PROJECT: An STD self-testing kit tailored to the Latinx and Hispanic community that includes educational and follow-up information in Spanish/Portuguese and connects positive-testing individuals with HIV care. 

Jose Segura-Bermudez is a medical student at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. He is originally from Oaxaca, Mexico, and as a child immigrated to Ohio, where he grew up.

While a student at The Ohio State University, Segura-Bermudez volunteered as a patient intake representative at La Clinica Latina and a community outreach coordinator for the Columbus Free Clinic. As a coordinator, he developed an initiative that offered free health services for the underserved Hispanic population of central Ohio. This initiative was possible by cultivating partnerships with the Columbus Public Health Department, local clinics, and the Indianapolis Mexican Consulate.

Aside from his community involvement, Segura-Bermudez has extensive experience in scientific research, with his most notable work in zebrafish heart regeneration. He is a proud alumnus of the Society for Developmental Biology (SDB) Choose Development! Fellowship and has presented his work at local and national conferences.

As a future medical professional, he hopes to integrate his community involvement with scientific research to implement significant health improvements for underserved communities.

Segura-Bermudez earned his Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science with a minor in Aging from The Ohio State University.