Now
2026–Building SMILE-MSI, an open-source visual analysis tool for MALDI mass spectrometry imaging, with the Garcia Lab at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC). Validated against a parallel SCiLS Lab analysis. Used in a facial nerve palsy project on human nerve samples collected across institutions. 2026–AI in facial reconstruction and rhinoplasty planning, VUMC Department of Otolaryngology: whether data can augment surgical planning.
2026–Discharge disposition after free flap reconstruction for head and neck cancer, using Epic Cosmos data.
2026–“What Survivors Find Online”: the readability, quality, and sources of web information on late effects of head and neck cancer.
2025–Diet and chronic rhinosinusitis in a mouse model, Rom Lab, LSU Health Shreveport. AΩA Carolyn L. Kuckein Research Fellow. 2026–Founder of Pereste Health, building AI tools that explain health information at the reader's literacy level. 2026–Tools for myself: a mirror display, a voice assistant, and fa-reader, a Mac app for annotating First Aid. Presentations and awards
2026-10-18Oral presentation, AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting: “Dietary Modulation of Type 2 Inflammation and Olfaction in a Murine Model of CRSwNP.” Smith PJ, Chow K, Matabele MN.
2026-09First place, Epic Cosmos Datathon, LSU Health Shreveport: “Social and Clinical Determinants of Discharge Disposition After Free Flap Reconstruction for Head and Neck Cancer.”
2026-06Otolaryngology Research Day, LSU Health Shreveport: “Dietary Modulation of Type 2 Inflammation and Olfaction in a Murine Model of CRSwNP.”
2026-02Journal club, Plastic Surgery Interest Group: “Nasal Reconstruction after Mohs Cancer Resection: Lessons Learned from 2553 Consecutive Cases” (Thornton et al., 2021).
2026-02Guest speaker, Swamp Medics, Captain Shreve High School.
Publications
2026“Mapping the Neuromuscular Junctions of the Gracilis Free Flap.” Little CC, Dorjsuren N, Smith P, Brown M, Abbas S, Rossi-Meyer M, Patel PN, Yang SF, Stephan SJ, Brown B, Garcia JA. Under review.
2025“UHRF1 is critical for tumor-promoting inflammation and tumorigenesis in retinoblastoma.” bioRxiv preprint. doi:10.1101/2025.03.02.641083 2018Third author, Proteomics. doi:10.1002/pmic.201800353 Past work
2023–2025Dermatology tech, Mohs surgery, Franklin Dermatology Group.
2021–2023Beckman Scholar, Benavente Lab, UC Irvine.
2017–2018Research assistant, Zhao Lab, LSU Health Sciences Center Shreveport.
Leadership and service
2025–Pre-Med Day Chair, SHIP (Support for Humanitarianism through Intercontinental Projects).
2025–Volunteer tutor, Renzi Center.
2023–2025Volunteer and website maintenance, Beyond Fistula.
2021–2023Founder and president, The Migraine Club at UCI. Education
2025–LSU Health Shreveport, MD, class of 2029.
2023BS, Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine.
2019–2021Moorpark College.
2018–2019University of Michigan.