This Sciences alum got his start studying how stem cells can help regenerate the nervous system as an undergrad at SDSU
National Institutes of Health–funded student support programs helped Carlo Quintanilla get his start as an undergraduate scientist at SDSU. A stipend enabled him to study how stem cells can help regenerate the nervous system in biology professor Ricardo Zayas’ lab.
Since earning his doctorate, Quintanilla is now advocating for science policies working within the NIH.
“Doing science is really challenging, but it’s extremely rewarding when you’re contributing to discoveries, especially when those discoveries can impact peoples’ lives in a positive way,” he says.
Quintanilla has brought together stakeholders to prioritize investing in cures and treatments for diseases such as ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. He’s also analyzing whether institute grants are benefiting taxpayers’ health and researchers’ careers.
“It’s been pretty eye-opening coming from basic science to see how many areas of human health are touched by the NIH and how people are impacted by disease,” Quintanilla says. “It’s not just patients but also caregivers, clinicians, researchers and nurses.”
Learn about other Aztecs making a difference in the world of research today by checking out the Spring 2025 edition of SDSU Magazine.