Alejandro Peralta Jacome
Sarasota,FL
Summary
With a diverse background in research, healthcare, entrepreneurship, translation, and community service, I have developed a well-rounded skill set and a deep passion for medicine. My experiences, from running a business and bridging communication gaps in healthcare to contributing to various volunteer efforts, have collectively shaped my journey and prepared me for medical school. Each role has been a deliberate step towards my goal of becoming a neurosurgeon. As a first-generation student with parents from Ecuador, my background has fueled my mission to enhance healthcare accessibility for all populations. Every decision I’ve made has been strategically aligned with my medical school aspirations. Driven by a profound commitment to advancing medical research, providing compassionate patient care, and contributing to the global healthcare community, I will be a neurosurgeon. My diverse experiences and determination position me to excel in this field and support my mission of improving healthcare access.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Summer Research Intern
Moffitt Cancer Center
Tampa, FL
06.2024 - Current
- In Lixin Wan's lab, I assisted with research on Anaphase-Promoting Complexes (APC) and their role in cancer cell cycle regulation
- I was in charge of maintaining and splitting pancreatic and ovarian cancer cells in vitro, ensuring optimal growth conditions, monitoring cell health, and performing regular sub-culturing to maintain cell viability for experiments.
- Gained hands-on experience with lab techniques such as cell culture, Western blotting, PCR, and immunofluorescence staining.
- Participated in team discussions and contributed to experimental design and data analysis.
- Observed the application of advanced research methodologies aimed at developing novel anti-cancer therapies
- Wrote reports detailing experimental results and conclusions drawn from the data.
- Attended seminars and workshops related to current topics in the field of study.
Emergency Department Support
Medstar Good Samaritan Hospital
Baltimore , Maryland
09.2023 - Current
- Providing essential patient support and administrative assistance.
- Collaborated with other departments to develop human resource plans that support the organization's objectives.
- Supported implementation of enterprise resource planning systems into various departments within the organization.
- Provided technical support to other departments during problem solving initiatives.
- Responsibilities include patient support during emergencies, administrative tasks such as EKG recordings, and greeting and wayfinding for visitors
- Conducted regular reviews of departmental activities to identify opportunities for improvement in efficiency or effectiveness of Emergency Services operations.
Spanish Language Services Translator
Baltimore City Health Department
Baltimore , Maryland
08.2023 - Current
- Provided Spanish translation support for patient appointment scheduling.
- Translated a variety of documents from English to Spanish, including legal contracts and medical records.
- Provided interpretation services during meetings and conferences.
- Assisted non-English speaking clients with communication issues at the vaccination clinic.
- Conducted research to ensure accuracy in translations.
- Interpreted verbal conversations in real time into another language.
- Trained other translators or interpreters in specialized field terminologies.
Academic Tutor
Schoolhouse.world
Online/Virtual
08.2023 - Current
- Delivered comprehensive academic support in mathematics and chemistry to aid high school and incoming college students
- Specialized in algebra, geometry, calculus, and various chemistry topics while advertising services through SchoolHouse.World to connect with students globally.
- Organized study groups to provide additional support for students who needed extra assistance with course material.
- Monitored student progress throughout the semester by tracking grades, test scores, and other relevant data points.
- Provided guidance to students on how to approach problem solving strategies.
Business Owner/Founder
Bros Multi-Service
Siesta Key, FL
03.2017 - Current
- Managed properties on Siesta Key, providing landscaping, pool maintenance, and grill cleaning services.
- Acquired proficiency in time management, scheduling, and web maintenance through hands-on experience.
- Handled account management, website administration, and financial tasks remotely during college semesters spent in Baltimore.
- Updated website content regularly according to current trends within target markets.
- Monitored cash flow to ensure proper budgeting of resources.
- Established marketing strategies, such as social media campaigns, to promote the business.
- Identified and recruited staff members, including managers and sales personnel.
- Conducted regular meetings with employees to review progress towards the business's goals.
Undergraduate Research Assistant
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Baltimore, MD
10.2023 - 06.2024
- Assisted in research on transcranial electrical stimulation (tES and DCS) for language and memory impairments in neurodegenerative disorders, under the guidance of Kyrana Tsapkini, PhD.
- Interpreted actigraphy data to assess activity patterns and rest-activity cycles in Alzheimer's and speech aphasia patients, revealing correlations with cognitive and speech impairment severity.
