Daniela Medina

Hi! I'm Dani, a third-year undergrad at CAS, currently transitioning from HSOC + Chemistry to PPE. I come from Laredo, Texas, a small town where I had little exposure to research before college. Although I knew I wanted to dive into research, I had no idea where to begin. Fortunately, I secured a position with the NIH and NIDDK as an undergraduate biomedical researcher, and I’ve been part of their team since my freshman summer. This experience has allowed me to work in various NIH and NIDDK-funded labs and present my research at NIH headquarters. 

During my first summer, I worked in the DeMorrow Lab at the University of Texas, focusing on the molecular mechanisms of drug-induced liver disease, particularly related to Gulf War Illness. After that, I joined the Susztak Lab at the University of Pennsylvania, where I’ve spent the past year researching chronic kidney disease, with a focus on nucleic acid sensors in kidney epithelial cells. Now, I'm shifting my focus to research in political science and social sciences. I’m eager to connect with fellow undergrads who are considering any major and share how research has guided my journey at Penn. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand your research experience, especially in biomedical fields, I'm here to help you begin your journey and grow, including presenting at symposiums nationwide.

• National Institutes of Health STEP-UP Program (Short Term Research Experience Program to Unlock Potential): 
  • Research Assistant, Dr. Susztak’s Lab, University of Pennsylvania 
    • Investigate impact of STING on kidney epithelial cells to target ER stress pathways in chronic kidney disease treatment; presented findings in UPenn KDSAP 2024 Research Symposium in May 2024, NIH NIDDK STEP-UP Year-Round Symposium in May 2024, and NIH NIDDK STEP-UP Summer Symposium in July 2024.
  • Research Assistant, Dr. DeMorrow’s Lab, University of Texas at Austin 
    • Investigated Gulf War Illness and impact of neurotransmitters and pharmaceuticals on liver used during war; presented findings in NIH NIDDK STEP-UP Summer Symposium in August 2023, the American Physician Science Association Symposium in February 2024, and the New England Science Symposium in March 2024. 
    • Co-publisher in paper covering the Gulf War illness and effects of alcohol and pharmaceuticals on liver that will be used for further testing of pharmaceuticals and their impact when used in excess on human body.