Nydia De Avila

NIH Undergraduate Research Assistant
Dr. Travis M. Moschak, The University of Texas at El Paso, United States
01/2024 - 01/2025 (12 months)

• Investigated the salience network's (SN) role in cocaine use through tasks like extinction, progressive ratio, and self-administration.
• Utilized endoscopic calcium imaging to reveal differences in SN activity across behavioral paradigms, contributing to the understanding of addiction.
• Resulted in a publication and poster presentation at the Society for Neuroscience international conference.

UT Southwestern URISE Summer Intern
Dr. Ernesto Llano, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, United States
05/2024 - 08/2024 (3 months)

• Explored cancer cachexia by utilizing CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to manipulate genes linked to muscle wasting in cancer patients.
• Validated six newly engineered cell lines through Western blots and ELISAs, followed by implantation in mice for further study.
• Led to a poster presentation.

Undergraduate Lab Volunteer
Dr. Mahesh Narayan, The University of Texas at El Paso, United States
06/2021 - 12/2021 (6 months)

• Researched carbon nanomaterials (CNMs) for potential applications in disease diagnosis and therapy.
• Enhanced non-invasive diagnostic techniques and improved anti-cancer drug targeting using CNMs.
• Resulted in a publication.

• Awarded $50,000 Johnson & Johnson Grant towards the Limb Savers Non-Profit Society.
• Dean's List, Fall 2021 - Fall 2024, recognized for academic excellence across eight consecutive semesters.
• Trainee Professional Development Award (August 2024) for outstanding professional growth and development in a research trainee role.
• AACR 2024 Best Minority Institution Award (April 2024) for outstanding contributions to cancer research at a minority-serving institution.
• Great Minds in STEM - Second Place Scientific Poster Presentation (October 2023) for presenting a high-quality scientific poster at a national STEM conference.
• LSAMP Scholarship (March 2023) offered to support underrepresented students in STEM fields; declined opportunity.
• Department of Defense (DoD) HBCU/MI Summer Research Internship Program (February 2023) selected for a competitive internship at a Historically Black College/University.
• Ysleta High School Community Service Award (May 2021) honored for dedication to community service during high school.

De Avila, Nydia, Patel, Suhani, Smoak, Marina, and Moschak, Travis. "Relationship Between the Salience Network and Multiple Tests of Drug Motivation." Society for Neruoscience, October 2024.

De Avila, Nydia, Llano, Ernesto, and Infante, Rodney. "Investigating Leukemia Inhibitory Factor in Cell Model." UT Southwestern URISE Summer Internship Program, August 2024.

De Avila Nydia, Cottagiri Merylin, Robinson Tanisha, Bergmann-Leitner Elke. Standardized Serology to Assess Immunity and Vaccine Efficacy. DoD Historically Black Colleges/ Minority Institutions Summer Internship Program. 2023. Aug.

Maria L. Manca, Diana Prospero, Saeedeh Darvishi, Arianna Bandini, Marta Banchi, Paola Orlandi, Hector Padilla, Alejandro Sanchez, Claire E. I. Perucho, Nydia De Avila, Hazel Padilla, Brianna E. Ortega, Ryley D. Stewart, Magdiel Santillan, Valeria Lopez, Robert Kirken, Giacomo Allegrini, Guido Bocci, Giulio Francia. Pharmacodynamic biomarker analysis of gastrointestinal cancer patients treated with metronomic chemotherapy in the Italian COMET Trial. The University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy,The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso. April. 2023.

M.Laiq Raja M.D, Adrianne Valles, Laura Labrado RN,  Serina Batson, Nydia De Avila, Alan Arrieta, Michelle Pineda, Daniel Paez, Giselle Hernandez, Adriana C. Mares,Oscar Hernandez, Luis Fuentes. Deep Vein Arterialization Case: Critical Limb Ischemia Diabetic Foot Ulcer Healed with Novel Skin Graft. El Paso Cardiology Associates, El Paso TX, The Institute of Cardiology at El Paso, El Paso TX. Dec 2022.

Asil SM, Guerrero ED, Bugarini G, Cayme J, De Avila N, Garcia J, Hernandez A, Mecado J, Madero Y, Moncayo F, Olmos R, Perches D, Roman J, Salcido-Padilla D, Sanchez E, Trejo C, Trevino P, Nurunnabi M, Narayan M. Theranostic applications of multifunctional carbon nanomaterials. View (Beijing). 2023 Apr;4(2):20220056. doi: 10.1002/viw.20220056. Epub 2023 Dec 3. PMID: 37426287; PMCID: PMC10328449.

• Vice Chair, Green Fund Committee
  University of Texas at El Paso, 2023 - Present
• Vice President at The University of Texas at El Paso
  SACNAS, 2023 - Present
• Secretary
  American Association of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Society, 2023 - Present
• Founder, Women’s Empowerment Association
  University of Texas at El Paso, 2021

• Clinical Research Assistant
  El Paso Cardiology Associates, 2021 - Present
  Conduct clinical research to support cardiology studies and assist with patient care.
• La Clinica: Refugee Clinic
  December 2022 - Present
  Serve and treat migrants seeking medical care; partnered with physicians and students from Texas Tech Paul L. Foster Medical School.
• El Pasoans Fighting Hunger
  March 2022 - July 2022
  Sorted a variety of foods within the pantry for packaging and distribution at the world's third-largest food bank.