CV

MD/PhD Student GS1

University of Colorado – Anschutz School of Medicine – Medical Scientist Training Program

Department of Bioengineering – Neeves Lab

BS Biochemistry 2019

Arizona State University – Barrett, the Honors College – School of Molecular Sciences

Education

Arizona State University – Tempe, Arizona, 2019

Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA) – Aurora, Illinois, 2012 – 2015

Publications

Peela, N.*, Barrientos, E. S.*, Truong, D., Mouneimne, G., & Nikkhah, M. (2017). Effect of suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) on breast cancer cells within a tumor–stroma microfluidic model. Integrative Biology, 9(12), 988–999. http://doi.org/10.1039/C7IB00180K

*Equal Contribution

D. Truong, R. Fiorelli, E. S. Barrientos, E. L. Melendez, N. Sanai, S. Mehta, M. Nikkhah, “A Three Dimensional (3D) Organotypic Microfluidic Model for Glioma Stem Cells-Vascular Interactions”, Biomaterials, Accepted, In Press, 2018.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biomaterials.2018.07.048

D. Truong, A. Kratz, J. Park, E. S. Barrientos, H. Saini, T. Nguyen, B. A. Pockaj, G. Mouneimne, J. LaBaer, M. Nikkhah, “Human Organotypic Microfluidic Tumor Model Permits Investigation of the Interplay Between Patient-derived Fibroblasts and Breast Cancer Cells”, Cancer Research, OnlineFirst on April 16, 2019, DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-18-2293.

Research Experience

PIM1 Substrates in Prostate Cancer, Summer 2018

  • Investigated the role of novel PIM1 substrates in prostate cancer focusing on change in interactions between PIM1 substrate 14-3-3ζand PIM1 substrates LDHB and MDC1as detected by co-immunopreciptation.

P. Nuemophilla Effector Lgt2 Prevents Ire1 Autophosphorylation and Oligomerization (UCSF), Summer 2017

  • Determined mechanism of action for Legionella pneumophila effector Lgt2 on UPR Protein IRE1 by chemically inducing ER stress and measuring the level of IRE1 phosphorylation in cells infected with either wild type L. pneumophila or effector deficient strains of L. pneumophila. Phosphorylation was measured by western blot and immunofluorescence.

HDAC Inhibitor Drug affects Breast Cancer Cell Phenotype in a Microengineered 3D Invasion Assay (ASU), 2016 – 2017

  • Investigated how histone deacetylase inhibitor drug SAHA modulated invasive breast cancer cell phenotype within a 3D cancer Invasion Assay developed in the Nikkhah lab at Arizona State University.

Cloning Fluorescent Proteins into an HCV Genome (Rockefeller University), Summer 2016

  • At the Rice Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, I have been working toward cloning DsRed Express fluorescent protein into a Hepatitis C Virus genome in order to quantify replication in Huh-7.5 cells for genetic screens. Visiting intern as part of the Gateways to the Laboratory Summer Program at the Tri-institution MD/Ph.D. program.

Effect of Fibroblasts in Microfluidic Cancer Invasion Assay (ASU), 2015 – 2016

  • Focused on studying the effects of cancer-associated and normal mammary fibroblasts on breast cancer cell migration in a microfluidics device developed in the Nikkhah lab at Arizona State University.

Independent Study in Epigenetics (IMSA), 2014 – 2015

  • Worked with Sarah O’Leary of IMSA’s biology department on an independent study of epigenetics with a particular focus on the potential for future medical applications and treatments. The study began and ultimately revolved around the concepts in The Epigenetics Revolution by Nessa Carey.

Research in Nanoparticle Engineering (IMSA), 2013 – 2014

  • Engineered a water filtration with Dr. Mark Carlson. Our goal was to build a ceramic silver nanoparticle coated water filter that killed 99.99% of bacteria, filtered 40 liters of water per day, and cost less than $15. Final prototype killed 99.99%, cost less than $15, and filtered 30 liters in a day.

