Ysabella Perez

Hi! My name is Ysabella Perez, and I am a senior studying Biology and Medical Sociology. I am passionate about addressing health disparities and have a particular interest in orthostatic intolerance, dysautonomia/POTS, and related areas such as cognitive function and cardiovascular health. I plan to pursue an MD with the goal of contributing to dysautonomia research and ultimately becoming a surgeon (cardiothoracic or trauma!). 

I did not begin research until my freshman summer, but since then it has become a core part of my undergraduate experience. I have taken on diverse roles including field work, conducting cognitive interviews (MoCA, CDR, Neuro Battery) and surveys, blood pressure assessments, retrospective chart reviews, IRB protocol drafting, managing REDCap, and working with various software and databases for study devices. Currently, I am drafting a manuscript and look forward to publishing as a first author.

Outside of research, I am a part of Phi Delta Epsilon (PhiDE), Penn Club Field Hockey, and Cipactli Latinx Honor Society. I also enjoy traveling, boba, baking, and reading. Service and mentorship are also at the heart of my work at Penn: I volunteer with hospice care, serve as a peer support hotline responder, and mentor high school students as a Matriculate Advising Fellow. On campus, I am also on board of Invisible Illness Awareness at Penn, support peers as a Writing Fellow at the Marks Family Writing Center, and work as the Head LA for Penn’s General Chemistry Labs. 

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions about research, being pre-med, navigating research with a disability, my majors, extracurriculars, study abroad, or just balancing it all—I am always happy to connect! 

• Clinical Research Assistant / Academic Associate Program | Penn Presbyterian Medical Center (PPMC) and Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) — August 2025 - Present