Cynthia Ortiz
Summary
Recent graduate with foundational knowledge in epidemiology and hands-on experience gained through academic projects and internships. Demonstrates strong teamwork, problem-solving, and time-management skills. Committed to leveraging these qualities to drive team success and contribute to organizational growth.
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Florida Atlantic University
01.2025 - Current
- As a Research Assistant in Dr. Scholl's lab, I am engaged in projects exploring environmental impacts on life history strategies, population dynamics, and community interactions.
- Our interdisciplinary approach combines field observations, experiments, and modeling to investigate plant biology, including seed heteromorphism and polymorphism.
- This research integrates my interests in botany and medicine, providing a unique opportunity to explore the intersection between plant biology and medicinal advancements.
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Florida Atlantic University
01.2025 - Current
- Collaborating with Dr. Pipoly to develop a curriculum for experiential learning stations on Deerfield Island, serving Broward County Naturalists, science teachers, and students (middle school to pre-K).
- Contributing to creating educational materials for After School Science and Geography Review programs.
- Gaining valuable experience in curriculum development and environmental education.
Medical Assistant Volunteer
West Boca Medical Center
12.2024 - Current
- Obtained and documented patient medical history, vital signs, current complaints, medication information, symptoms, and allergies.
- Sanitized, restocked, and organized exam rooms and medical equipment.
- Provided emotional support to patients during difficult medical experiences, fostering trust and rapport within the clinical setting.
- This immersive experience provides me with valuable, hands-on knowledge of diagnosing and treating complex conditions, including chronic kidney disease, hypokalemia, and hypertension, under the guidance of Dr. Raj Agarwala, a nephrologist.
Hospice Volunteer
TrustBridge Health
08.2024 - Current
- Served as a liaison between patients, families, and hospice staff to facilitate seamless communication and collaboration in end-of-life care management.
- Participated in ongoing training sessions to further enhance skills and knowledge in hospice care best practices.
- Offered patients emotional and social support by listening, reading and playing non-strenuous games.
- Prepared meals for individuals and assisted with feeding.
Standardized Patient Program Volunteer
Schmidt College of Medicine
02.2024 - Current
- Study the standardized patient story and recreate the given medical history, physical findings, and emotions of an actual patient in a clinical simulation.
- Assist FAU medical students in developing the knowledge, skills and behavior needed to examine a patient.
Food Bank Volunteer
Boca Helping Hands
02.2024 - Current
- Prepared and packaged boxes during box assembly line phase.
- Enhanced community food security by efficiently sorting and distributing donated items.
- Advocated for food security at local events, raising awareness and support.
Undergraduate Peer Mentor
Florida Atlantic University
06.2023 - Current
- Guided first-year students through successful transitions into college life by offering advice on time management skills, academic expectations, and social adjustment.
- Connected mentees with academic resources such as tutoring services or workshops when needed to improve performance levels.
Head Girl's Tennis Coach
West Boca Raton High School
03.2022 - Current
- Improved team dynamics through effective communication and goal-setting sessions, fostering a supportive environment for player growth.
- Prepared athletes for special competitions and tournaments.
- Boosted team's performance by implementing innovative training techniques tailored to each athlete's strengths and weaknesses.
Emergency Room Volunteer
Baptist Health Boca Regional
05.2024 - 01.2025
- Enhanced patient comfort by providing compassionate care and emotional support during their emergency room visits.
- Demonstrated adaptability when responding to urgent situations or unexpected changes in daily operations within the emergency department setting.
- Ensured accurate inventory management of necessary supplies within designated storage areas, allowing quick access during high-pressure situations.
Research Intern
Functional Food Center
08.2024 - 12.2024
- Help compose articles based on bioactive compounds available for managing chronic diseases, working under Dr. Martirosyan.
- Perform additional research about functional food products, editing bi-weekly newsletters and editing/publishing articles for Journal Functional Foods in Health and Disease (FFHD).
- Conducted literature reviews, gathered data from various scientific journals and databases, and contributed to two publications in the journal.
Medical Assistant Volunteer
All Better Pediatric Group
03.2022 - 06.2024
- Shadowed Dr. Renato Berger, a pediatric pulmonologist, gaining valuable insight into patient care and clinical decision-making.
- Contributed to high-quality care by obtaining vital signs and conducting preliminary assessments for physician review.
- Enhancing communication skills through interactions with patients in Spanish and Portuguese, fostering cultural competency and empathy.
Strength and Conditioning Coach
Costa Performance
10.2021 - 05.2024
- Educated athletes on proper lifting techniques, reducing the risk of injury during weight room sessions.
