Polsky Research Fellow, 2026
Adriana Ortega is a rising fourth-year student at the University of Chicago studying Biological Sciences with a specialization in Immunology and a minor in Spanish. She has extensive experience in macrophage-related basic science research through her work in the Mutlu Lab and will continue this research under the Polsky Fellowship Program. Adriana has presented her research at the 2025 Pritzker School of Medicine Experience in Research Annual Symposium and the 2026 UChicago Undergraduate Research Symposium. She is currently working on a project focused on the effects of specific environmental stimuli on the metabolism and immune response of tissue-resident alveolar macrophages. Beyond research, she is deeply passionate about serving the Latino community and hopes to integrate research and patient care in her career to address health disparities in this population.