1. MIGUEL ESTEBAN PACHECO
(214) 728-6108 | mpachec6@jhmi.edu | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/miguelp95
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Molecular Biology and Genetics Ph.D. Candidate studying the cellular response to environmental stress
through the lens of RNA biology. Diverse experience with science policy & communication as member of
student government, representative for Rally for Medical Research, and participant in FASEB bootcamp.
Led initiatives to improve representation of & support for historically excluded individuals in STEM fields.
EDUCATION
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (JHU) August 2018 – Present
Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology (BCMB) Ph.D. Program Baltimore, MD
Thesis advisor: Dr. Rachel Green, Dept. of Molecular Biology and Genetics
The University of Arizona August 2014 – May 2018
B.S. in Biochemistry Tucson, AZ
Thesis advisor: Dr. Richard Vaillancourt, Dept. of Pharmacology and Toxicology
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Doctoral Researcher May 2019 – Present
Green Lab, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
• Characterized the role of protein synthesis, the final step in gene expression, in coordinating
the cellular response to environmental toxicants and nutrient starvation (thesis work).
Undergraduate Researcher May 2017 – May 2018
Vaillancourt Lab, University of Arizona College of Pharmacy
• Purified proteins to be used for examining the metabolic habits of cancer cells (thesis work).
SCIENCE POLICY & LEADERSHIP
Planning Committee Member December 2018 – Present
Accepted Applicants 2nd
Look Visit at Johns Hopkins
• Assisted with planning four annual Accepted Applicants 2nd
Look Visits, which provided
campus visits for underrepresented-minority applicants accepted to JHU graduate programs
• Coordinated drivers and hosts for housing tour to show attendees diverse JHU housing options
Hill Day Representative September 2019
Rally for Medical Research | JHU Science Policy Group
• Advocated for increased NIH funding at 2019 Rally for Medical Research in Washington, D.C.
Served as JHU spokesperson for Maryland congregation during meetings with legislators.
Senator Representing College of Science May 2017 – May 2018
Associated Students of the University of Arizona
• Secured funding for Dept. of Molecular and Cellular Biology’s annual outreach event to
support campus visits and lab tours for 250+ high school students from majority-Latinx schools
• Secured funding for Undergraduate Biology Research Program’s Annual Conference and
Research Ethics Retreat, freeing up funds for more paid research positions for undergraduates.
• Attended a Hill Day at Arizona State Legislature and met with legislators to advocate for
increased state support for the University’s research facilities.
Volunteer Coordinator September 2016 – November 2016
Voto Latino at the University of Arizona

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Miguel Esteban Pacheco Page 2
• Trained & led student volunteers in voter registration efforts on-campus and throughout
Tucson during 2016 election cycle, resulting in over 100 newly registered voters.
Canvasser March 2015 – May 2018
Various campaigns
• Knocked doors, phone-banked, and collected petition signatures for various local campaigns.
SCIENCE COMMUNICATION & OUTREACH
Graduate Mentor September 2019 – Present
Científico Latino Graduate School Mentorship Initiative
• Provided one-on-one application and interview guidance to Ph.D. program applicants,
including assistance with selection of programs to apply to, personal statement and CV
revisions, mock interviews & how to tell whether a program is a good fit.
Diversity & Inclusion Working Group Member August 2020 – August 2021
Dept. of Molecular Biology & Genetics at Johns Hopkins
• Organized invited seminars, workshops & departmental discussions aimed at increasing
literacy regarding issues of racial justice within the department.
Science Workshop Leader September 2019 – March 2020
Science in Action at Johns Hopkins
• Taught interactive science workshops to 3rd
grade students at Baltimore City elementary
schools. These workshops introduced basic scientific concepts such as formation of a
hypothesis, choosing variables, and experimental controls.
PUBLICATIONS
Pacheco M, D’Orazio K, Lessen L, Veltri A, Neiman Z, Loll-Krippleber R, Brown G, Green R.
(2023). Genetic screens in S. cerevisiae identify a role for 40S ribosome recycling factors
TMA20/22 in nonsense-mediated decay. (revisions in progress)
PRESENTATIONS
“Legionella: An opportunistic human pathogen.” October 2022
• (Talk) Discussed the survival strategies and public health implications of the Legionella
bacterium for the Molecular Biology and Genetics Dept. Journal Club.
“The role of ribosome collisions in the Integrated Stress Response” September 2022
• (Poster) Shared my preliminary research findings with a broad scientific audience at the
annual HHMI Gilliam Meeting.
“A novel viral strategy for inhibition of the Integrated Stress Response.” December 2021
• (Talk) Discussed a strategy employed by coronaviruses to circumvent innate immunity for
the Molecular Biology and Genetics Dept. Journal Club.
“Translation: How it started and where it’s going.” February 2021
• (Talk) Presented a synopsis of early discoveries that laid the foundation for the field of RNA
biology and Translational Control for the Molecular Biology and Genetics Dept. Journal Club.
AWARDS & HONORS
HHMI Gilliam Fellowship Award August 2020 – Present
• Full stipend support with additional funding for diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Highest Academic Distinction Fall 2017 – Spring 2018
• Recognized for maintaining a 4.0 GPA in at least 30 units during the above academic year.
UA National Hispanic Scholar Award August 2014 – May 2018
• Full tuition and fees scholarship.