Family Practice
Jaclyn Del Pozzo has always been inspired by family. “My family is extremely close. I have two brothers, and we are all close in age,” she says. “We are all physically active and healthy, [which is what] pushed me to pursue a career in health and wellness.”
Del Pozzo chose to focus on becoming an Obstetrician-Gynecologist (OB-GYN). “Because my family is so important to me, I knew I would like to care for women who are creating families of their own,” she says. “I love the idea of helping people during this exciting part of their lives.”
However, Del Pozzo doesn’t want to limit her studies. After her internal medicine rotation in the intensive care unit at Plainview Hospital, she became interested in cardiology. “The Academic Medicine Scholars Program afforded me the opportunity to dedicate part of my master’s year to research so I was able to speak with different researchers on campus and determined that the cardiology research done in the lab of [Associate Professor] Qiangrong Liang, M.D., Ph.D., aligned with my clinical interests,” she says.
The research is of particular interest for patients receiving antitumor treatment who might be prescribed metformin and doxorubicin concurrently to provide cardioprotection. “The study investigates the underlying mechanisms regarding the effect of doxorubicin, an antineoplastic drug that causes irreversible cardiotoxicity, and metformin, an oral antihyperglycemic used to treat Type 2 diabetes mellitus that has been found to have cardioprotective effects, ” she explained.
According to Del Pozzo, her work in the lab has allowed her to gain respect for the inherent ‘trial and error’ process that comes along with research. “[It allowed] me to think critically on a cellular level and better analyze current research articles, ” she says.
In September, Del Pozzo was recognized for her work on the study at the 2019 Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA) Meeting, where she was a finalist for the Jay N. Cohn New Investigator Award.
The cardioprotection project is only one of Del Pozzo’s many endeavors at New York Institute of Technology. She completed research in microbiology and immunology, was a member of the Big Brother Big Sister Program, and served as a Student Ambassador. She also participated in the Fit Physician study and volunteered at Boys and Girls Club outreach events, the Rocksteady Boxing program that helps people with Parkinson’s disease, and Ringside Sport Medicine for Professional Wrestling. “[I had the] opportunity to collaborate with physicians and EMS to provide several hours of medical coverage for professional wrestlers—including obtaining vitals, performing physicals, and preparing emergency action plans.”
She is also a member of several organizations, including the American College of Osteopathic Obstetricians and Gynecology, Student Osteopathic Internal Medicine Association, Cardiology Organization, and Student American Academy of Osteopathy.
Del Pozzo says it is because of New York Tech that she is able to grow as a student and expand her interests beyond her field of study. “I knew New York Tech was the right place for me because this program provides a genuine medical school family,” she says. “The positive atmosphere, team-building dynamic, and enjoyable learning environment created by the students and faculty allow for encouraging and thought-provoking pre-clinical years.”