- Reviewed and analyzed data from multimodal imaging techniques such as MPRAGE, resting-state fMRI, pCASL, and Spectroscopy.
- Worked closely with a multidisciplinary team to ensure accurate data collection and analysis.
- Prepared reports summarizing findings from research activities.
- Conducted literature searches to identify relevant articles for review.
- Prepared presentations summarizing study results for internal use.
Small Business Owner
Bros Beach Parking
Siesta Key, FL
03.2019 - 07.2023
- Arranged and supervised parking for tourists visiting Siesta Key.
- Performed various responsibilities such as roadside signage, crowd guidance, and preventing vehicle blockage.
- Monitored customer feedback and implemented changes based on their suggestions.
- Developed business plans and strategies to grow small business.
Research Assistant Intern
Universidad Nacional de Chimborazo
Riobamba, Ecuador
06.2020 - 01.2022
- Assisted in various research studies conducted by Professor Luis Tello-Oquendo, PhD, at the National University of Chimborazo.
- Collected, organized, and wrote data for research papers based on surveys conducted for multiple studies.
- Performed analysis and comparison of various brain cancer medical images.
- Reviewed data from H&E and MRI for literature review based on histopathological imaging.
- Contributed to the development and publication of studies on Al-based system for detecting and locating brain tumors on cranial magnetic resonance imaging
- Conducted interviews with subject matter experts to gather additional information related to project goals.
- Created visual aids such as charts, graphs, diagrams based on gathered information.
Research/Physician Assistant
Hospital Clínica Metropolitana de Riobamba
Riobamba, Ecuador
07.2019 - 08.2021
- Assisted disabled patients under the supervision of Dr Fernando Vaca Riofrio.
- Conducted studies and surveys to analyze the population of Riobamba.
- Collected and tested Riobamba's water samples using Raman and Infrared spectroscopy.
- Conducted analysis on the impact of water on population, identifying inflammation and DNA damage as key consequences.
- Participated in multidisciplinary team meetings to discuss complex cases; collaborated with other healthcare providers.
Medical Assistant and Researcher
Ministerio de Salud Pública
Taisha, Ecuador
06.2019 - 08.2021
- Conducted research and assisted in Dr. Ingancio Cordero's vaccination clinic for the Shuar, an indigenous tribe of Ecuador.
- Measured and recorded the weight and height of the Shuar people
- Analyzed data from TTCs and compared it to World Health Organization tables to assess the Shuar's health levels.
- Evaluated the necessity for oral vitamin supplementation through 2 research studies, aimed at reducing malnutrition in children below 5 years of age.
- Conducted epidemiological surveillance for iodine and iodine deficiency disorders and analyzed nutritional status.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Neuroscience
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD05-2027
High School Diploma -
Sarasota High School
Sarasota, FL05-2023
Skills
- Cell culture: Maintaining and splitting pancreatic and ovarian cancer cell lines
- Molecular biology: Performing PCR, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence staining
- Data analysis: Using R and SPSS for interpreting experimental data
- Experimental design: Formulating hypotheses and developing protocols
- Research methods: Assisting with transcranial electrical stimulation (tES and DCS) research for neurodegenerative disorders
- Actigraphy data: Interpreting activity patterns and rest-activity cycles in Alzheimer's and aphasia patients
- Imaging data: Analyzing multimodal imaging techniques (MPRAGE, resting-state fMRI, pCASL, Spectroscopy)
- Data review: Collaborating with a multidisciplinary team for accurate data collection and analysis
- Report preparation: Summarizing research findings and preparing presentations
- Literature review: Conducting searches for relevant articles
- Patient interaction: Observing and interacting with patients in clinical settings
- Medical equipment: Organizing and managing medical equipment for donation
- Team coordination: Leading teams for medical sorting and community activities
- Event organization: Planning fundraisers and community service events
- Scientific communication: Presenting scientific concepts through reports and presentations
- Volunteer coordination: Leading volunteer activities and cleanups
- Lab equipment: Proficient with centrifuges, microscopes, and pipettes
- Software: Skilled in Microsoft Office, lab management, and data analysis tools
