Laura Castaneda

Third-year Biomedical Engineering student at Illinois Institute of Technology with training in biological laboratory instrumentation and experience in leading and managing teams. Currently looking for a summer internship to further develop my clinical research skills and data analysis techniques.

I possess a diverse professional background that underscores my strong research and leadership skills. During my tenure at the Illinois Institute of Technology from May 2023 to July 2023, I spearheaded a two-month research project optimizing hydrogel variations for wound dressings, co-authoring a significant research article. In June and July 2022, my Global Business Management and Leadership Internship at Culver Summer Schools and Camps showcased my leadership skills, guiding a group of 35 high school girls in various leadership activities while coaching and teaching sports. Serving as President and Treasurer of the Biomedical Engineering Society from August 2022 to the present, I secured funding, fostered growth, and initiated a successful merchandise program. My role in organizing the Chicago Area Research Symposium from August 2021 to April 2023 involved orchestrating a 200-person research symposium and managing logistics. As a Research Assistant at the Illinois Institute of Technology from January 2022 to November 2022, I contributed to diabetes research by creating a bioinformatics pipeline. My involvement in Hack Harvard 2022, national finalist status in the 2019 Colombian Science Olympics, Executive Board membership in Tau Beta Pi, and participation in the Women's Basketball team underline my commitment to research, leadership, and community engagement.

I am currently a third-year biomedical engineering student in the cell and tissue engineering track.