNanoengineering and Biodesign Lab (NBL) Faculty Advisor: Carlos E. Castro, Ph.D Project: Intelligent Detection of miRNA by Competitive Strand Displacement•Designed a DNA origami structure capable of detecting pair wise combinations of miRNA.•Performed initial proof-of-principle experiments were performed using DNA targets.•Developed an initial design to detect miRNAs dysregulated in breast cancer.

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  University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez

  Aug 2013 - Mar 2016

  Center for Biomedical Engineering and Nanomedicine (CBEN)Department of Chemical EngineeringNIH RISE 2Best Research Fellowship (2014-2016)NSF CREST Research Fellowship (2012-2014)Faculty Advisor: Madeline Torres-Lugo, Ph.DFaculty Advisor: Carlos Rinaldi-Ramos, Ph.DProject: Switchable Magneto Alginate Hollow Capsule for Controlled Drug Release•Developed a magneto alginate hollow capsule to improve the release of drugs in cancer cells.Project Title: Modification of the Co-Precipitation Method to Synthesize Iron Oxide Nanoparticles with Higher Specific Absorption Rates •Optimized the conventional co-precipitation synthesis protocol to enhance nanoparticles' physical properties with the end of increasing their potential for cancer research applications.•Designed and implemented the experimental methods.Project: Synthesis of Iron Oxide-Carboxymethyl-Dextran Nanoparticles with two types of synthesis•Evaluated the effect of magnetite nanoparticles composition on the nanoparticles’ colloidal stability in two types of synthesis Show less

  • Research Assistant

    Jan 2012 - Mar 2016

  • Research Assistant

    Aug 2013 - Dec 2013
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  Georgia Institute of Technology

  May 2014 - Aug 2014

  Research Intern

  Emergent Behaviors of Integrated Cellular Systems (EBICS) REU program The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering- Tissue Engineering labFaculty Advisor: Manu Platt, Ph.DResearch Mentor: Meghan Ferrall, Ph.D.Project: Designing Mutant Cathepsins to Protect Against Cathepsin Cannibalism•Created mutant cathepsin proteins that are still catalytically active towards collagen and elastin substrates, but cannot be cleaved by other cathepsins.•Designed mutagenic primers by performing site-directed mutagenesis using overlap extension polymerase chain reaction (PCR).•Transformed bacterias to ligate the mutated gene. Show less

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  Harvard University

  Jun 2015 - Aug 2015

  Research Intern

  Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) REU programWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering Department of Bioengineering- Laboratory for Cell and Tissue EngineeringFaculty Advisor: David Mooney, Ph.D Research Mentors: Yevgeny, Brudno, Ph.D; Brian KweeProject: Improving Wound Healing through the Use of Tetrazine-Modified Alginate •Understanding why the tetrazine-modified alginate heals hind limb ischemia over the normal alginate. Show less

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  Massachusetts Institute of Technology

  Jan 2016 - Jan 2016

  Quantitative Biology Method Workshop

  Coordinator: Mandana Sassanfar, Ph.D.•Learned and applied quantitative bioinformatics tools to analyze biology data using programming languages including MATLAB, PyMOL, StarGenetics, Python, and R. •Selected topics covered: computer science, mathematics, statistics, neuroscience, genomics, genetics, gene expression and development, cognitive science, population biology, biochemical equilibrium and kinetics, molecular modeling of enzymes.•Introduction of experimental approaches and tools such as fMRI, MEG, and calcium imaging used to generate experimental data. Show less

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  Harvard University

  Jun 2016 - Aug 2016

  Research Intern

  Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) REU programDepartment of Chemistry and Chemical BiologyFaculty Advisor: George Whitesides, Ph.DResearch Mentor: Chien-Chung Wang, Ph.DProject: A paper-based immunoassay for detection of Brucella on a portableelectrochemical platform•Developed, optimized and fabricated a portable and sensitive paper-based microfluidic device to perform electrochemical immunoassay for the detection of Brucella in cattle.•Developed immunoassay experimental design using biochemical and electrochemical governing principles for the application. Show less

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  Massachusetts General Hospital