- Business management: Overseeing operations, finances, and project coordination
- Marketing: Developing and implementing marketing strategies
- Customer service: Managing relationships and ensuring satisfaction
- Sales and negotiation: Handling transactions and negotiating terms
- Budgeting: Creating and managing budgets, tracking expenses
- Team leadership: Recruiting, training, and managing staff
Accomplishments
- JHU Life Design Lab's 2024 SOAR Summer Plunge Scholarship
- Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) and Southwest Airlines' 20th Annual ¡Lánzate!/Take Off! Travel 2024 Award
- 2022 Ecuador's Outstanding Research and Assistance Award for Future Medical Leaders
- Featured in the Observer's 2023 Spirit of America Issue
- Hopkins Donor-Funded Scholarship
- Father Connie Dougherty Memorial 2023 Scholarship
- Lewis K. Cooksey Educational 2024 Scholarship
- Dean's List Recipient 2023-24
- Gulfcoast South AHEC Health Careers Program Acceptance
- Charles S. Herron, Jr. M.D. Student Healthcare 2023 Scholarship
- Edward B and Violet M Cuthbert 2023 Scholarship
- Gould Family Trust 2023 Scholarship
- Wellington Chen M.D. Student Healthcare 2023 Scholarship
Languages
Spanish
Native/ Bilingual
English
Native/ Bilingual
Certification
- Human Subject Research - Biomedical Research CITI Program Issued Jan 2024 Expires Jan 2027 Credential ID 60266526
- Researchers CITI Program - Issued Jan 2024 Credential ID 60266527
- Good Clinical Practice and ICH CITI Program -Issued Jan 2024 Expires Jan 2027 Credential ID 60266525
Affiliations
Neurosurgery Shadowing Program Participant
Dec 2023 - Mar 2024, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, St Petersburg, FL
- Shadowing the neurosurgery team, gaining insights into clinical practice and patient care.
- Observing surgical procedures, consultations, and treatment plans under esteemed neurosurgeons.
- Enhancing understanding of neurosurgical techniques and reinforcing the aspiration to pursue a neurosurgery career.
Supporting Hospitals Abroad with Resources and Equipment (SHARE)
2023 - Present
- Organized unused medical equipment at Johns Hopkins Memorial Hospital, ensuring proper categorization and storage.
- Managed a team for ordering, packaging, and shipping medical equipment to communities in need.
- Led social sorting sessions, guiding volunteers and overseeing sorting activities.
- Participated in a shadowing program, observing neurosurgeons to gain insights into neurosurgical procedures and patient care.
NU RHO PSI JHU Organization
2023 - Present
- Attended presentations by neuroscientists, learning about cutting-edge research and developments in neuroscience.
- Engaged in Glial Cell Network Mentorship, receiving guidance from experienced mentors and mentoring underclassmen.
- Attended Neurosurgery Grand Rounds, gaining exposure to clinical case discussions and surgical techniques.
- Organized fundraisers, including food drives for Our Daily Bread Employment Center in Baltimore.
USTA Florida | Bradenton, FL
Coach Assistant
October 2021 - July 2023
- Trained five days a week year-round at Tennis RX Academy, focusing on skill development and competitive readiness.
- Led practice sessions and mentored fellow athletes.
- Competed in USTA and UTR tournaments nationwide, representing Tennis RX Academy.
Johns Hopkins University Club Tennis Team
Member
September 2023 - Present
- Participate in regular practices and play for the club team, continuing to develop tennis skills and contribute to team dynamics.
Key Club
2019 - 2023
- Conducted food drives for All Faiths Food Bank, collecting and distributing food.
- Participated in Salvation Army bell ringing, raising funds for charitable causes.
- Helped set up fun runs and organized beach cleanups, coordinating logistics and improving local environments.
Timeline
Summer Research Intern
Moffitt Cancer Center
06.2024 - Current
Undergraduate Research Assistant
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
10.2023 - 06.2024
Emergency Department Support
Medstar Good Samaritan Hospital
09.2023 - Current
Spanish Language Services Translator
Baltimore City Health Department
08.2023 - Current
Academic Tutor
Schoolhouse.world
08.2023 - Current
Research Assistant Intern
Universidad Nacional de Chimborazo
06.2020 - 01.2022
Research/Physician Assistant
Hospital Clínica Metropolitana de Riobamba
07.2019 - 08.2021
Medical Assistant and Researcher
Ministerio de Salud Pública
06.2019 - 08.2021
Small Business Owner
Bros Beach Parking
03.2019 - 07.2023
Business Owner/Founder
Bros Multi-Service
03.2017 - Current
Bachelor of Science - Neuroscience
Johns Hopkins University
High School Diploma -
Sarasota High School