Alexa Morales Arana

Alma Mater: University of California, Davis, B.S., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Matriculation Year: 2022

About Alexa: Alexa was born in Mexico and raised in Riverbank, California after she immigrated to the United States with her family. She went to UC Davis for her undergraduate education where she majored in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Alexa is dedicated to furthering minority health, wellness efforts, and ending health disparities that are so prevalent within communities of color through education, health advocacy, personalized health care, and innovative research. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, crocheting, and exercising.

Research Advisor: Nirali Shah, Sara Silbert

Research Interests:  I want to combine my interest in cancer research and precision medicine to address cancer health disparities among US racial/ethnic minority communities. I am passionate about continuing to target existing gaps in research that will facilitate precision medicine and treatment, improving survival outcomes and disparities seen in underrepresented patient populations.

Why ARC: I chose ARC-MD because I am committed to being a teacher, leader, scholar, and mentor. Additionally, it is critical for me to continue building upon my scientific expertise so that when I tell my patients I am doing everything that I can do for them, I truly mean it. I aspire to use molecular biology techniques for personalized medicine and advance health in people that have been historically excluded from research.”

Publications: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8409-6959