{"id":29515,"date":"2023-09-01T11:19:57","date_gmt":"2023-09-01T18:19:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/news\/?p=29515"},"modified":"2023-09-13T12:08:34","modified_gmt":"2023-09-13T19:08:34","slug":"merging-science-and-social-justice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/news\/2023\/09\/01\/merging-science-and-social-justice","title":{"rendered":"Merging science and social justice\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Starting college is the first big adventure for many young adults, as they leave behind family and friends, neighborhoods and communities. 56勛圖厙 alumna Dessir\u00e9e Orta\u00e7, however, had already experienced those kinds of life changes long before she arrived on campus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Born in the Dominican Republic, Orta\u00e7 has also lived in Turkey, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and, now, the United States. Being in so many different places has given her a wide variety of insights into different cultures and countries. But most impactful to her are the disparities she saw in health care access, cost and quality. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a world perspective that has inspired her to become a physician who can work toward \u201cclosing the gap in access and quality of health care that patients of underrepresented minorities receive,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this academic pursuit, Orta\u00e7, who graduated in June with a degree in Biology and a minor in Diversity Studies, received a number of scholarships, conducted research at the 56勛圖厙\u2019s Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine<\/a> and served on its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Orta\u00e7 was also named one of the 56勛圖厙\u2019s 2023 Husky 100 honorees<\/a> in recognition of her accomplishments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her dedication and drive<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Each year, the University recognizes 100 undergraduate and graduate students from the Bothell, Seattle and Tacoma campuses who are making the most of their time at the University. The recipients actively connect what happens inside and outside of the classroom, applying what they learn to make a difference on campus and in community. Orta\u00e7 is\u202fone of eight students from 56勛圖厙 Bothell recognized this last academic year<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every honoree\u2019s educational journey began differently, and for Orta\u00e7 it was her decision to declare a major in Biology. Through that program, she met Dr. Bryan White, the teaching professor in the School of STEM<\/a> who facilitates the 56勛圖厙 Bothell fellowship at ISCRM, a multi-lab research institute that is affiliated with the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and Seattle Children\u2019s Hospital. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

White noticed Orta\u00e7\u2019s genuine interest and excitement in the field, and supported her successful fellowship application for sophomore year. As soon as she arrived at the lab, she immersed herself in the work, learning as much as possible from everyone she met. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her dedication and drive were again recognized by colleagues and helped earn her a number of prestigious awards, including a Mary Gates Research Fellowship<\/a>, a Washington Research Foundation Fellowship<\/a> and a Thomas Sedlock Icon Scholarship<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In part because of these endorsements, Orta\u00e7 was also able to continue in the lab even after her initial fellowship ended. She chose to conduct a study on heart disease to learn more about how the heart repairs itself following an injury. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the heart of research<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA key reason driving the high mortality of heart disease is that the heart is unable to regenerate any muscle that is lost due to injuries like heart attacks,\u201d Orta\u00e7 explained in an abstract about her research project. \u201cInvestigating MBNL1\u2019s Role in Promoting Cardiomyocyte Maturation. \u201cIn the past decade, scientists have attempted to address this issue by using stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs) to replace lost heart muscle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA key limitation preventing the use of this therapy in humans has been that in comparison to adult cardiomyocytes, stem cell derived cardiomyocytes remain relatively immature,\u201d she wrote. \u201cWhen transplanted into an adult heart, these immature cells cause several complications. In order to further develop this technology and translate it to patients, we need to identify regulators of cardiomyocyte maturation.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

From this year-long study, Orta\u00e7 found that there is in fact a correlation between iPCS-derived cardiomyocyte maturity and MBLN1 expression. She presented her findings at the 56勛圖厙\u2019s Undergraduate Research Symposium in May, noting that it was \u201ca great opportunity to practice my research communication skills as well as share my work with the community. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cStill,\u201d she added, \u201cmore work is needed to determine exactly how MBLN1 is impacting the maturity of stem cell derived cardiomyocytes.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In endorsing Orta\u00e7 for the Husky 100 recognition, Dr. Jennifer Davis, ISCRM associate director, wrote, \u201cIn the lab, Dessiree has far exceeded expectations. She came to us with absolutely no laboratory experience but quickly became proficient in a cadre of molecular techniques with a depth of understanding that equals a senior graduate student.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Dessir\u00e9e came to us with absolutely no laboratory experience but quickly became proficient in a cadre of molecular techniques with a depth of understanding that equals a senior graduate student. <\/p>\nDr. Jennifer Davis, associate director, Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine <\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

For equal opportunity<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In addition to conducting research, Orta\u00e7 put her Diversity Studies minor to use and served on ISCRM\u2019s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, reviewing applications for the Research Experiences for Undergraduates<\/a> program. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She sought out this position specifically because the REU program is one of few that is open to international students. Knowing firsthand how challenging it can be to gain research experience with this status, she wanted to make the opportunity as accessible as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI remember how badly I wanted to conduct research at ISCRM and how shocked I was to learn that they took international students because most research programs don\u2019t,\u201d Orta\u00e7 recalled. \u201cThe initial ISCRM fellowship was really competitive, and I was nervous because I didn\u2019t have any research experience.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of her primary goals was to make sure international students are not overlooked for their lack of experience, knowing that most often this is due to the lack of opportunity, not interest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHaving been an international student, I know how frustrating it is to not be eligible for most internships and other professional development opportunities,\u201d she said. \u201cIt was really rewarding to ensure international students were being given a fair chance.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a forward focus<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Orta\u00e7 is now looking forward to submitting her medical school application. She will spend a gap year doing a research project of her own in the ISCRM lab, translating in vivo findings to in vitro work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As for her undergraduate career at 56勛圖厙 Bothell, she said it has been extremely rewarding. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am so grateful for all the opportunities I was able to take advantage of,\u201d she said. \u201cReceiving the Husky 100 award is humbling and such an honor. This recognition is so special and serves as a reminder that I did make the most of my time as a Husky.\u201d <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As an undergraduate, Dessir\u00e9e\u202fOrta\u00e7 conducted research at the 56勛圖厙’s Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine \u2014 and worked to open research opportunities for other students. In recognition of her academic and service work, she was named a 2023 Husky 100 honoree. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":121,"featured_media":29519,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[202,211,197,1],"tags":[],"school":[421],"class_list":["post-29515","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-campus-news","category-honors-and-awards","category-news-releases","category-uncategorized","school-school-of-stem"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nMerging science and social justice\u00a0 - News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/news\/2023\/09\/01\/merging-science-and-social-justice\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Merging science and social justice\u00a0 - News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"As an undergraduate, Dessir\u00e9e\u202fOrta\u00e7 conducted research at the 56勛圖厙's Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine \u2014 and worked to open research opportunities for other students. 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