Natalia Pastrana Ortiz

Natalia Pastrana Ortiz is a senior undergraduate student majoring in Microbiology at Ana G. Méndez University, Carolina Campus, in Puerto Rico. Throughout her undergraduate career, she has been actively involved in research, student organizations, and community engagement activities. She has also worked in her university’s preparation laboratory, where she gained experience in laboratory operations, media preparation, sterilization procedures, and supporting teaching and research activities.

Her research experience includes environmental microbiology, freshwater microalgae identification, and environmental monitoring of Vibrio and Enterococcus in coastal ecosystems. Natalia has worked on projects focused on isolating and identifying freshwater microalgae from Puerto Rico and studying the relationship between environmental conditions and microbial populations in aquatic environments.

Pastrana also completed an internship with the Puerto Rico Vector Control Unit, where she participated in mosquito surveillance, vector identification, dengue monitoring efforts, and community outreach activities. These experiences strengthened her interest in environmental health, disease prevention, and the interconnectedness of human, animal, and ecosystem health through the One Health approach.

Outside of research, Natalia serves in leadership roles within several student organizations and enjoys caring for her small animal farm. Her long-term goal is to pursue a combined DVM and Ph.D., followed by a postdoctoral fellowship, with the aim of integrating veterinary medicine, environmental health, and research through the One Health framework. Through the MSDT One Health Program, she hopes to gain mentorship, professional development opportunities, and new perspectives that will help guide her future career.

Mentors:
Anuj Tiwari
Alfonso Aranda