Welcome to my personal page!
I’m a Nanoengineer with a deep passion for Salsa and Bachata dancing. When I’m not exploring the applications of nanotechnology in medicine, you can find me on the dance floor embracing the vibrant rhythms of Latin music. Learn a little bit more about me and my interests!
Nanomedicine Research
As a child, I was inspired by “The Magic School Bus.” After watching an episode where the bus shrank to microscopic proportions so the students could explore the inside of a sick classmate’s body, I became fascinated with studying and developing “nanorobots.”
Fast forward to today, I run a research lab at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) that specializes in nanomedicine. We leverage nanoparticle technology—think extremely small spheres—to deliver drugs more specifically and manipulate the immune system in our quest to make a meaningful impact on human health.
From those early inspirations to now, I feel fortunate to be one of the few people who can say they’re doing almost exactly what they dreamed of as a kid.
Looking ahead, I see significant opportunities to marry my field of study with artificial intelligence and machine learning. By combining these disciplines, I believe we are on the cusp of groundbreaking discoveries that could alleviate many types of human suffering that are all too common today. If you have any ideas, let’s talk!
Learn MoreFast forward to today, I run a research lab at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) that specializes in nanomedicine. We leverage nanoparticle technology—think extremely small spheres—to deliver drugs more specifically and manipulate the immune system in our quest to make a meaningful impact on human health.
From those early inspirations to now, I feel fortunate to be one of the few people who can say they’re doing almost exactly what they dreamed of as a kid.
Looking ahead, I see significant opportunities to marry my field of study with artificial intelligence and machine learning. By combining these disciplines, I believe we are on the cusp of groundbreaking discoveries that could alleviate many types of human suffering that are all too common today. If you have any ideas, let’s talk!
Dance Journey
I started dancing Salsa on a whim in 2015 after a friend returned from Irvine and mentioned that his sister had taken him and his mom out to a club. This sparked something in me; I thought it would be a great way to meet people (and let’s be honest, women too). I began taking lessons and joined performance teams around San Diego. After burning out, I took a two-year hiatus, but in 2019 I joined Melómano, whom I now consider my second family.
Even though I felt like I was improving, there was a missing piece: I couldn’t bring myself to social dance. The thought of asking someone to dance and being responsible for leading left me frozen and terrified, stirring up self-doubt rooted in my perfectionist personality. Finally, at the end of 2022, I resolved to overcome this fear. I forced myself to go out several times a week; initially, each dance felt scarier than performing a routine in front of a crowded room.
Around mid-2023, something clicked. I found myself enjoying social dancing and actually looking forward to nights out. Since then, I’ve danced around the world, met amazing people, and made meaningful connections that I hope will last a lifetime.
I’m forever grateful that I stuck it out, as dance now brings me immense joy. If you ever see me on the dance floor, don’t hesitate to ask for a dance! I’m always looking to improve—whether it’s Salsa, Bachata, West Coast Swing, or Urban Kiz—so drop me a message if you’re motivated to level up your dancing and want to practice (any level). Be warned, though: I’m highly analytical by nature and will point out when things don’t feel right (and I hope you’ll do the same with me). But I think you’ll also find that I’m incredibly encouraging as long as you’re willing to put in the work.
Drop me a message! Hope to see you on the dance floor 🙂
Even though I felt like I was improving, there was a missing piece: I couldn’t bring myself to social dance. The thought of asking someone to dance and being responsible for leading left me frozen and terrified, stirring up self-doubt rooted in my perfectionist personality. Finally, at the end of 2022, I resolved to overcome this fear. I forced myself to go out several times a week; initially, each dance felt scarier than performing a routine in front of a crowded room.
Around mid-2023, something clicked. I found myself enjoying social dancing and actually looking forward to nights out. Since then, I’ve danced around the world, met amazing people, and made meaningful connections that I hope will last a lifetime.
I’m forever grateful that I stuck it out, as dance now brings me immense joy. If you ever see me on the dance floor, don’t hesitate to ask for a dance! I’m always looking to improve—whether it’s Salsa, Bachata, West Coast Swing, or Urban Kiz—so drop me a message if you’re motivated to level up your dancing and want to practice (any level). Be warned, though: I’m highly analytical by nature and will point out when things don’t feel right (and I hope you’ll do the same with me). But I think you’ll also find that I’m incredibly encouraging as long as you’re willing to put in the work.
Drop me a message! Hope to see you on the dance floor 🙂
Web Design
I grew up around computers, and one of my earliest memories is playing pinball on my parents’ old 386. Even though I started programming as a kid, it was always more of a hobby than a potential career path. I often tell people that my friend and I came up with an early version of Groupon in high school—we called it Tustin Central—before Groupon even existed. That idea didn’t pan out, but I’ve always found myself returning to the world of computers from time to time.
Recently, I started designing WordPress websites for friends and people who mean a lot to me. Although—perhaps thankfully—there’s little programming involved, it has provided a nice creative outlet. I’ve enjoyed tinkering with various designs and plugins, as well as learning about search engine optimization (SEO) to maximize website traffic. It’s just a hobby, though; I do the work for free and have no plans to make a career change any time soon.
