My Journey as a young Computational Research Scientist from Curiosity to Impact: Computational Research in Colorectal Cancer Research and beyond.

Qualifying for ASDRP on merit as a young researcher eager to begin my journey, was a big milestone that filled me with pride. I vividly recall my very first virtual experience as a freshman researcher in Mr. Cunha’s lab, calling across states, wide-eyed, curious, and entirely new to the world of research. I had no prior experience, but I carried with me two things that would matter more than any technical background: determination and curiosity. Those qualities became the foundation of my journey.

Over three years, the lab transformed me. I learned to code in R, dove into bioinformatics tools like NCBI Blast, and analyzed complex genomic datasets. My focus was on studying gut microbiota in colorectal cancer, where I built phylogenetic trees, ran comparative analyses, and created visual models to uncover patterns in genomic relationships. Eventually, I began mentoring newer lab members, helping them navigate the steep learning curve of coding and computational methods.

At 15, I stood on stage at the Southern California Conference for Undergraduate Research (SCUUR) to present our findings. A year later, I spoke at the American Chemical Society’s national conference. Both moments stretched me as a communicator, forcing me to explain intricate computational concepts in ways both experts and non-scientists could understand. Subsequently our Research Team successfully presented at the National conference of undergraduate research (NCUR) 2024, 2025 and at ISMB/ECCB 2023

What began in Mr. Cunha’s lab soon expanded beyond and launched me as an Inventor, Researcher, Founder and Entrepreneur. I have successfully co-founded my startup, pioneering solutions in cutting-edge technology and innovation in AI and Healthcare.