Alexander Castro

Student Researcher

Education

Santa Clara University - BS in Public Health Science

Biography

Alexander Castro earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Health Science from Santa Clara University in 2024 and is currently completing prerequisites for an entry-level Master of Science in Nursing program. He recently completed an EMT program at Foothill College and will soon begin working in Santa Clara County's 911 system to provide critical pre-hospital care. With a strong dedication to pediatric health, Alexander combines clinical research, patient advocacy, and volunteer work to support underserved communities. He aspires to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and bridge gaps in health equity through innovative care and research.

Research Interests

1. Efficiency in Pre-hospital Pediatric Care and Trauma Center Integration

2. Technological Innovations in Pediatric Emergency Care

3. Pediatric Bioethics: Ethical Decision-Making in the Care of Children with Complex Medical Needs

4. Pediatric Nursing Practices in Managing Chronic Illnesses

5. Long-term Effects of Pediatric Trauma on Disease Development

6. AI and Machine Learning for Early Diagnosis of Pediatric Diseases

7. Health Equity in Pediatric Disease Prevention and Management

Hobbies

Lifting weights, playing pickup basketball and pickle ball, and volunteering at local children's hospitals. He recently began training Brazilian jiu-jitsu and also enjoys practicing his EMT skills and cooking!

Goals for the Future

His long-term goal is to become a Nurse Practitioner, and his next step toward this is pursuing an entry-level Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program to first become a Registered Nurse. To prepare for this, he is currently completing several online prerequisite courses for the MSN programs he plans to apply to in late 2025 or early 2026. During his gap year, he focused on building diverse experiences in clinical research, volunteering, and direct patient care.

He is currently a Research Associate Intern at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland, contributing to the PECARN network, a Hospitality Volunteer at Stanford’s Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, and a Health Advocate at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center. Additionally, Alexander recently completed an EMT program at Foothill College, further strengthening his clinical skills. To enhance his patient care experience, he is preparing to work part-time as an EMT within Santa Clara County's 911 system upon achieving full certification. While contributing to emergency services, he will dedicate most of his time to the Research Associate Internship program and the Emergency Data Lab, ensuring a well-rounded foundation for his future in nursing and clinical research.