Raysa Rivera

Dedicated and driven aspiring physician with a strong foundation in biotechnology and neuroscience. Passionate about public service and community involvement, highlighted through volunteer work. Eager to contribute meaningfully to the medical field through compassionate care, scientific discovery, and lifelong learning.

Research Intern at Waisman Center and Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2024- – 2025)

Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program. Analyze and characterize the morphological changes in neuronal dendrites and synaptic connections in Down Syndrome by optimizing Golgi staining techniques.

• Image J and Reconstruct Software
• Vibratome Sectioning
• Optimizing Golgi-Cox and Rapid Golgi
• Cell culture: Isolating Neurons, neural progenitor cells, fibroblast
• Culturing: Stem cells, organoids and viral tranduction
• RNA isolation
• Westen Blot

Undergraduate Research Intern at Waisman Center and Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2023-05 – 2023-08)

Biological Interactions Summer Research Experience. Investigate the expression of CBLN2 gene during cortical development in Down syndrome and aged-matched control tissue.

• Brain tissue sectioning by using Cryostat techniques
• Proper use on Confocal Microscope
• Managed Fiji imaging Software

Undergraduate Research Intern at Universidad Ana G. Méndez (UAGM-Carolina) (2022-06 – 2022-07)

Summer Research Experience Program. Explore gender differences in adults with anxiety while performing executive function tasks.

• Managed fNIRS (Functional Near-Infrared Stereoscopy) equipment
• Learned data Analysis using Nirx Lab system

Undergraduate Research Intern at Universidad Ana G. Méndez (UAGM-Carolina) (2021-06 – 2021-07)

Summer Research Experience Program – RETREATT (REaching Technology and REsearch Abilities in Talented sTudent). Environmental Microbiology research.

• Learned laboratory and research techniques, formulated hypotheses, analyzed results, and drew conclusions
• Completed 20hrs of Bioinformatics training
• R studio Software
• Conducted recreational water sampling to assess for fecal pollution

Undergraduate Research Intern at Dr. García Rinaldi Foundation (2020-05 – 2020-08)

Summer Program for Talented Students in Medicine, Science and High School. Cancer research and clinical experience.

• Virtual clinical rotations on diferent specialties
• Attended seminars and received mentoring from different physicians including Dr. García Rinaldi
• Prepared a written report on how to keep our environment safe in collaboration with the non-profit organization Grupo Tortuguero 7 Quillas de San Juan, whose mission is to raise awareness about the presence of marine life in danger of extinction and the importance of reefs and beaches that protect coastal communities
• Practice review paper: Brain metastasis: the enemy of our society and daily life

Standardized Patient at San Juan Bautista School of Medicine (2026-01)

• Simulated real patient cases for medical students to practice clinical and communication skills
• Provided structured feedback on students' history-taking, empathy, and professionalism
• Accurately portrayed medical conditions and emotional states based on case scripts
• Collaborated with faculty to support clinical skills training and assessment

Volunteer - Preventive Medicine at Hima San Pablo Hospital (2023-12)

• Assisted healthcare professionals in conducting confidential patient assessments identify symptoms related to HIV and other sexual infections
• Interpersonal and communication skills
• Assisted healthcare professionals in conducting patient examinations
• Actively practiced infection control measures

Volunteer - Gynecology at Ashford Presbyterian Hospital Community (2023-11)

• Patient Care
• Nurse assistance

Voluntary Work - Family Care at Salus (2023-05)

• Career guidance
• Patient care
• Proper stethoscope techniques

Future Clinicians - Surgical Rotations at Professional Hospital Guaynabo (2022-08 – 2022-12)

Shadow Clinics. Observed many procedures.

• Doppler ultrasound
• Angiogram
• Arteriogram
• Skin grafts
• Venous bypass surgery
• Debriments
• Trombectomy and others

Volunteer in Laboratory Preparation at Universidad Ana G. Méndez (UAGM-Carolina) (2022-02 – 2022-05)

• Fungus culture
• Bacteria culture
• Culture media
• Cryopreservation technique

Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology – Universidad Ana G. Méndez, Carolina campus (UAGM-Carolina) (2020-05 – 2024-05)

Accelerated college credit in Dual-enrollment Program – Universidad Ana G. Méndez, Carolina campus (UAGM-Carolina) (2018-05 – 2020-05)