Education

EIOH Intern Spotlight - Kelly-Anais Torres Ballester

Jul. 30, 2024
a girl with long hair in a lab coat
Kelly-Anais Torres Ballester

Meet Kelly-Anais Torres Ballester, an Industrial Microbiology student at the University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo, and an intern with the University’s Summer Scholars Program. Check out how her intern experience at UR/EIOH aligned and supported her career goals.

Q: What are you majoring in at the Minority Institute University of Puerto Rico?
A: I am majoring in Biology with a Concentration in Industrial Microbiology at the University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo.

Q: What are your career goals?
A: I plan to pursue a doctoral study in Dental Medicine and a PhD in Microbiology, which align with my passion for improving oral health disparities in underserved communities in Puerto Rico. Obtaining a DMD and a PhD will expose me to clinical training in treating oral diseases while allowing me to research the relationship between oral health and chronic conditions affecting minorities, such as heart disease and diabetes. As an aspiring clinician-scientist, I intend to create solutions through innovative research and improve clinical health outcomes in minority populations.

Q: Why did you want to pursue an internship here?
A: I was attracted by the academic excellence and strong research faculty at the University of Rochester. While looking for potential mentors, I was most drawn to the work being done by Dr. Jin Xiao and her team, as it greatly aligns with my research interests and future aspirations. The opportunity seemed a perfect fit. Moreover, I wanted to step out of my comfort zone and seek opportunities beyond my home island. This internship will let me apply what I have learned in class, gain hands-on experience, acquire new skills, and collaborate with people from different backgrounds to create a positive change within underrepresented populations.

A group of people in professional attire poses in front of a staircase
Kelly-Anais Torres Ballester with EIOH faculty and residents

 

Q: What exactly does the internship entail?
A: During the internship, I have been working on an ongoing research study under the supervision of Dr. Yan Wu. In this project, I had the opportunity to develop a research poster from scratch, covering all the aspects from conducting experiments to analyzing data and presenting findings effectively. I am also gaining hands-on experience with various lab techniques such as inoculation procedures, recollection and processing of samples, pipetting, microbial collection, culture media preparation, and much more.

In addition to these practical skills, we are provided with weekly research seminars offered by faculty, students, postdoctoral fellows, and visiting scientists who cover a wide range of topics. We also participate in career and professional development workshops and have the opportunity to attend networking and social events hosted by the university. This combination of practical lab experience and professional growth opportunities has been immensely enriching and broadened my horizons in the research field.

Q:  How’s it going so far?
A: It’s going amazing so far! I have acquired an incredible amount of knowledge from distinguished faculty and learned techniques I would never have imagined being exposed to during my undergraduate studies. On top of that, I have formed incredible friendships and lifelong connections with fellow colleagues and mentors who have the same passion that I do for finding innovative solutions to improve oral healthcare for minority populations. This experience has been extremely rewarding and will undoubtedly help me achieve my future goals.