Presentations

Roles for Novel PIM1 Substrates in Prostate Cancer, Barrientos, E.S., Ruff, S., Logan, S.K., Garabedian, M.J., 2018, Leadership Alliance National Symposium [Oral].

Determining Mechanisms of Action for L. Pneumophila Effector Lgt2 on UPR Protein IRE1, Barrientos, E.S., 2017, Cornejo, E., Mukherjee, M., ABRCMS [Poster].

Effects of HDAC Inhibitors on Breast Cancer Cell Phenotype in a Microengineered 3D Invasion Assay,Barrientos, E.S.,Peela, N., Truong, D., Mounneimne, G., Nikkhah, M., 2017, Biomedical Engineering Society [Oral].

Protein Expression for Study of Anti-Cancer Drug in 3D Micro-Engineered Tumor Model, Barrientos, E.S., Nikkhah, M., 2016 Spring FURI Symposium [Poster].

Evaluation of Anti-Cancer Drug Suberoylanilide Hydroxamic Acid (SAHA) on Cancer Cell Phenotype in a Three-dimensional (3D) Breast Tumor-stroma Platform,Peela, N., Truong, D., Barrientos, E.S., Mounneimne, G., Nikkhah, M., 2016, International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences [Poster].

Microengineered Tumor-Stroma Platform Investigating the Biochemical Influence of Stromal Fibroblasts on Breast Cancer Invasion, Truong, D., Barrientos, E.S., Puleo, J., Mouneimne, G., Nikkhah, M., 2016, Biomedical Engineering Society 2016 Annual Meeting [Oral].

Synthesis of Modified Hepatitis C Virus Genomes to Screen for Replication-enhancing Host Factors Barrientos, E.S., Saeed, M., Rice, C.M., 2016, Leadership Alliance National Symposium [Oral].

Effect of Cancer Associated Fibroblasts on Migration of Invasive Breast Cancer Cells in a Microfluidic Device Barrientos, E.S., Nikkhah, M., 2016, Spring FURI Symposium [Poster].

Purifying Contaminated Water with Silver Nanoparticle-infused Ceramic Filters, Barrientos, E.S., Carlson, M., 2014, 26thAnnual IMSAloquium [Poster & Oral].

Clincal Experience

BIO 390 – HonorHealth Shea Emergency Department                                                                        Jan 2018 – Present

  • Observed physicians and nurses practice emergency medicine and

Achievements

    • NSF-REU Grant, 2017
    • Charles and Nancy Bivenour Memorial Scholar, 2017
    • Salt River Project Scholar, 2016
    • FURI Grant Recipient, Fall 2016
    • FURI Grant Recipient, Spring 2016
    • New American Scholar, 2015
    • Gore Undergraduate Research Grant Recipient, 2015
    • National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar, 2015
    • Illinois State Scholar, 2015                                                                                                                                               

Volunteer Experience

First Gen Scientists, 2017-present

  • Mentor for underserved middle school students after school teaching a specific science curriculum that teaches the scientific method and inspires curiosity.

Excel Summer Program Tutor at IMSA, 2013 & 2014

  • Tutored the 3 week Excel summer program for promising IMSA admits from poor academic backgrounds. Tutored math and biology while also providing residential support and leadership. We were also expected to be role models for these groups of incoming sophomores.

Peer Tutor at IMSA, 2013 – 2015

  • Subjects include SI Biology, SI Chemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Advanced Chemistry I & II, Mathematical Investigations I-IV.

Extracurricular Activities

Alpha Epsilon Delta Research Chair, 2016 – Present

  • Responsible for connecting AED members with research opportunities both on campus and elsewhere over the summers. Also in charge of setting up research skills and writing workshops.

Biomedical Engineering Society Member, 2015 – Present

  • BMES connects undergraduates, graduates, academics, and professionals in biomedical engineering, and provides a forum for cutting-edge biomedical engineering research.