Yadira Huerta Espinosa
Biography
Fun Fact: I ran a half marathon in high school!
My name is Yadira Huerta Espinosa, and I’m from Zeeland, Michigan. I’m a first-generation college student born to Mexican immigrants. I plan to concentrate in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, as well as Music! I’ve been playing the clarinet since 6th grade and look forward to continuing to grow as a musician. I’ve always been someone who asks questions, so I’m excited to get into the lab and research the answers. With Biochemistry and Biology, I plan to become a pharmaceutical scientist and help improve lives through new medications! In my free time, I enjoy hiking, thrifting, and listening to music!
Research
In summer 2026, I worked in the McDonald Lab in the Chemistry Department at Brown University. My work contributed to a larger, four-year research project led by the graduate student who mentored me. I investigated how varying the types and concentrations of photoinitiators and crosslinkers, as well as the concentrations of acrylamide and sodium styrene sulfonate, affected the properties of double-network hydrogels. The goal was to engineer a strong, tough hydrogel while minimizing permanent deformation. This work taught me how to draw on existing research to inform my experimental approach.