About
Summary
My research interests over the years have focused on aspects of molecular, cell, and microbiology. This has included research in such areas as development of implantable devices to treat type I diabetes, brain cancer therapies, virulence factors in bacterial pathogens, human stem cell isolation from bone marrow, fibroblasts associated immune diseases, and mesenchymal stem cells in regenerative therapy in companion animals. Thus, I am proficient at designing and independently conducting scientific development projects from inception to completion. Likewise, my lab management skills are equally extensive.
Positions
Lab Manager Apr 2024 -
Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota
April 2024-Present University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Department of Neurosurgery, Lab Manager
I am responsible for carrying out cell culture of primary and stem cells lines (Chordoma tumors and iPSCs). Execution of experiments performing differentiation of iPSCs into Notochord like cells and recreating certain tumorigenesis in-vitro. Preparation of libraries for bulk RNA-seq, scRNA-seq, and ATAC-seq. Use of CRISPR-off for enhancer knockouts. In charge of writing lab SOPs, maintaining lab equipment and reagents as well as ordering lab supplies.
Lab Manager Nov 2022 - Dec 2023
I was responsible for providing leadership for a four-member team in a technical as well as non-technical role, managing the operations of the lab, and facilitating proactive communications among departments within VetStem, Inc. Processing duties included but were not limited to companion animal adipose tissue processing for mesenchymal stem cell recovery, and mesenchymal stem cell culture. Responsible for insuring cells were banked and/or sent out as doses to the client in a timely fashion. In addition, duties included inventory control for all material used for lab operations. Likewise, I was also responsible for defining and maintaining a culture of quality, as well as creating and refining the infrastructure necessary for the efficient operations of the lab. In addition, I participate in Quality Management Systems, routine laboratory equipment oversight and maintenance, continuing education, and lab data systems training. Finally, I undertook project-based work as assigned.
Lab Manager Jan 2022 - Nov 2022
Inflammation Biology, La Jolla Institute For Allergy & Immunology
. Responsible for carrying out cell culture of primary and immortalized cells lines (Fibroblasts and T-cells). Execution of experiments to recreate certain chronic skin disease in vitro. Preparation of libraries for bulk RNA-seq, scRNA-seq, CUT&RUN and Hi-C seq. Use of CRISPR for gene knockouts, knockdowns, and activation. In charge of writing lab SOPs, maintaining lab equipment and reagents as well as ordering lab supplies.
Researcher/PhD studies Apr 2017 - Dec 2021
Research on type I diabetes. Cell culture (2D, 3D) of immortalized, primary cell lines, differentiated iPCS, and organoids. Microfabrication of implantable devices. Use of microfluidics for encapsulation of islets and/or beta cells. Performing cell/ molecular biology analysis using ELISA, Luminex, flow cytometry, qPCR, DNA and RNA NGS library preparation, and various kinds of microscopy including fluorescent and electron microscopy (SEM/TEM). Assisted with maintaining MERLN wet lab, including training with equipment.
Researcher Dec 2015 - Mar 2017
Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota
Clinical study and research on gliomas isolated from canine and human patients. Cell culture of cancer stem cells isolated from glioma and meningioma tumors. Cell cultures were then processed into immunotherapy for canine patients. Also, I performed qPCR, CRISPR-Cas9, ELISA, and WESTERN analysis on the cells cultured from the tumors of different breeds of canines.
Education
Maastricht University 2017 - 2021
Field of study: Regenerative Medicine
Degree: PhD
Hoping to finish my dissertation by December 2025
University of Illinois-Urbana 1985 - 1988
Field of study: Microbiology
Degree: BSc
Skills
Tissue/cell culture (including human stem cells, cancer cell lines, harvest and setting primary cultures)
Work in BL-2 and BL-3 facilities
DNA/RNA/miRNA isolation
Roche MagNA Pure system
Microvesicle isolation (immune-isolation)
Plasmid purification
Cloning into bacterial and mammalian vectors
Gene knockouts (lamda-red system)
Digital PCR
PCR (PCR, RT-PCR, Real-time PCR) including primer design
CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing
Protein expression and purification
Western Blotting
Cultivation of numerous kinds of microorganisms
Southern Blotting
Sequencing and metagenome analysis with software such as Galaxy, DNAStar and R
Chip assays
Microarrays
ELISA
LC/MS
Gel electrophoresis including Pulse-field
Flow cytometry including FASC
Microscopy (Immunohistochemistry)
Animal work (mouse husbandry, genotyping, and tail injection)
(mice, rat, chickens, pigs, cows)
CV
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Contact details
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