Vincent C
- Research Program Mentor

PhD candidate at Johns Hopkins University

Expertise

drug delivery, biosensors, analytical chemistry, proteins, python, biomarkers

Bio

Hello, my name is Vincent and I am a Ph.D. student at Johns Hopkins University. My research focuses on developing new biosensors to monitor diseases and improve patient care! I am very passionate about helping people and hope to make a difference with my research. Outside of research, I am passionate about gardening and playing sports. I'm normally tending to my plants or outside going for a walk. Also a fun fact about me is that I was invited to the White House to speak with the President about type one diabetes research when I was younger!

Project ideas

Project ideas are meant to help inspire student thinking about their own project. Students are in the driver seat of their research and are free to use any or none of the ideas shared by their mentors.

Developing new sensors

In this project, we will try to develop a brand new DNA sequence to be used as a biosensor. You will begin by reading scientific articles and learn about a disease of interest. Once you have chosen a target, you will learn about what a biomarker is, and what biomarkers are present when a patient has your disease of interest. You will then rationally design DNA sequences that will bind to these disease biomarkers using computer programming. Skills used/learned: Reading and understanding scientific articles Making scientific figures Designing 3-dimensional DNA structures Using Python to model DNA structures

Protein Processing Program

You are a new researcher who is investigating a new protein you have discovered. In order to characterize your protein, you must compare it's qualities to known proteins found in the Protein Databank. It would take too long to do your comparisons one by one, so you will use your coding skills to make a python script. This python script will bring up a graphical interface and allow you to compare your protein data with the data of other known proteins. You will compare your protein on the basis of: hydrophobicity, size, number of residues, structure, and more! Skills learned: Coding in python, protein structure and function, large data processing, making scientific figures

Coding skills

python

Languages I know

Spanish, intermediate

Teaching experience

Previously, I mentored and tutored first generation college students as they transitioned to university and took their first year courses. I've also been a mentor to students at Morgan State University as they prepared to graduate and enter the workforce. I have a passion for teaching and am excited to help students learn!

Credentials

Education

University of Massachusetts Amherst

BS Bachelor of Science (2020)

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

MS Master of Science

Chemical Biology

Johns Hopkins University

PhD Doctor of Philosophy candidate