Evan Wong

UTMB Department of Neurology, Research Assistant | Advisor: Dr. Balaji, Krishnan, PhD 

• Study: PLD1 inhibition as a therapy to attenuate cognitive decline in Alzheimer's Disease.
• Skills exercised: Bench protocol, Fiji, Image J, western blot, Immunofluorescence and microscopy, mouse dissection and behavioral observation, Biorender, Graphpad Prism, Microsoft Excel

UTMB Department of Transplant Surgery, Research Assistant | Advisor: Dr. Michael Kueht, MD

• Study: Post Renal Transplant Outcomes in Patients with Early Steroid Withdrawal
• Skills exercised: TriNETX, Biorender, Microsoft Excel

Completed Posters / Abstracts:

• (1) Behavioral Effects of Selective PLD1 Overexpression in the Hippocampus of WT Aged Mice; Department of Neurology
• (2) Behavioral Effects of Selective PLD1 Inhibition in the hippocampus of WT Aged Mice: Implications for Alzheimer's Disease; Department of Neurology
• (3) Post-developmental Phospholipase D1 in Health and Disease: Effect of dendritic spine driven cognitive states; Department of Neurology
• (4) Post-Renal Transplant Outcomes in Patients Treated with Early Steroid Withdrawal: Sepsis and UTI Etiology; Department of Transplant Surgery
• (5) Comparing UTI Incidence in Elderly Post-Renal Transplant Patients Undergoing Early Steroid Withdrawal vs. Steroid Continuous Immunosuppression; Department of Transplant Surgery
• (6) Functional Assessments of Phospholipase D1 using wild-type and 3xTgAD mice: Spatial and temporal mechanisms for the progression of neurodegeneration; Department of Neurology
• (7) Phospholipase D1 (PLD1) Signaling in Neurodegenerative States - Looking at brain regions and cellular components; Department of Neurology
• (8) Infectious Disease Susceptibility in One-Year Lung Transplant Patients Undergoing Basiliximab Induction Immunosuppression; Department of Transplant Surgery
• (9) Analysis of One-Year Lung Transplant Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Basiliximab Induction Immunosuppression; Department of Transplant Surgery

Ongoing Projects:

• Case Report: Recurrent Endocrine Mucin Producing Sweat Gland Carcinoma | Advisor: Dr. Brian Wong, MD | UTMB Ophthalmology
• Case Report: Orbital Compartment Syndrome Complicated by Stretch Optic Neuropathy | Advisor: Dr. Andrew G. Lee, MD | Houston Methodist Blanton Eye Institute

• UTMB Sealy Center for Aging 2022: Oral poster presentations (1) (2)
• Brown University Neurology and Neurosurgery Research Conference 2023: Oral poster presentations (1) (2)
• Macro code development for Image J analysis for multi-batch processing of immunofluorescence images. I created a function which obtained fluorescence signal intensities from over 500 images, quantified areas of co-localization, and output measurements instantaneously.
• Attendee of the Inaugural WE Summit 2022
• National Student Research Forum at UTMB 2023: Oral poster presentations (4) (9)
• Public Health Symposium hosted by UTMB: Oral poster presentations (5) (8)

St. Vincent's Student Run Free Clinic | Volunteer 2021 - present

• Student-run clinic that provides complimentary medical care for the uninsured in Galveston, Texas
• Obtain focused histories, perform relevant physical examinations, and craft succinct presentations
• Independently develop accurate differentials and treatment plans for a wide range of patients and pathologies

The Kaizen Project | Volunteer 2022 - present

• Non-profit project dedicated to providing meals to low income families in cities across Texas
• Organized the first ever Kaizen 2022 thanksgiving drive in Galveston, TX
• Garnered over $5000 in donations from local restaurants and larger food corporations and hand delivered them to communities in need

UTMB Connect | Site Coordinator 2022

• Non-profit student led initiative with aims to foster STEM interest among underprivileged communities
• Orchestrated weekly interactive sessions at local elementary schools, and oversaw groups of 10-15 medical students in imparting foundational scientific concepts through engaging projects
• Projects included: making ice cream from scratch, building dancing robots, creating functional marble roller coasters, etc.

2021-2022 Term

• Gross Anatomy and Radiology
• Molecules, Cells, and Tissues
• Pathology and Host Defense
• Neuroscience and Human Behavior
• Practice of Medicine 1

2022-2023 Term

• Dermatology/Hematology/Musculoskeletal
• Endocrine and Reproduction
• Gastrointestinal, Digestion, and Nutrition
• Renal and electrolytes
• Cardiovascular and Pulmonology
• Practice of Medicine 2

2023-24 Term

• Psychiatry - Skyview Penitentiary in Rusk, TX
• Ophthalmology Elective - UTMB at Galveston
• Pediatrics - Driscoll Children's Hospital in Corpus Christi, TX
• OBGYN - UTMB at Galveston
• Family Medicine - Georgetown Pediatrics and Family Medicine, TX
• Neurology - UTMB at Galveston
• Surgery - UTMB at Galveston/League City
• Internal Medicine - UTMB at Galveston/League City

• Basketball, Volleyball, and Ultimate Frisbee: I was captain for 6 intramural's basketball teams at UTMB, and won championships in 4 of them. I played collegiate ultimate frisbee at UT Austin. I am a private trainer for basketball skills in my free time.
• Video editing/Drones: I enjoy traveling to national parks and creating YouTube videos of natural landscapes. Notable places visited: Zion, Bryce Canyons, Pink Coral Sand Dunes, Mount Hood, Crater Lake, Mount Bonnell
• Gaming: Valorant, Super Smash Brothers, Halo