Hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA) is an underrecognized neuro-endocrine disorder in adolescent and premenopausal females, often overlooked due to the limited accessibility of comprehensive hormone panels. Early detection is crucial, as HA is strongly associated with endothelial dysfunction, impaired coronary blood flow, and an elevated long-term risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Current diagnostic workflows rely on venous phlebotomy and specialized assays, creating substantial barriers in both clinical and low-resource environments.

This study forms the initial analytical phase of a larger multi-stage project designed to evaluate whether dried blood spot (DBS) sampling can serve as a scalable, at-home screening method for hundreds of thousands of those with HA and its cardiovascular correlates across the world. Using deidentified patient sets (n = 120 across forty five primary cohorts), we compared endocrine measurements obtained from DBS cards and matched venous tubes using the Roche Cobas electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) platform. Seven biomarkers central to HA pathophysiology and vascular health: estradiol, progesterone, prolactin, FSH, LH, TSH, and hCG-β were assessed, with ≤20% CV within-run precision defined as the primary analytical performance criterion.

Four hormones: FSH, LH, prolactin, and TSH successfully met precision thresholds across DBS extracts, demonstrating stable and quantifiable ranges suitable for modeling the neuro-endocrine suppression patterns characteristic of HA. These biomarkers also intersect with pathways linked to endothelial weakening and early CVD risk, reinforcing their relevance for integrated reproductive–cardiovascular screening. In contrast, estradiol, progesterone, and hCG-β showed sub-quantifiable concentrations or excessive variability in DBS format, indicating the need for re-validation or higher-sensitivity platforms such as LC/MS-MS.

Hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA) is an underrecognized neuro-endocrine disorder in adolescent and premenopausal females, often overlooked due to the limited accessibility of comprehensive hormone panels. Early detection is crucial, as HA is strongly associated with endothelial dysfunction, impaired coronary blood flow, and an elevated long-term risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Current diagnostic workflows rely on venous phlebotomy and specialized assays, creating substantial barriers in both clinical and low-resource environments.

This study forms the initial analytical phase of a larger multi-stage project designed to evaluate whether dried blood spot (DBS) sampling can serve as a scalable, at-home screening method for hundreds of thousands of those with HA and its cardiovascular correlates across the world. Using deidentified patient sets (n = 120 across forty five primary cohorts), we compared endocrine measurements obtained from DBS cards and matched venous tubes using the Roche Cobas electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) platform. Seven biomarkers central to HA pathophysiology and vascular health: estradiol, progesterone, prolactin, FSH, LH, TSH, and hCG-β were assessed, with ≤20% CV within-run precision defined as the primary analytical performance criterion.

Four hormones: FSH, LH, prolactin, and TSH successfully met precision thresholds across DBS extracts, demonstrating stable and quantifiable ranges suitable for modeling the neuro-endocrine suppression patterns characteristic of HA. These biomarkers also intersect with pathways linked to endothelial weakening and early CVD risk, reinforcing their relevance for integrated reproductive–cardiovascular screening. In contrast, estradiol, progesterone, and hCG-β showed sub-quantifiable concentrations or excessive variability in DBS format, indicating the need for re-validation or higher-sensitivity platforms such as LC/MS-MS.

Designed and led a student-driven mental health and wellness initiative addressing academic stress and vaping through environmental design, peer support, data collection, and public health outreach.

Co-founded a peer support program providing students with access to free therapy resources, school counselors, and designated de-stress spaces. Led the transformation of an unused school atrium into a Sensory Garden, creating a restorative environment with soil, flowers, and seasonal décor. Implemented a “Sensory Garden Pass” system allowing students 15-minute wellness breaks during the school day.

Developed and coded a vape-specific carbon sensor to monitor peak vaping times in school restrooms and identify stress-correlated usage patterns. Used these data to inform targeted wellness interventions and optimize access to the Sensory Garden during high-stress periods.

Organized a school-wide vaping prevention and cessation campaign, including a raffle initiative in which 400+ students pledged to quit or denounce vaping and completed pre-, mid-, and post-initiative surveys. Led educational outreach through school announcements, Red Ribbon Week programming, Instagram reels, and YouTube PSAs addressing the health, financial, and social consequences of vaping.

Coordinated with a team of student leaders and community stakeholders and planned a public grand opening of the Sensory Garden, inviting local mayors and elementary and middle schools to engage with the space.

Organophosphates pesticides are increasingly being used in agricultural industries. Organophosphates are known to inhibit an enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AchE) involved in stimulating a neurotransmitter, acetylcholine. Acetylcholinesterase is in the muscles and tissues of all vertebrates. Low expression of AchE is associated with neurodegenerative diseases. Based on the properties of organophosphates, pesticides containing organophosphates within bodies of water will show a decrease in the activity of AchE. Similarly, in fish, the presence of malathion will show decreased levels of acetylcholinesterase activity. Water samples from four locations and 40 fish heads from four different fish species were used to detect relative levels of AchE activity. The organophosphate assay was used to treat 40 fish heads, then levels of AchE were assessed using a spectrophotometer. The malathion levels of the water samples were assessed using the spectrophotometer. Dissolved oxygen and pH levels of water samples were tested using kits. There were no significant deviations in the water samples using the kits except the dissolved oxygen levels of the Gulf of Mexico, which can be attributed to algae blooms. The experiments found that on average both sexes of Mycteroperca microlepis and Micropogonias undulatus fish heads had a 90% lower levels of absorbance at 412nm, suggesting a decrease in AchE activity due to increased organophosphate pesticides. The malathion levels of the corresponding water samples (Mayport site and Mill Creek site) also demonstrated decreased absorbance levels, suggesting that increased use of organophosphate pesticides account for the decreased AchE levels in exposed Florida waterways and their respective fish.

This study investigates the effects of vitamin supplementation on reversing organophosphate-induced enzyme disruption in zebrafish, focusing on Vitamin C, Vitamin D3, Vitamin B12, Curcumin, Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA), and DHA. The results showed that all vitamins significantly improved locomotor activity, including increased moving duration, velocity, and total distance covered, with Vitamin C improving locomotion by 43%, Curcumin by 45%, Vitamin B12 by 34%, Vitamin D by 57%, ALA by 42%, and DHA by 62%. Additionally, the absorbance of organophosphates after vitamin treatment increased by 34% for Vitamin C, Curcumin, and Vitamin B12, and by 45% for Vitamin D, ALA, and DHA, suggesting that the vitamins may reduce the bioavailability of malathion. The data also indicated that protein absorption correlated with improvements in locomotor behavior, implying that the vitamins help mitigate the toxic effects of malathion on protein function. Control groups with no vitamin treatment or only malathion exposure showed minimal changes (10-21%), further supporting the hypothesis that vitamins were effective in alleviating the impairments caused by malathion. Overall, the study highlights the potential of vitamin supplementation, especially Vitamin D and DHA, in protecting against organophosphate toxicity by enhancing nervous system function and reducing chemical absorption.