CURRICULUM VITAE
Claudia A. Soto
Graduate Student in Human Pathophysiology and Translational Medicine (HPTM) Program
301 University Blvd
Galveston TX, 77555
Citizenship: USA
Phone Number: 832-247-7833
Email: clasoto@UTMB.EDU
EDUCATION:
2012- Present
May 2012
Doctoral Student, Human Pathophysiology and Translational Medicine,
University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, GPA: 3.724
Bachelor of Science, Biochemistry and Cell Biology
Rice University, Houston, TX GPA: 3.14, GRE: Verbal 156, Quantitative 157
PROFESSIONAL WORK HISTORY AND TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2012-Present
Doctoral Student and Graduate Research Assistant
Participated in extensive interprofessional teams including problem-based learning
sessions with School of Medicine students in the Translational Research Track.
During these sessions relevant topics to human disease were discussed in the
context of clinical and basic science. Written three R21 style grant proposals as
part of HPTM course work; the first proposal aimed at developing a novel assay
for the identification of stem cell differentiation stage to yield increased efficacy
for stem cells based clinical therapies; the second proposal proposed a novel
chimeric animal model for stroke research in which human brain cells are present
in rodent model to enhance the study of human pathophysiology of stroke; the third
proposal was a product of an interprofessional collaboration with another HPTM
student and a School of Medicine student in which we proposed a refined diagnosis
of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder based on behavioral and molecular
profiles in an effort to reduced variability and subjectability of current clinical
diagnosis. Translational research rotation in Dr. Nicola Abate’s lab in
collaboration with Dr. Taglialetela within the metabolic syndrome and obesity
multidiscipilary translational team. My project focused on producing preliminary
data for R01 grant proposing that changes in peripheral fatty acid profile and
metabolism impact lipid profile in the CNS which alters amyloid beta binding to
synaptic membranes and could lead to development of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Translational research rotation in Dr. Kathyrn Cunningham’s lab. My project
focused on elucidating biased-agonist signaling of the serotonin 2C receptor.
2010-2011
Teacher Assistant, Biochemistry and Cell Biology department at Rice
University
Teacher assistant for the introductory biology courses I and II. Responsible for
leading a weekly student group discussion concerning topics relevant to the course
throughout the semester; grading student responses and participation as well as
ensuring the students fully comprehended the information in the discussion topics.
May-Aug/2010 Clinical intern, Neurology Clinic UT Medical School and Memorial
Hermann Hospital, Houston Texas
Internship with various Doctors in the area of Neurology, Neurosurgery and
Cardiology of UT-Houston and Memorial Hermann Hospital
I received training from several doctors specialized in various fields including
neuromuscular diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, stroke, Parkinson’s
disease, pediatric cardiology and general neurologists. I observed various
procedures including EMGs, EEGs, muscle biopsies, electrodes implantations, inpatient and out-patient procedures and brain surgery.
May-Aug/2009 Research Intern, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Houston Texas
Reprogramming of human adult skin cells into inducible pluripotent stem cells.
Research focused on the use of inducible pluripotent stem cells (iPS) as a treatment
for Neurodegenerative diseases. The research included reprogramming patient’s
skin cells using viruses expressing transcription factors, followed by the detailed
characterization of the cells and establishment of protocols to differentiate iPS into
neurons. I was in charge of maintaining and passaging the skin fibroblasts;
maintaining, isolating and characterizing colonies of iPS; as well as preparing the
virus that was used to reprogram cells. I learned many laboratory techniques
related to cell culture, molecular biology, virology and neurosciences.
May-Aug/2008 Research Intern, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
Development of a novel approach for Alzheimer’s disease treatment using
Nanotechnology
Research focused on the production and characterization of peptide-coated gold
nanoparticles for the specific removal of cerebral amyloid plaques. Gold
nanoparticles were covered with a peptide which targeted them to the toxic
amyloid plaques responsible for brain damage. Once the nanoparticles bound to
the plaques, they would be irradiated with laser which would cause them to release
localized heat, leading to break up the amyloid plaques. During this training I was
involved in the preparation and characterization of the nanoparticles, surgical
implantation in the mice brain, histological analysis of the tissue and microscopic
examination of the results.
PRESENTATIONS
Soto, C.A; Anastasio N.C; Swinford- Jackson S.E; Hartely R.M.;. Fox R. G.; Du H.C; Gilbertson S.R.;
Cunningham K.A.. (2014). Targeting protein-protein interactions to develop novel serotonergic
pharmacotherapeutics. Poster presentation at the 2014 Austin Translational Neuroscience
Symposium.
Soto, C.A; Anastasio N.C; Swinford- Jackson S.E; Hartely R.M.;. Fox R. G.; Du H.C; Gilbertson S.R.;
Cunningham K.A.. (2014). Targeting protein-protein interactions to develop novel serotonergic
pharmacotherapeutics. Poster presentation at the 76th Annual Meeting, College on Problems of
Drug Dependence.
Soto, C.A; Anastasio N.C; Hartely R.M.; Fox R. G.;.Du H.C; Gilbertson S.R.; Cunningham K.A.. (2014).
Targeting protein-protein interactions to develop novel serotonergic pharmacotherapeutics. Poster
presentation at the 2014 Clinical and Translational Research Forum. University of Texas Medical
Branch.
Borgfeld, N; Senseney E; Soto-De La Cerda, C.A. (2013) Refining the diagnosis of Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder. Poster presentation at Medical Student Summer Research Program.
University of Texas Medical Branch.
Soto-De La Cerda, C.A.; Gonzalez-Romero, D.; Davis, B. (2009) Reprogramming adult skin fibroblast
into inducible pluripotent stem cells. Oral presentation at the Summer Undergraduate Research
Program. University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Graduate School for Biomedical
Sciences.
Soto-De La Cerda, C.A.; Lasagna-Reeves, C.; Morales, R.; Soto, C. (2008) Treating Alzheimer’s
disease by Nanotechnology. Poster presentation at the Summer Undergraduate Research Program.
University of Texas Medical Branch.
FUNDING
 NIDA T32 Trainee (DA07287) through the Center for Addiction Research at University of
Texas Medical Branch. Awarded September 2013.
HONORS AND AWARDS

Award for best neuroscience research project at the Summer Undergraduate Research Program,
2008. Awarded by the American Society of Neuroscience (Houston chapter).
 Sigma XI Associate Member
 HOPE scholarship from Project Joy and Hope in 2008
COMMUNITY SERVICE
April 2013
Medical mission to Laredo, TX
UTMB School of Medicine, School of Health Professions and School of Nursing
organized a student- run medical mission trip to Laredo TX in which we set up a
temporary free clinic in the area for the underserved population of the area. My
role was to serve as translator for the Hispanic population as well as aid in
communication between patients and medical personnel.
2009-2012
English as a Second Language Tutor and College Representative
ESL is a student run program which helps university custodial and kitchen staff
members improve their English. The program consists of one-on-one tutoring with
learner on a weekly basis as well as group tutoring once a week. The role of college
representatives involves getting other students involved in the program and pairing
them with a learner, ensuring they conduct their weekly lesson, and providing any
material or resource they may need.
May-Aug 2011 Christian Summer Reading Program
This program aspires to improve Hispanic children’s English reading and
conversation skills throughout the summer months so they do not fall behind
children raised in English-speaking households.
SKILLS
Bilingual: Fluent in English and Spanish