Cristhian Gutierrez Huerta

P: 414-955-7359 | E: cgutierrez@mcw.edu | L: linkedin.com/in/cghuerta95

Education

Research Experience

Graduate Student, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI | Aug 2020 - Present

• Evaluate mitochondrial fission/fusion in endothelial cells and vasculature in individuals with coronary artery disease and healthy controls
• Isolate human and rodent arterial vessels, cannulate, and investigate physiological function of blood vessels
• Isolate endothelial cells from human cardiac tissue and adipose
• Use statistical methods to evaluate significance of data, to interpret results, and to make informed decisions of future experiments

Research Fellow, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD | Aug 2018-Aug 2020

• Assessed patient’s cardiovascular risk based on various psychosocial and biometric factors with an emphasis on health disparity outcomes of at-risk populations
• Analyzed patient’s blood samples to assess immune system composition using flow cytometry
• Evaluated the role of Natural Killer (NK) cell functionality loss in obese and lean individuals
• Used statistical methods to evaluate significance of data, to interpret results, and to make informed decisions of future experiments
• Presented results at local and national conferences

Research Intern, Joshua Speed Lab, UAB School of Medicine, Alabama | May 2017-Aug 2017

• Performed RNA extractions on adipose tissue from wildtype and genetically modified mice
• Employed Real Time-PCR, analyzed quantitative results, interpreted results
• Presented results and future directions of research at local UAB undergraduate research symposiu and at a national conference
• Shadowed at UAB Hospital through the dialysis unit and nephrology operating room

Research Assistant, David Ardell Lab, UC Merced, CA | Aug 2015-Oct 2016

• Tested accuracy of various phylogenetic classification tools
• Examined tree-mapping of ribosomal RNA as means to classify non-classifiable genomes
• Trained computer software using machine learning techniques

Research Intern, Joint Genome Institute, Walnut Creek, CA | Jun 2015-Aug 2015

• Analyzed various phylogenetic classification tools using a consensus-based model
• Assessed software efficiency, maneuverability, and accuracy
• Presented progress to a group of research professionals for feedback and suggestions on a biweekly basis
• Presented results at local UC Merced undergraduate research symposium and at a state-wide undergraduate conference

Work Experience

Scribe, Scribe America, Inc., Washington, DC | Nov 2018-Mar 2020

• Transcribed subjective and objective information provided by patient and physician into official medical records in the emergency room of Madera Community Hospital
• Ensured all medical records were coded compliant to all state and federal legislation
• Took comprehensive and detailed notes of medical procedures done by physician to verify that patient received an optimum level of care
• Translated for patient/physician in Spanish as needed

Orientation Leader, Bright Success Center, UC Merced, CA | Apr 2018-Aug 2018

• Assisted incoming first year and transfer students as they progress in their academic and career goals
• Presented about my personal collegiate experiences and provided parents/guests with advice on how to help their students be academically successful
• Led workshops aimed to assist students as they transition into collegiate-level coursework
• Facilitated and coordinated team building activities to encourage peer-to-peer relationships

Scribe, Scribe America, Inc., Madera, California | Jan 2018-Aug 2018

• Transcribed subjective and objective information provided by patient and physician into official medical records in the emergency room of Madera Community Hospital
• Ensured all medical records were coded compliant to all state and federal legislation
• Took comprehensive and detailed notes of medical procedures done by physician to verify that patient received an optimum level of care
• Translated for patient/physician in Spanish as needed

Peer Instructor, Bright Success Center, UC Merced, CA | Aug 2018-Dec 2018

• Developed lesson plans and social learning activities with co-peer instructors under supervision of Undergraduate Studies course professor
• Mentored first-year students as they transition from high school to collegiate-level work
• Worked closely with a cohort of 7 students and provided guidance to designated cohort
• Undergraduate studies is a transitionary student success course. Covered topics such as: money management, emotional intelligence, time management, and successful academic habits

Lead TRiO SSS Fellow, STEP Scholars Program, UC Merced, CA | May 2017-May 2018

• Assisted in the selection and training of new fellows
• Managed and coordinated shifts for all TRiO Fellows
• Organized, planned, and executed student excursion trips while ensuring safety for all students and employees
• Acted in place of supervisor in case of absence
• Performed all of the same duties as a TRiO SSS Fellow (see below)

TRiO SSS Fellow, STEP Scholars Program, UC Merced, CA | Jan 2017-May 2017

• Mentored students individually to assist with major declaration and career exploration
• Met with students individually to establish both personal and professional goals
• Planned, coordinated, and executed social and career-development events
• Tracked student involvement and participation in the STEP Scholars Program for respective cohort
• Conducted outreach presentations about program and resources

Academic Scholar, Fiat Lux Scholars Program, UC Merced, CA | Aug 2015-Dec 2016

• Assisted first-generation college students transition to the college environment
• Monitored Fiat Lux study sessions and ensured all students were on task
• Provided academic support regarding homework, classwork, and general university procedures
• Facilitated and organized various social events aimed at assisting students to form strong intercollegiate relationships with their peers.

