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BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH SCIENTIST
Multidisciplinary Experimentalist ~ Process Development/Optimization ~ Team Leadership
Accomplished, results-oriented Research Scientist with broad background of basic and applied scientific knowledge and experience in molecular/cellular biology and superior experimental/computational skills. More than 12 years demonstrated success in directing research studies, establishing collaborations between industry and the academic world, and developing novel assays as evidenced by successful completion of projects in academia and for the biotech industry. Diverse research interests include cell cycle checkpoint, DNA repair, DNA recombination, and molecular genetics of cancer. Excellent educational background with Ph.D. degree in Biomedical Sciences that complements comprehensive IT proficiency. Strong leadership and cross-functional team-building abilities with exceptional interpersonal attributes. A creative, fast-learner committed to acquiring and applying new knowledge/skills. Willing to relocate and willing to travel.
SELECTED RESEARCH ACHIEVEMENTS
* Created a new density gradient separation method resulting in the discovery of novel cell types from yeast stationary-phase cultures. Developed and implemented experimental techniques allowing selective physical separation of quiescent and non-quiescent cell sub-populations. Published results.
* Impacted corporate performance by providing key mechanistic insights for patent filing of an adjuvant to radiotherapy by the ICOS Corporation, a result of successfully conducting study on DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) inhibitor. Performed/analyzed drug titration, ionizing radiation sensitivity, recombination, Southern hybridization, PCR, and RFLP mapping experiments.
* Delivered first evidence of crosstalk between 2 DNA repair pathways studying DNA-PKcs expression. Project demonstrated expertise in mammalian cell tissue culturing and skill in developing a non-selective flow cytometry-based homologous recombination assay using the MO FLO automated cell sorter.
* Spearheaded the expert planning, design, and delivery of novel flow cytometry-based assays for a variety of measurements, including metabolic activity, reproliferative capacity of cells from stationary-phase cultures, apoptosis, and the characterization of apoptotic phenotypes (ROS accumulation, DNA fragmentation, and plasma membrane changes). Published results.
* Contributed superior subject matter expertise in the development of an innovative principle component analysis algorithm in collaboration with Analytical Chemistry and Computer Science Departments. Algorithm served to investigate underlying patterns in genomic time-course microarray data sets.
* Prolific author with more than 200 Scientific Citation Index (ISI) citations. Strong record of 13 publications over six years in first-tier peer reviewed scientific journals.
* Commanded operations of laboratory and 10 laboratory personnel as Senior Post-Doctoral Fellow. Skillfully managed team-oriented multi-disciplinary research projects, including project planning/flow, operating costs, supply and equipment acquisition, budgets/expenses, and overall scheduling. Initiated/ directed national and international collaborations with principal investigators, supervised/trained post-docs, technicians, and students, wrote/submitted/managed grants.
EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences, 2003
* Exhibited advanced scientific knowledge and research skills by achieving Ph.D. degree with Distinction.
WHITMAN COLLEGE, Walla Walla, Washington
Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Chemistry, 1997
RESEARCH/TECHNICAL SKILLS
Research Interests: Stationary phase in yeast, homologous and non-homologous eukaryotic DNA recombination, DNA damage cell cycle checkpoints, quiescent cells, DNA repair, stress response, apoptosis, cell cycle, molecular genetics, cancer biology, high-throughput screening.
Experimental Methods/Instrumentation: Technical expertise includes high throughput flow cytometry, FACS, genomics, printing/hybridizing/analyzing cDNA microarrays, DNA recombination techniques, DNA plasmid construction, transfection/transient/stable transgene expression, base sequencing, design/implementation of novel, flow cytometry-based assays, Percoll-based density gradient separation protocols, Southern, northern, western blot analyses, qRT-PCR, RFLP mapping, datamining, MO FLO automated cell sorter, mammalian cell tissue culturing, cell line construction, density gradient centrifugation, rapid sampling, Coulter Counter, Agilent Bioanalyzer, Axon 4000 microarray slide scanner, Zeiss Axioscope and Nikon Optiphot microscopes.
Software Applications: Genepix and Acuity Microarray, DNA sequence alignment programs, MATLAB, Axiovision Microscopy, Cell Quest and Flo Jo Flow cytometry, EndNote bibliography software, Corel Draw, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Prism Graphing and statistics software, computational biology, genomics, MS Office, including Access, PowerPoint.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
YEAST GENOME LABORATORY
UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO BIOLOGY DEPARTMENT, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 2003 – 2006
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Post-Doctoral Fellow
Senior Post-Doctoral Fellow
* Utilized outstanding technical abilities to investigate gene expression, cell biology and cell cycle status of distinct sub-populations in yeast stationary-phase cultures with flow cytometry-based assays.
* Served as domain expert collaborator on computational biology studies, providing validation/insight into interpreting resultant patterns generated by algorithms.
RECOMBINATION LABORATORY
UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 1997 – 2003
Graduate Research Assistant
* Successfully performed graduate research studying the effects of single gene perturbations (transient or stable transgene overexpression, mutant and complemented cell lines, and chemical inhibitor studies) on eukaryotic DNA recombination and DNA repair.
* Collaborated with Dr. David Sankoff, a pioneer in computational biology, examining distributions of breakpoints in data mining study of Mitelman database of chromosomal translocations in cancer.
CELL CYCLE CHECKPOINT GROUP, ICOS CORPORATION, Bothell, Washington, 1995 – 1997
Molecular Biology Intern
* Served as team member with goal of developing novel therapeutic to ablate G2/M DNA damage checkpoint for use as an adjuvant to radiotherapy/chemotherapy in cancer treatment.
* Effectively cloned ATR (Ataxia Telangectasia and RAD3 related, the mammalian homolog of the Rad3p protein kinase in S. pombe) via library screening.
HONORS/AWARDS
* Recognized for excellence with funding from National Institutes of Health (NIH) Ruth L. Kirschstein Individual National Research Service Award, 2004 – 2006.
* Honored for academic excellence and awarded Non-Traditional Student, Donald Sherwood and Steve Cover Scholarships, 1994 – 1997.
~ List of publications available upon request. ~
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