Diego Herrera

Currently I am enrolled at California State University, Channel Islands.  Here I am a studying both Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology.  I am both a licensed Emergency Medical Technician and Phlebotomist.  The totality of my undergraduate endeavors has made me certain that a career in medicine is a path I would enjoy. 

As an undergraduate I have had extensive experience with a wide spectrum of laboratory techniques.  This also includes conducting laboratory protocols in four different research projects, one of which I was published as a contributing author in the 2011 July issue of Molecular Vision.  This research at the Neuroscience Research Institute, in Santa Barbara, concluded nearly four years ago.  

At the 2008 SACNAS Conference, in Salt Lake City, I placed in the top three poster presentations for Vision Research.  My project, 'The Role of Proliferation in Epiretinal Membranes', was also mentioned in an issue of ARVONEWS.

The volunteer programs I have participated have helped individuals both locally and abroad.

'Adventures in Caring', located in Santa Barbara, was an amazing experience which taught me to have compassion for patients.  The mission of this organization is to help elderly residents in assisted-living facilities have more fulfilling lives.  Each week I would dress up as Raggedy Andy, fully dressed in costume and make-up, to speak with residents.  I felt great each time I visited and looked forward to seeing their smiles the following week.

International Service Learning allowed me to be part of a medical team to serve the medical needs of neglected residents in the rural areas of Lima, Peru.  The importance of communication and conducting pertinent exams based on patient responses were vivid.  Sometimes it would be necessary to have two or three translators while conducting interviews.  My responsibilities were similar to a Physician's Assistant, where team members would interview patients, conduct physical exams and routine analytical tests.  Based on our findings, recommendations for treatment would be approved by a supervising doctor.

After I graduate this Spring 2012 I will be completing a one year CLS Training Program.