Volunteer Experience

Outreach Volunteer, Hispanics for School Choice (HSC), Milwaukee, WI | July 2020-Present

• Promote School Choice to low-income families – a state-wide program that allows individuals of low income to attend private school tuition-free
• Translate outreach documents in Spanish for HSC, a non-profit organization
• Assist and organize community-wide events

Volunteer Research Fellow, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD | Aug 2020-Dec 2021

• Analyze clinical data using statistical methods and software
• Provide guidance and teach new lab members lab techniques and tools
• Assist in manuscript preparation and submissions
• Help in data evaluation, interpretation of results, and experimental design

Medical Student Mentor, Refugee Mentorship Program, Milwaukee WI | Oct 2020-Oct 2021

• Mentor a recently immigrated refugee family throughout their transition to the United States
• Provide resources for transportation, English as a second language classes, and general everyday life necessities
• Answer general questions about Life in Provide advice and guidance

Leadership

Policy & Academic Affairs Chair, LMSA Midwest Region | Mar 2022 - present

• Meet with other leaders in the LMSA Midwest region and ensure that organizations’ and regions’ goals are being met
• Partner with LMSA National and the National Hispanic Medical Association to create and advocate for legislation to advance health equity in minority populations
• Select abstracts provided by students to present work (either in poster or oral formats) during regional LMSA conference

Co-President, BNGAP, Medical College of Wisconsin, WI | Mar 2022 - present

• Building a New Generation of Academic Physicians (BNGAP) is an organization focused on increasing the diversity of academic Its focus is to prepare medical students to become competitive and prepared academic medical physicians.
• Organized and led events focused on CV development, manuscript preparation, and oral presentation skills building.

Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee, APSA | Jan 2022 - present

• JEDI committee member for the American Physician Scientists Association (APSA)
• Assist with the JEDI’s and APSA’s goals to increase diversity of the physician-scientist workforce
• Led pairing matches for mentors and mentees for the Virtual Summer Research Program (VSRP)

Undergraduate Mentoring Chair, LMSA, Medical College of Wisconsin, WI | Mar 2021-Mar 2022

• Organize events for pre-medical students to become better familiar with the medical school process and career path
• Relay information with undergraduate pre-medical organizations in Wisconsin, especially those aimed at increasing URM representation in medicine and healthcare
• Facilitate student-led panels and present at undergraduate pre-medical organizations meetings on topics such as: writing a personal statement, asking for a letter of reference, and how to get involved in research
• Worked alongside the Office of Student Inclusion and Diversity and the Office of

Member, Board of Directors, Alumni Association, UC Merced, CA | May 2020 - Present

• Assist on the "Connections and Mentorship" Committee for the Alumni Association with a focus on increasing diversity in medical and graduate school applicant pool
• Provide input for university executive leadership team on campus-wide initiatives
• Mentor undergraduate students who are planning on applying to medical and graduate school
• Organize networking sessions between alumni and undergraduate students

President, Professional Fraternity Council, UC Merced | Apr 2017-Apr 2018

• Held professional organizations accountable for campus policies and regulations
• Represented organizations and their correspondent student membership to campus staff, faculty, and administration
• Mediated internal conflict and encouraged cross-campus collaboration

President, Kappa Sigma Fraternity, UC Merced, CA | Apr 2016-Apr 2017

• Oversaw twenty-three chairmen in an organization of 80 members and provided them with mid- semester checkpoints, feedback, and advice for improvement
• Acted and served as the head liaison between the organization membership, campus administration, and international headquarters
• Enhanced current projects and jumpstarted new initiatives

