Jervaughn Hunter

I am a 4th year Ph.D. candidate in Bioengineering. Growing up in the small town of Port Gibson, MS, I thought the only route to fighting healthcare disparities and curing disease in communities like mine was to become a medical doctor. It was at the University of Alabama at Birmingham where I received my B.S. in Biomedical Engineering that I became fascinated with the concept of using engineering strategies and techniques to heal injuries and treat disease. Here at UC San Diego, I joined the Christman lab and have focused on fabricating a new injectable biomaterial, testing its effects on cardiac progenitor cells in vitro, and evaluating its efficacy in mitigating right ventricular heart failure in preclinical models. Ultimately, it is my goal to obtain the data necessary to translate this therapeutic to the clinics and ultimately improve and save lives. Outside of the lab, I am committed to giving back to underserved communities by making STEM more accessible through outreach initiatives and scholarships. As a scientist, I believe that we have an obligation to the community to be transparent with our processes and communicate clearly and effectively so it is also my goal upon the completion of my degree to work in the biotech industry with a focus on science communication. I'm looking forward to continuing this amazing learning opportunity and I am thankful for the guidance and fellowships that have made it possible.