Tristan
Salamanca
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Major: Neuroscience
Research Interest: Stem Cell and Cancer Biology
“The ability to learn and grow with a group of diverse and passionate students who all have different research interests motivates me to stay on top of my game.
WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO THE CSS PROGRAM AND CAROLINA?
What attracted me to CSS and Carolina was the close-knit relationship that I would have with my cohort. The ability to learn and grow with a group of diverse and passionate students who all have different research interests motivates me to stay on top of my game. Carolina is full of academic and social groups that will help me advance my knowledge within science and healthcare.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO EXPERIENCING AT CAROLINA OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS?
I am looking forward to finally getting into Basketball and exploring the surrounding Chapel Hill area. I also wish to learn more about Chapel Hill healthcare systems and eventually become an EMT through Carolina’s ACERIP program.
WHAT RESEARCH TOPIC(S) ARE YOU INTERESTED IN EXPLORING AND WHY?
I am interested in exploring how engineered tissue cells can be used to treat osteoarthritis alongside cancer research surrounding both sarcomas and tumors in the spine. I would like to explore the relationship between using stem cells and other engineered tissue models to treat spina bifida and other spinal disorders. I wish to closely work with UNC’s Biomedical Engineering Department to explore research surrounding nerve regeneration and patient outcomes with prosthetics.
WHAT IS ONE THING YOU HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH IN YOUR FUTURE STEM CAREER?
I wish to obtain an MD/P.h.D and both practice medicine and research about spinal diseases to hopefully find a better method to treat spina bifida and other spinal conditions as a surgeon.