Publications

• Gutierrez-Huerta CA, Turner BS, Claudel SE, et al. LDL associates with pro-inflammatory monocyte subset differentiation and increases in chemokine receptor profile expression in African Americans. Int J Cardiol. 2022;358:88-93. doi:10.1016/j.ijcard.2022.04.038
• Tamura K, Curlin K, Neally SJ … Gutierrez-Huerta CA, et Geospatial Analysis of Neighborhood Environmental Stress in Relation to Biological Markers of Cardiovascular Health and Health Behaviors in Women: Protocol for a Pilot Study. JMIR Res Protoc. 2021;10(7):e29191. Published 2021 Jul 22. doi:10.2196/29191
• Farmer N, Gutierrez-Huerta CA, Turner BS, et Neighborhood Environment Associates with Trimethylamine-N-Oxide (TMAO) as a Cardiovascular Risk Marker. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Apr 18;18(8):4296. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18084296. PMID: 33919545; PMCID: PMC8072883.
• Powell-Wiley TM, Dey AK, … Gutierrez-Huerta CA, et al. Chronic Stress-Related Neural Activity Associates With Subclinical Cardiovascular Disease in a Community-Based Cohort: Data From the Washington, D.C. Cardiovascular Health and Needs Assessment. Front Cardiovasc Med. 2021 Mar 10;8:599341. doi: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.599341. PMID: 33778019; PMCID: PMC7988194.
• Schwartz DM, Kitakule MM, Dizon BL, Gutierrez-Huerta CA, et al. Systematic evaluation of nine monogenic autoinflammatory diseases reveals common and disease-specific correlations with allergy-associated features. Ann Rheum Dis. 2021 Feb 22:annrheumdis-2020-219137. doi: 1136/annrheumdis-2020-219137. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33619160.
• Tamura K, Vijayakumar NP, Troendle JF, … Gutierrez-Huerta CA, Islam R, et Multilevel mobile health approach to improve cardiovascular health in resource-limited communities with Step It Up: a randomised controlled trial protocol targeting physical activity. BMJ Open. 2020 Dec 21;10(12):e040702. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-040702. PMID: 33371027; PMCID: PMC7754642.
• Baumer Y, Weatherby TM, Mitchell BI, … Gutierrez-Huerta CA, et al. Hiding in plain sight - platelets, the silent carriers of HIV-1. Platelets. 2020 Nov 23:1-5. doi: 1080/09537104.2020.1849606. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33222575.
• Andrews MR, Ceasar J, Tamura K, … Baumer Y, Gutierrez Huerta CA, et al. Neighborhood environment perceptions associate with depression levels and cardiovascular risk among middle- aged and older adults: Data from the Washington, DC cardiovascular health and needs Aging Ment Health. 2020 Jul 21:1-12. doi: 10.1080/13607863.2020.1793898. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 32691611.
• Baumer Y, Dey AK, Gutierrez-Huerta CA, Khalil NO, Sekine Y, et Hyperlipidaemia and IFNgamma/TNFalpha Synergism are associated with cholesterol crystal formation in Endothelial cells partly through modulation of Lysosomal pH and Cholesterol homeostasis. EBioMedicine. 2020 Sep;59:102876. doi: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2020.102876. Epub 2020 Jul 6. PMID: 32646751; PMCID: PMC7502673.
• Baumer Y, Gutierrez-Huerta CA, Saxena A, Dagur PK, et Immune cell phenotyping in low blood volumes for assessment of cardiovascular disease risk, development, and progression: a pilot study. J Transl Med. 2020 Jan 17;18(1):29. doi: 10.1186/s12967-020-02207-0. PMID: 31952533; PMCID: PMC6966880.

