ISAAC VIGIL
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
PhD Candidate
University Of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Aurora, Colorado
08.2024 - Current
- Investigated mechanisms of CAR-T failure in the laboratories of Terry J. Fry MD and Matthew Witkowski.
Research Assistant
University Of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Aurora, Colorado
08.2023 - 08.2024
- Investigated novel mechanisms of lipid uptake via GPCRs in intestines via quantifying free fatty acid and triglyceride levels in serum, liver, and intestines; harvested, prepared, and oil-red-o and hematoxylin & eosin stained murine tissue samples.
- Established and characterized relationship between protein of interest and various lipoproteins via luminescence assay and flow cytometry; performed DNA cloning to investigate mechanisms protein of interest binds lipoproteins. Constructed an assay for screening an extensive protein library for novel small compound-protein binding interactions.
Summer Research Fellow
University of Colorado Cancer Center
Aurora, Colorado
06.2023 - 08.2023
- Determined whether protein of interest is expressed on liver sinusoidal endothelial cells; and if expression differs in metastatic tissue from normal tissue in human and murine tissue samples via rounds of immunohistochemistry staining and flow cytometry.
- Determined whether the protein of interest is expressed on liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, and if expression differs in metastatic tissue from normal tissue in human and murine tissue samples via rounds of immunohistochemistry staining and flow cytometry.
Center for Advanced STEM Education Peer Mentor
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Denver, Colorado
01.2023 - 06.2023
- Assisted in founding/developing peer mentor program for CASE; connected students to resources and supplied designated times to meet with students to improve student navigation of bachelor’s degrees and career readiness.
Research Assistant
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Denver, Colorado
10.2022 - 06.2023
- Handled all components of Zebrafish husbandry and water chemistry to ensure the success of all projects within the Zebrafish lab.
- Conducted rounds of in-situ hybridization to identify gene expression patterns of two previously uncharacterized genes to better understand craniofacial development in Zebrafish.
Waiter/To-Go Specialist
Olive Garden
Littleton, Colorado
09.2018 - 04.2023
Biochemistry Teaching Assisstant
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Denver, Colorado
08.2022 - 12.2022
- Developed relevant course content for biochemistry and guided students in content understanding and study plans; supplied additional instruction to 40+ students outside of scheduled class time.
Sales Associate
Adidas
Lakewood, Colorado
11.2016 - 09.2018
Instructor
Master Yosvany Taekwondo Academy
Denver, Colorado
08.2012 - 07.2016
Education
Bachelor of Science - Biology, Chemistry, Pre-Healthcare
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Denver, CO05-2023
Ph.D. - Immunology
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Aurora, CO05-2026
Manuscripts
- Sun Z, Torphy RJ, Miller EN, Darehshouri A, Vigil I, Terai T, Eleanor E, Sun Y, Guo Y, Fykstra DP, Yee EJ, Hu J, Kedl RM, Lasda EL, Hesselberth JR, Siegenthaler JA, MacLean PS, Bruce KD, Randolph GJ, Schulick RD, Zhu Y. GPR182 is a lipoprotein receptor for dietary fat absorption. J Clin Invest. 2026 Mar 24:e200857. doi: 10.1172/JCI200857. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41874575.
- Dickinson K, Yee EJ, Vigil I, Schulick RD, Zhu Y. GPCRs: emerging targets for novel T cell immune checkpoint therapy. Cancer Immunol Immunother. 2024 Oct 3;73(12):253. doi: 10.1007/s00262-024-03801-7. PMID: 39358616; PMCID: PMC11447192.
- Yee EJ, Vigil I, Sun Y, Torphy RJ, Schulick RD, Zhu Y. Group XIV C-type lectins: emerging targets in tumor angiogenesis. Angiogenesis. 2024 May;27(2):173-192. doi: 10.1007/s10456-024-09907-x. Epub 2024 Mar 12. PMID: 38468017; PMCID: PMC11021320.
Presentations
- Vigil I, Witkowski M, & Fry T, Investigating target intrinsic mechanisms of CAR-T resistance in acute leukemia, American Association of Cancer Research Immuno-oncology, 2026, Los Angeles, CA.
- Vigil I, Witkowski M, & Fry T, Investigating target intrinsic mechanisms of CAR-T resistance in acute leukemia, Annual Colorado Immunology and Microbiology Conference, 2025, Denver, CO.
- Vigil I, Yee E, Zhu Y, Characterization of CD93 and Liver Sinusoidal Endothelial Cells in Liver Metastasis, Cancer Research Experience for Undergraduates, August 3rd, 2023, Denver, CO.
- Vigil I, Lee J, Melvin V, Expression of the macc1 gene during zebrafish development, MSU Denver Annual Undergraduate Research Conference, April 22nd, 2023, Denver, CO.
Accomplishments
- The Paul Sandoval Pancreatic Cancer Research Scholarship Fund Recipient, 2023
- Cancer League of Colorado Grant Recipient, 2023
- Metropolitan State University of Denver Undergraduate Research Conference 3rd Place Poster Award, 2023
- Building Undergraduate Identity Leading to Diversity (NSF Award Number 2150045) Grant Recipient, 2022, 2023
- Rocky Mountain Alliance for Minority Participation (NSF Award Number 2207219) Grant Recipient, 2022, 2023
Affiliations
- Mentor, Clear Direction Mentoring, Aurora, CO, 08/25 - present. Guided mentee through college readiness and STEM programs. Coordinated social and professional development events that strengthened community and collaboration across the mentoring program.
- MSU Denver Chapter Co-Founder/Officer, SACNAS, Denver, CO, 01/23-05/23. Initiated processes and collaboratively worked with peers and faculty to establish the SACNAS organization within MSU Denver; presented at multiple events leading to the addition of new members; attended multiple networking events to bring SACNAS values promoting underrepresented minorities' success in STEM to MSU Denver.
- Rocky Mountain Alliance for Minority Participation Member/Mentor, Metropolitan State University of Denver, Denver, CO, 01/22, 05/23, Connected peers to resources on and off campus within a mentor role; organized, assembled, and participated in various career development workshops.
Timeline
PhD Candidate
University Of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
08.2024 - Current
Research Assistant
University Of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
08.2023 - 08.2024
Summer Research Fellow
University of Colorado Cancer Center
06.2023 - 08.2023
Center for Advanced STEM Education Peer Mentor
Metropolitan State University of Denver
01.2023 - 06.2023
Research Assistant
Metropolitan State University of Denver
10.2022 - 06.2023
Biochemistry Teaching Assisstant
Metropolitan State University of Denver
08.2022 - 12.2022
Waiter/To-Go Specialist
Olive Garden
09.2018 - 04.2023
Sales Associate
Adidas
11.2016 - 09.2018
Instructor
Master Yosvany Taekwondo Academy
08.2012 - 07.2016
Bachelor of Science - Biology, Chemistry, Pre-Healthcare
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Ph.D. - Immunology
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus