Research

Alejandra Navarro-Rosado

*** ****** ***** ********** *, Cidra, PR, 00739

Email: *********.********@***.***

Phone Number: 939-***-****

Education

B.S. Natural Sciences 2025

University of Puerto Rico at Cayey Cayey, PR

Research Experience

Research Assistant August 2022 - May 2025

University of Puerto Rico at Cayey-Department of Chemistry Cayey, PR Supervisor: Ruth Pietri Meléndez, Ph.D.

Investigated the aggregation and disaggregation of H2S in SOD1 fibrils, to understand the role of H2S in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

Performed Fluorescence Spectroscopy and UV-Vis analyzes for the disaggregation of H2S in SOD1 fibrils.

Mentored and guided undergraduate students working in the laboratory.

Assisted the professor teaching and guiding undergraduate students from the Biochemistry Laboratory skills and techniques for the realization of different experiments. Research Intern June 2024 - August 2024

Boston University-Department of Biology Boston, MA Supervisor: Thomas Gilmore, Ph.D.

Investigated the DNA-Binding Activity of the NF- B transcription factor in jellyfishes.

Performed a modified DNA-Binding Assay to confirm the binding activity of the NF- B transcription factor in jellyfishes.

Research Intern June 2023 - August 2023

Rutgers New Jersey Medical School-Center of Immunity & Inflammation ; Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics Newark, NJ

Studied the Recombinant expression of enzymes linked to polymyxin resistance.

Optimized the purification strategy of ArnA soluble enzyme from Salmonella enterica by introducing Streptavidin-Tag with molecular cloning.

Performed side by side Strep-Tag and His-Tag protein purification of ArnA to compare the yield and to test for the stability and purity of the proteins by using Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC). Research Intern June 2022 - August 2022

Rutgers New Jersey Medical School-Center of Immunity & Inflammation ; Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics Newark, NJ

Studied the Recombinant expression of enzymes linked to polymyxin resistance.

Elucidated the mechanistic basis of ArnA and ArnB soluble enzymes participating in the L-Ara4N biosynthetic pathway.

Performed Mid-scale His-Tag protein purification of both ArnA and ArnB to increase the yield of protein sample, and test for the stability and purity of the proteins with the peaks obtained by using Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC).

2

Research Intern June 2019 - July 2019

Universidad Ana G. Mendez at Gurabo-Department of Engineering Gurabo, PR

Explored both the positive aspects and challenges of chemical engineering in Puerto Rico.

Examined the economic opportunities it brings, such as its role in the pharmaceutical and manufacturing industries, as well as the environmental and infrastructural limitations the island faces. Presentations

Characterization of the DNA-Binding Activity of Jellyfish Transcription Factor NF-κB

Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists (ABRCMS) November 2024

UROP 27th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium at Boston University October 2024 The Role of Hydrogen Sulfide in Neurodegenerative Diseases

42nd Puerto Rico Interdisciplinary Scientific Meeting (PRISM) & 57th ACS Junior Technical Meeting April 2024

Recombinant Expression of Enzymes Linked to Polymyxin Resistance

University of Puerto Rico at Cayey U-RISE Research Symposium September 2023

Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Summer Research Symposium August 2023

Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS): National Diversity in STEM Conference October 2022

Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Summer Research Symposium August 2022 Publications

Williams, L., et al. (2025). Comparison of Activities of Transcription Factor NF-κB from Two Jellyfish Models

[waiting for publishing]

Fellowships

Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program (SURF) June 2024 - August 2024 Boston University Boston, MA

Program to Advance Training in Health and Sciences (PATHS) Scholar July 2023 - June 2024 Yale School of Medicine New Haven, CT

Skills

Molecular Biology Techniques:

DNA Cloning

DNA Extraction

PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)

Gibson Assembly

Bacterial Transformation

3

Cell Biology & Tissue Culture:

Tissue Culture

Cell Transfection

Immunofluorescence

Protein Analysis & Biochemistry:

KTA (ÄKTA system for protein purification)

Size Exclusion Chromatography

SDS-PAGE

Western Blotting

Protein Purification

UV-Vis Spectroscopy

Fluorescent Spectroscopy

Functional & Interaction Assays:

DNA-Binding Assay

Reporter Gene Assay

Extracurricular

American Medical Student Association (AMSA) August 2020 – May 2025 University of Puerto Rico at Cayey Cayey, PR

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