Posters, Presentations, and Submitted Abstracts

• Cristhian Gutierrez Huerta, Andreas Beyer. DRP1 modulates vascular endothelial function. Physiology Seminar, Medical College of Wisconsin. Milwaukee, WI. August 2022.
• Cristhian A. Gutierrez-Huerta, Shelby Hader, Jason E. Beare, Evan Tracy, Kate Astbury, Elizabeth R. Jacobs, Amanda LeBlanc, David D. Gutterman, Andreas M. Beyer. Examining the role of Drp1 in age-related microvascular dysfunction. Experimental Biology. Philadelphia, PA. April 2022. *Invited Talk*
• Cristhian Gutierrez Huerta, Shelby Hader, David D. Gutterman, Andreas M. Beyer. Drp1 is a crucial regulator of age-dependent microvascular dysfunction. Latino Medical Student Association Regional & National Conference. Chicago, IL and Philadelphia, PA. February & March 20222.
• Cristhian A. Gutierrez Huerta, Shelby Hader, Jason E. Beare, Evan Tracy, Kate Astbury, Elizabeth R. Jacobs, Amanda J. LeBlanc, David D. Gutterman, Andreas M. Beyer. Mitochondrial networking in the endothelium plays a crucial role in age-dependent microvascular Medical College of Wisconsin Cardiovascular Center Retreat. December 2021.
• Cristhian A. Gutierrez Huerta, Valerie M. Mitchell, Billy S Collins, Yvonne Baumer, Tiffany M. Powell-Wiley. LDL drives pro-inflammatory monocyte subset differentiation and increases chemokine profile expression in African American Women. National Institutes of Health Postbac Poster Bethesda, MD. April 2020.
• Cristhian Gutierrez Huerta, Quan Yu, Valerie Mitchell, Billy Collins, Amit K. Dey, Martin Playford, Nehal N Mehta, Yvonne Baumer, Tiffany M. Powell-Wiley. LDL-induced changes in monocyte populations and CCR2 expression profile as a potential contributor to CVD risk in African Americans. American Heart Association Scientific Sessions. Philadelphia, PA. November 2019.
• Cristhian Gutierrez Huerta, Amit K. Dey, Valerie Mitchell, Quan Yu, Martin P. Playford, Nehal N. Mehta, Yvonne Baumer, Tiffany M. Powell-Wiley. LDL-induced pro-inflammatory monocyte subset differentiation might be a potential drive for increased CVD in African Americans. Gordon Research Conferences: Atherosclerosis. Newry, Maine. June 2019.
• Yvonne Baumer, Amit Dey, Yusuke Sekine, Gregory E. Sanda, Cristhian A. Gutierrez-Huerta, Noor Khalil, Howard S. Kruth, Martin P. Playford, Tiffany M. Powell-Wiley, Nehal N. Mehta. IFN and TNF synergistically accelerate endothelial cholesterol crystal formation in part by increasing lysosomal pH. Gordon Research Conferences: Atherosclerosis. Newry, ME. June 2019.
• Cristhian A Gutierrez-Huerta, Yvonne Baumer, Ankit Saxena, Pradeep Dagur, Quan Yu, Valerie Mitchell, Billy Collins, Martin P. Playford, Nehal N. Mehta, J. Philip McCoy, Tiffany M. Powell-Wiley. A flow cytometry approach to characterize hematologic cell populations. National Heart Lung, and Blood Institute Research Festival.
• Yvonne Baumer, Cristhian Gutierrez-Huerta, Valerie Mitchell, Amit K. Dey, Quan Yu, Joniqua N. Caesar, Marcus R. Andrews1, Steven D. Langerman, Kosuke Tamura, Billy S. Collins, Nehal N. Mehta, Tiffany M. Powell-Wiley. Socioeconomic Status Modulates the Relationship between Dopamine and Endothelial Cell Lysosomal Function potentially accelerating Cholesterol Crystal Formation. National Heart Lung, and Blood Institute Research Festival.
• Cristhian Gutierrez Huerta, Yvonne Baumer, Tiffany M. Powell-Wiley. Linking social science research methods with traditional wet-lab techniques to address cardiovascular health disparities. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Research Festival.
• Cristhian A. Gutierrez Huerta, Ana Sogorvic, Joshua Speed. High salt intake alters ETB receptor expression in visceral adipose. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases Kidney, Urology, and Hematology Summer
• Cristhian A. Gutierrez Huerta, Jeff Froula, Zhong Wang. New life lineages using a consensus-based supervised machine learning approach. University of California LSAMP Scholars Conference.

Speaking Engagements

• Ni De Aqui Ni De Alla: The Bicultural LatinX Experience in Medicine, Kaleidoscope, Office of Student Inclusion and Diversity, Medical College of Wisconsin
• LMSA’s Efforts to Combat Vaccine Hesitancy in the Milwaukee Latinx Community, Milwaukee NPR, Nov 30, 2021
• Medical School Application Webinar, Central Valley Scholars, Fresno, CA, July 10, 2021
• A day in the life of an MD/PhD Student, Augustine Preparatory High School, Milwaukee, WI, June 3, 2021
• Writing a Personal Statement, Latino Medical Student Association Medical Application Seminar, Milwaukee, WI, May 1, 2021
• Medical Student Panel, PALMA at Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, April 28, 2021
• Applying to MD/PhD Programs, Yosemite Valley Pre-Health Conference, Merced, CA, April 24, 2021