  Jun 2017 - Aug 2017

  Research Investigator

  Project: 3D Printing of Elastomeric Strain Reliefs for the Optimization of Clinical Tethered Capsule Endomicroscopy Device•Developed and optimized a flexible and biocompatible silicone rubber strain relief for the gastrointestinal tract imaging using a tethered capsule endomicroscopy device.•Debugged and studied 3D printer's Gcode and printer's main parameters for printing of elastomeric materials, and for the specific clinical applications of the project. •3D printed the design and developed a prototype and experimental design accordingto the capsule’s need and specifications.•The outcome of this project benefits the entire laboratory with the integration for the first time of this new, costumed and innovative elastomeric strain relief device to the different capsules applications developed in the laboratory. Show less

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  NASA Ames Research Center

  Feb 2018 - May 2018

  Research Intern

  Entry Systems & Vehicle Development BranchPrincipal Investigator and advisor: Jing Li, Ph.D.Project: Development of ultra-light weight batteries using 3D printing and nanotechnology•Developed and optimized ultra-light and small batteries.•Established assembly procedure with optimizations. •This cutting-edge technology will enable new power and tools for space exploration and building human habitats in space.

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  NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

  May 2018 - Aug 2018

  Research Intern

  NASA Marshall Space Flight CenterIn-Space Manufacturing Project | Additive ManufacturingMaterials and Processes Lab DivisionProject: Support of 3D multi materials and process development for In-Space Manufacturing•Developed materials and process parameters for nScrypt 3D multi-material printer.•Developed metallic, conductor, dielectric, and composite materials for 3Dprinting.•Aided in the fabrication and processing of conductive inks to print small circuits.•This groundbreaking research will be applied in Fabrication Lab (Fab Lab) in the International Space Station (ISS) once finalize. Show less

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  University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez

  Aug 2018 - May 2019

  Research Assistant

  Principal Investigators and Advisors: Oscar J. Perales-Pérez, Ph.D. - UPRMDavid Loftus, MD-Ph.D. - NASA The NANOmaterials Processing Laboratory, The BioNANo Systems Laboratory at Engineering Science and Materials Department•Granted $40K from NASA Tech Tank at NASA MSFC for development of a cancer-space project as a partnership between UPRM, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center and NASA Ames Research Center.

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  Puerto Rico Science, Technology & Research Trust

  Oct 2019 - Aug 2022

  Technology Transfer Intern

  •Identified, evaluated, helped market and transfer research technologies. •Identified and evaluated new research discoveries and developed a deep understanding of research projects on a scientific and legal aspect.•Evaluated and validated invention disclosures completion and provided amendments recommendations for approval to managers. •Evaluated invention disclosures using TTO’s analytics platforms and other resources.•Delivered TTO Screening Reports. •Actively contributed with the team on patent mapping, scientific/technical reviews, marketing of the technology and specific business-intellectual property information. •Developed an understanding of the TTO intellectual property portfolio including knowledge of existing patents, patent applications in process, new patent applications, agreements, Bayh-Dole and other compliance requirements, financial aspects, and all other related matters.•Participated in TTO organized workshops on technology transfer including disclosing inventions, evaluation, intellectual property, marketing, licensing, and special topics.•Participated in training provided by the TTO in order to utilize proprietary data analytics platforms, standard search tools, TTO’s marketing platform, and TTO’s management platform. •Attended webinars and participated in workshops as required. Show less

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  Massachusetts General Hospital

  Feb 2020 - Aug 2024

  Manufacturing Engineer

  Focus Area: Biomedical Optics/ Global Health / Enteric DiseasesGrant: Melinda and Bill Gates Foundation •Manufacturing minimally invasive OCT imaging catheter devices for infantile and adults experiencing Environmental Enteric Dysfunction (EED) in low-middle income countries.•Assembling components/sub-components and testing imaging catheters. •Conducting optimization and root cause analysis of the catheter fabrication process, implementing Lean Six Sigma and GMP tools to streamline device fabrication.•Performing in-process quality assurance/validation per GMP guidelines.•Implementing and overseeing quality documentation, enhancing SOPs, and addressing supply chain demands.•Facilitating the training of technicians and engineers in manufacturing operations, procedures, testing, and documentation. Show less

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  Alcresta Therapeutics

  Jul 2024 - now

  Technical Operations Engineer