Neysha Martínez Orengo, Ph.D.
About Neysha Martínez Orengo, Ph.D.
Neysha Martínez Orengo, Ph.D., is a Postdoctoral IRTA Fellow at the National Institutes of Health, specializing in infectious diseases and HIV-1 neuropathogenesis. She has held various research and mentorship roles in neuroscience and STEM advocacy, contributing to outreach activities for students.
Current Position at National Institutes of Health
Neysha Martínez Orengo, Ph.D., currently serves as a Postdoctoral IRTA Fellow at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). She has held this position since 2020. In her role, she is engaged in advanced research activities, focusing on the validation of fungal imaging ligands to identify biomarkers for clinical molecular imaging applications in infectious diseases. Her work contributes to the NIH's mission to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce illness and disability.
Education and Expertise
Neysha Martínez Orengo earned her Bachelor of Science in General Sciences from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico. She further advanced her education at Ponce Health Sciences University, where she obtained a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences, specializing in Neuro-AIDS. Her academic background provides a strong foundation for her research in infectious diseases and neuropathogenesis.
Professional Experience in Neuroscience
Neysha Martínez Orengo has a diverse background in neuroscience and biomedical research. She was a Neuroscience Scholars Program Alumni at the Society for Neuroscience from 2018 to 2020. Additionally, she participated in the Yale Ciencia Academy as a Fellow from 2016 to 2017. Her experience includes working at the NIH Clinical Center as a Pre-doctoral IRTA Fellow and at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) in various roles, including Postbaccalaureate IRTA.
Involvement in STEM Education and Outreach
Neysha Martínez Orengo is actively involved in developing outreach activities aimed at K-12 and higher education students as a STEAM advocate. She has served as a mentor in the Seeds for Success: STEM Girl Ambassador Program at Ciencia Puerto Rico. Her commitment to education and mentorship reflects her dedication to fostering interest in STEM fields among young students.
Research Focus and Contributions
Neysha Martínez Orengo's research primarily focuses on the TGFβ signaling pathway in the context of HIV-1 Nef neuropathogenesis. Her work aims to advance the understanding of infectious diseases and contribute to the development of clinical applications. She has also worked on projects related to fungal imaging ligands, which are crucial for identifying biomarkers in clinical settings.