ANA MARIA PORRAS
engineering in vitro disease models to study host-microbe interactions
Welcome!
I am a biomedical engineer with experience in both tissue engineering and the human gut microbiome. Leveraging my unique training, I am developing biomaterials-based models of disease to study how beneficial and pathogenic microorganisms regulate human health. I am also passionate about implementing inclusive strategies to train and support the next generation of STEM professionals. You can often find me engaging with the public in the U.S. and Latin America using my crocheted microbes.
To learn more, check out the links above. Scroll down for recent news and upcoming events.
20
Fri
Mar
Nepris Industry Chat
In this web chat, I will share my journey in immigrating to the U.S. to become a biomedical engineer. This is part of the Nepris IF/THEN Women in STEM Series.
20
Thu
April
SciComm Workshop
In partnership with Graduate Women in Science at Cornell University, I will lead a workshop on using social media for scientific communication. It will take place on Monday, April 20th from 12:00-1:00pm at Mann 200.
19
Tue
May
Workshop at WBC
At the invitation of the Young Scientist Group within the Society for Biomaterials, I will lead a workshop on oral communication at the 11th World Biomaterials Congress in Glasgow, Scotland.
21
Sun
Jun
Symposium at ASM
I will speak at a symposium focused on science communication and art at the ASM Microbe 2020 conference in Chicago, IL. The session is titled "Art + Science: How art can engage audiences and communicate science" and will take place 1:30-4:00pm.
December 3-4, 2019
Visited the University of Georgia
I was invited to be the first speaker in the Diversifying Science Seminar Series organized by Graduate Students Diversifying STEM (GRADS) at the University of Georgia. It was an honor to share my research and lead a discussion for underrepresented trainees.
November 1, 2019
Our latest review is out!
The first paper from my postdoc work in the Brito lab has been published. In it, we discuss the need to truly internationalize microbiome research, which has been mostly centered around American and European populations (only 1/6th of the world's population).
November 2, 2019
Led workshop at SACNAS
Dr. Brian Aguado and I led a very successful session on "How to Communicate your Science in under 3 minutes" at the SACNAS 2019 Conference. Our participants were brave enough to start practicing right away and we all developed new skills.
October 30, 2019
Participated in Leadership Institute
I was selected to participate in the first SACNAS Postdoc Leadership Institute, which took place around the National Diversity in STEM Conference. I had the privilege of meeting wonderful new colleagues and friends. I am proudly now a member of the SACNAS PLI family.
October 21-23, 2019
Had fun at the AAAS IF/THEN Summit
Spent three days in Dallas, TX getting to know the other incredible 124 AAAS IF/THEN Ambassadors. Check out this new story to learn more about the program and read about a fun surprise Lyda Hill philanthropies had for us.
October 16-19, 2019
Presented + LatinXinBME fun at BMES
Had a great time in Philadelphia presenting a poster on my crocheted microbes and sharing my work on "Geographic Differences in Gut Microbiota Composition Affect Susceptibility to Enteric Infection". We also had a great LatinXinBME gathering.