Diego Franco

Recent graduate with excellent research, technical and problem-solving skills. Detail-oriented and able to learn new concepts quickly. With plans to become to work in the medical field. With a strong interest in the physical sciences and the medical field, my ultimate goal is to use my background in technology and health to revolutionize the industry. My dedication to my studies and passion for healthcare and technology make me a promising candidate for a career in medicine, where I will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of future patients and people.

• Emergency Medical Technician License - 09/2022
• CPR Certification
• IT Support, Google - 2022
• AWR 111; 160
• FEMAS 5, 100, 200, 700, 800
• CEVO 4

• TTR Apprentice at Weill Cornell Medicine: Assisted in setting up mock medical cases for future health care workers. I was tasked in setting up IV's, dressings, high tech mannequins among other equipment, as well as assisting in the AV side of the program; working with software that displays vitals, x-rays and anatomical sounds(Lungs + Heart)
• Pre-Pa/Med Society: Member of A student-run organization that provides resources and support for students interested in pursuing a career in medicine. I often participated in monthly presentations for disease awareness. I Participated in workshops involving networking with other medical professionals.
• CSTEP: Member of CSTEP at CUNY CSI; I attended multiple workshops and events where I was able to network with various professionals in STEM.
• CUNY CSI Undergraduate Research Conference: I had the opportunity to present my research alongside fellow undergraduate researchers, emphasizing the College's appreciation for the significance of undergraduate research and creative endeavors.

Undergrad Research at CUNY College of Staten Island (2021-)

• Investigated the interactions between S100A12 and RAGE in vivo alongside my provost Dr.Rupal Gupta and post doc, Qian Wang. The research has have clinical relevance in various pathological conditions. The development of plasmids capable of generating RAGE fusion proteins with fluorescent tags can be utilized in future research for studying protein-protein interactions and signaling pathways in other biological processes.
• In my role, I supported my provost/PI by participating in a wide range of tests, and investigations, which included tasks like PCR testing, transformations, purification processes, transfections, sonification, and electrophoresis. I operated advanced equipment such as high-end centrifuges, incubators, UV spectrometers, and a confocal microscope. Alongside assisting ongoing research, I conducted independent studies, presenting my findings to both peers and faculty. Additionally, I collaborated effectively with fellow students and faculty members, fostering an environment for innovative idea generation and problem-solving

• Volunteer at Weill Cornell Medicine (2023-) : I actively participated in medical-related workshops, assuming multiple roles such as actor, model, and AV support. One noteworthy experience was my involvement in their "Sim Olympics," where I had the opportunity to act in various medical scenarios alongside medical and nursing students as well as other aspiring healthcare professionals. Additionally, I contributed to equipment setup to ensure the smooth operation of each case or scenario. In this capacity, I immersed myself in specific roles, such as portraying a concerned father in an ER room, striving to provide an authentic learning experience that effectively connected theoretical knowledge with real-world practice.
• Volunteer at New York Cares (2022-) : Offered support to the elderly or individuals with disabilities. I also helped in distributing meals at homeless shelters and food pantries across all five boroughs of New York City.