- Enhanced athlete performance by designing and implementing customized strength and conditioning programs.
- Stayed up-to-date on current research trends in strength and conditioning, applying new techniques as appropriate for improved results.
- Worked with advanced training technologies such as Force plate, Barbell Mate, and VBT studies to enhance athlete performance.
- Served as a mentor for younger or less experienced coaches on staff, offering guidance on program planning and execution strategies.
Assistant Researcher
Independent Research Study
10.2021 - 03.2022
- Collaborated with Joey Stark, a Strength and Conditioning Graduate Assistant on a research study testing the manipulation of movement velocity to optimize muscular adaptations.
- This study employed a randomized controlled design, where participants were assigned to either a VBT group or a traditional resistance training (TRT) group.
- The VBT group performed resistance exercises with a focus on maximizing movement velocity, using a linear position transducer to track barbell displacement.
Physical Therapy Aide Intern
Physical Therapy Now
05.2023 - 07.2023
- Improved patient comfort by assisting with proper positioning and support during therapy sessions.
- Strengthened relationships with clients by providing empathetic listening and encouragement during challenging moments in their recovery journey.
- Gained substantial experience with a geriatric patient population, focused on rehabilitation from motor vehicle accidents, stroke recovery, arthritis management, and post-joint replacement therapy.
Assistant Athletic Trainer
Universal Tennis
05.2023 - 06.2023
- UTR event: 80K ATP Men's Challenger Main Draw and Qualifying Wildcard for The Caribbean Open by Jason Zafiros.
- Provided emergency care during athletic events, minimizing injury severity and expediting recovery time.
- Instructed athletes on appropriate stretches and at-home treatments for minor injuries.
- The most common acute to chronic injuries in full swing: Osgood-Schlatters, Patellar Tendonitis, Tennis Elbow, a Hamstring strain, Ankle sprain, Ganglion Cyst, Labrum tear, Achilles tendon rupture, etc
Education
Bachelor of Science - Health Sciences And Public Health
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL05-2024
Skills
- Data analysis
- Communication and media
- Research writing
- Project leadership
- Analytical thinking
- Customer service
Accomplishments
- I authored two published articles. The first, "Bioactive Compounds in Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.): A Review of Their Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects," explores the health benefits of peanuts. The second article, "Utilizing Fruits of Newly Selected Armenian Varieties of Apricot in Functional Food," examines the potential uses of apricots in functional food.
- Graduated Summa Cum Laude from Florida Atlantic University (FAU) as a first-generation college student, earning a Bachelor's degree in Health Sciences.
- Consistently recognized for academic excellence, earning placement on both the President's List and Dean's List.
- As Head Coach, led the West Boca girls' tennis team, to successfully conclude the season with a remarkable 16-1 record and secure the Class 4A District Championship title.
Certification
- Certified CPR/AED/First Aid, American Red Cross
- Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Portuguese
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Interests
- Youth mentor, providing guidance and support to empower the next generation of leaders
- Volunteering for community initiatives to give back to local communities and make a positive impact
- Food justice advocate, working to address food insecurity and promote access to healthy, affordable food
- In my free time, I enjoy staying active through kayaking, running, and playing tennis
- Regularly practice mindfulness and meditation for overall wellness
Timeline
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Florida Atlantic University
01.2025 - Current
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Florida Atlantic University
01.2025 - Current
Medical Assistant Volunteer
West Boca Medical Center
12.2024 - Current
Hospice Volunteer
TrustBridge Health
08.2024 - Current
Research Intern
Functional Food Center
08.2024 - 12.2024
Emergency Room Volunteer
Baptist Health Boca Regional
05.2024 - 01.2025
Standardized Patient Program Volunteer
Schmidt College of Medicine
02.2024 - Current
Food Bank Volunteer
Boca Helping Hands
02.2024 - Current
Undergraduate Peer Mentor
Florida Atlantic University
06.2023 - Current
Physical Therapy Aide Intern
Physical Therapy Now
05.2023 - 07.2023
Assistant Athletic Trainer
Universal Tennis
05.2023 - 06.2023
Head Girl's Tennis Coach
West Boca Raton High School
03.2022 - Current
Medical Assistant Volunteer
All Better Pediatric Group
03.2022 - 06.2024
Strength and Conditioning Coach
Costa Performance
10.2021 - 05.2024
Assistant Researcher
Independent Research Study
10.2021 - 03.2022
Bachelor of Science - Health Sciences And Public Health
Florida Atlantic University
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