MD Candidate
St. George's University School of Medicine
Expected 2028.
CV
Frank Ureña
PhD, Molecular Biosciences & Bioengineering · MD Candidate, expected 2028 · Physician-scientist training trajectory.
4Peer-reviewed publications
2First-author publications
2022PhD completed
2028Expected MD
Education
Training record.
PhD, Molecular Biosciences & Bioengineering
University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Completed 2022.
MS, Biomedical Diagnostics
Arizona State University
Completed 2019.
BS, Liberal Studies
Northeastern University
Completed 2011.
Experience
Research and clinical roles.
2022 - 2023
Boston, MA
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Harvard Medical School / Massachusetts General Hospital
- Advanced translational projects in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, emphasizing cancer-associated fibroblast biology.
- Studied immune-epithelial interactions and alveolar cell differentiation using patient-derived organoid systems.
2019 - 2022
Honolulu, HI
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Hawai‘i
- Developed genetically engineered mouse models to investigate miRNA-15a/16-1 regulation of T-cell biology.
- Identified a mechanism connecting microRNA signaling to T-cell activation through the MEK1-ERK1/2-Elk1 pathway.
- Produced first-author research published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.
2019
Pullman, WA
Scientific Assistant
Washington State University
- Prepared CRISPR guide constructs and supported knockout and knock-in mouse-model generation.
2018 - 2019
Honolulu, HI
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Hawai‘i Cancer Center
- Performed cell culture, viral transduction, and molecular diagnostic assay development for bladder cancer research.
2016 - 2018
Boston, MA
Research Assistant
Wyss Institute / Harvard Medical School
- Supported biomaterial vaccine platforms designed to capture pathogen-associated molecular patterns.
- Conducted rodent and swine studies evaluating immune responses to vaccine candidates.
- Contributed to work later published in Nature Biomedical Engineering.
2014 - 2015
Research Associate
Toxicon Corporation
- Conducted toxicology, toxicokinetic, and pharmacokinetic studies under GLP/GMP standards and supported regulatory reporting.
2013 - 2014
Pathology Technician
Lahey Clinic and Medical Center
- Assisted with autopsies, surgical pathology processing, cytology preparation, and specimen accessioning.
2012 - 2013
Laboratory Assistant
Converge Diagnostic Services
- Performed clinical laboratory testing, HPV molecular diagnostics, and quality-assurance procedures.
2012
Risk Reduction Counselor
Greater Lawrence Family Health Center
- Provided HIV, STI, and hepatitis counseling, testing, outreach, and public-health education.
2008
Chemical Reagent Coordinator
Joule Scientific Staffing
- Managed chemical inventory and regulatory-compliance procedures.
Publications
Publication record.
Biomaterial vaccines capturing pathogen-associated molecular patterns protect against bacterial infections and septic shock.
Super M, Doherty E, Cartwright M, Ureña FR, et al.
Nature Biomedical Engineering
Demonstrated that immune-instructive biomaterials can capture bacterial signals in vivo and generate protection against sepsis, highlighting a path from materials engineering to clinically relevant infection control.
T-cell activation decreases miRNA-15a/16 levels to promote MEK1-ERK1/2-Elk1 signaling and proliferative capacity.
Ureña FR, Ma C, Hoffmann FW, et al.
Journal of Biological Chemistry
Showed that activation-driven loss of miR-15a/16 releases the MEK1-ERK-Elk1 pathway and expands T-cell proliferative capacity, clarifying a tractable lever in immune regulation.
Selenoprotein I deficiency in T cells promotes differentiation into tolerant phenotypes while decreasing Th17 pathology.
Ma C, Hoffmann FW, Nunes LGA, Ureña FR, et al.
Journal of Leukocyte Biology
Defined selenoprotein I as a regulator of T-cell fate, linking metabolic control to tolerant versus inflammatory immune phenotypes in ways that matter for immune-mediated disease.
Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for specific and rapid detection of Dickeya fangzhongdai targeting a unique genomic region.
DeLude A, Wells R, Boomla S, Chuang SC, Ureña FR, et al.
Scientific Reports
Built a rapid molecular diagnostic assay for field detection, reflecting a broader interest in translational platforms that shorten the distance between measurement and action.
miRNA-15a/16-1 regulation of T-cell biology.
University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
PhD, Molecular Biosciences & Bioengineering
Doctoral work developed genetically engineered mouse models and identified a mechanism connecting microRNA signaling to T-cell activation through the MEK1-ERK1/2-Elk1 pathway.
Additional record
Honors, leadership, and service.
Honors & Awards
AAI Minority Scientist Travel Award (2020). Carl Storm Underrepresented Minority Fellowship, Gordon Research Conferences (2020).
Leadership & Service
Research Coordinator, SGU Dermatology Interest Group (2024-2025). Volunteer Tutor, Bel Air and Father Mulligan Orphanages (2023-2025). COVID Testing Volunteer, Pacific Alliance Against COVID (2021-2022). Molecular Workshop Instructor, Science Symposium for Girls (2020).
Professional Organizations
American College of Physicians; American Society for Clinical Pathology; American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine; American College of Radiology; Society of Interventional Radiology.
Languages
English (Native/Professional). Spanish (Native/Professional).