Academic Fellowships

• William Townsend Porter Pre-Doctoral Fellowship | American Physiological Society | Aug 2022-Aug 2023
• United Health Foundation Diverse Medical Scholars Program | National Medical Fellowships | Dec 2021-Jun 2022
• Medical Scientist Training Program T32 | National Institute of General Medical Sciences | July 2020-August 2028
• Helena O. Mishoe Fellowship for Underrepresented Scientists | National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Office of Education | March 2018 - November 2020
• Data-Enabled Science and Computational Analysis Research Training | National Science Foundation | May 2014-August 2017
• Undergraduate Research Mentoring Program for Computational Biology Research| National Science Foundation | May 2016-August 2017
• California Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Award | National Science Foundation | May 2015-August 2015
• Mathematics and Physical Science Program | National Science Foundation | August 2013-December 2015

Awards

• Altruistic Academician Award | Medical College of Wisconsin Student Assembly | April 2022
• Martin Frank Diversity Travel Award | American Physiological Society | February 2022
• Ramirez Family Foundation Scholarship | Ramirez Family Foundation |January 2021
• Outstanding Poster Award | National Institutes of Health | April 2020
• Carl Storm Underrepresented Minority Fellowship | Gordon Conferences Board of Trustees | May 2019
• Inspirational Bobcat Award Finalist | UC Merced Leadership Center | April 2018
• NIDDK Undergraduate Symposium Travel Scholarship | UAB Division of Nephrology | Aug 2017
• Organization President of the Year Award | UC Merced Leadership Center | April 2017
• Social Chapter of the Year Award | UC Merced Leadership Center | April 2017
• Scholarship-Leadership Award | Kappa Sigma Fraternity Headquarters | December 2016
• CAMP Research Symposium Special Merit Plaque Award for Undergraduate Research in Biological Sciences | UC CAMP Research Symposium | April 2016
• Deans Honors Award | UC Merced Office of the Chancellor| 2013, May 2014, Dec. 2014, May 2015, and May 2018
• SACNAS Conference Travel Award | SACNAS Travel Scholarship Committee | 2015

Professional Associations & Memberships

• North American Vascular Biology Organization (2021 - present)
• The Microcirculatory Society (2021 - present)
• American Physiological Society (2020 - present)
• National Hispanic Medical Association (2020 - present)
• Latino Medical Student Association (2020 - present)
• American Heart Association (2018 - present)
• University of California, Merced Alumni Association (2018 - present)
• American Association for Cancer Research (2016 - present)
• American Physician Scientists Association (2016 - present)
• Order of Omega Honors Society (2016-2018)
• Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (2015 - present)
• Kappa Sigma Fraternity (2015 - present)
• Phi Delta Epsilon Medical Fraternity (2015 - present)

Other Professional Involvements & Activities

• Student Council Member, Wisconsin American College of Physicians (ACP),
• Junior Reviewer, Journal of Translational Medicine, Sep 2021 - Present
• Public Relations Chair, LMSA at the Medical College of Wisconsin, Mar 2021-Mar 2022

Non-Peer-Reviewed Articles

• Cristhian A. Gutierrez-Huerta. Two Years Later, MCW Reflects on COVID-19: Cristhian Huerta Gutierrez. MCW Stories. Medical College of Wisconsin. Mar 2022.
• Cristhian A. Gutierrez-Huerta, Raquel Valdes. Employment status disparities during the COVID-19 pandemic may exacerbate preexisting LGBTQ health disparities. Med InQuery Journal. LGBT People in Medicine Organization. Medical College of Wisconsin. May 2021.
• Cristhian A. Gutierrez-Huerta. Is the interview an equitable process? Why first gen’s struggle and some advice that is often unshared. Online: LinkedIn. Account: cghuerta95. Sep 2020.
• Cristhian A. Gutierrez-Huerta. The Importance of Being Career-Driven in College. Online: LinkedIn. Account: cghuerta95. Nov 2018.

Experience Abroad

English Teaching Assistant, ISA Company, Tokyo, Japan | June 2014-August 2014

• Formal Internship while studying abroad at the International Christian University in Tokyo, Japan from June 2014-December 2014
• Taught and led class discussion under professor supervision
• Engaged students in active and casual conversation
• Reviewed proper English spelling, punctuation, and grammar
• Participated in homestay program to gain a better understanding of Japanese culture