Barera is a rising junior at Vanderbilt University majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Data Science. Her research interests lie in using genetic and molecular analysis of nervous system tissue to elucidate the pathogenesis of developmental diseases such as Fragile X Syndrome. She has a strong background in single-cell genetics and computational analysis from her work at the University of Pennsylvania's Kim Lab. There, under the HuBMAP Underrepresented Student Internship Program, she conducted research to help generate a molecular atlas of the female reproductive system using various genetic techniques. This summer, she is excited to continue developing her skills in genetics at the Bronner Lab, where she will be characterizing the neural crest cells required in the tail regeneration of a Newt. In the future, Barera hopes to use the skills gained from this program to pursue an MD/PhD in Neurobiology.
