Download Resume - Beyond.com

Career Portfolio provided by Beyond.com
Member Number: 30486584
Life Sciences
Creative Problem-Solver, Challenge Enthusiast
West Bloomfield, MI 48324
Portfolio: https://www.beyond.com/people/30486584
Professional Information
Job Function: Science & Biotech, Research
Education: Post Graduate Degree
Experience: 5 – 10 Years
Employment: Full-Time
Salary: $70-150k
Security Clearance: None
Citizenship: U.S. Citizen
Resume
CAREER OBJECTIVE
To aid a risk-taking company in providing innovative solutions utilizing my
melded background in chemical engineering, chemistry and molecular biology
established during my academic laboratory and industrial career.
EDUCATION
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Preparatory Orchard Lake Village, Michigan
University of Michigan
BSChE 1/***
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Chemical Engineering
Wayne State University
PhD 5/***
Detroit, Michigan
Molecular Biology, minor in Chemistry
GPA: ***
5/***
GPA: ***
Graduate Certificate in Business Administration
4/***
Life Sciences
LABORATORY EXPERIENCE
Wayne State University, Dr. Philip Cunningham Laboratory
Post-Doctoral Researcher
Detroit, Michigan
*** to present
Commercialization of antimicrobial peptides and their method of isolation outlined in the research project below.
Graduate Research Assistant
*** to ***
Outstanding Research Assistant Award, Biological Sciences, WSU*** ***, ***
Research Projects
*** In vivo display: An irrational approach to discover de novo antimicrobials.
I developed a novel in vivo drug-discovery technology that bypasses the previous
issues of membrane permeability, pre-screen target identification and physiological
molecular interactions by screening ***’s of millions of peptides in vivo for
antimicrobial effects on Escherichia coli. I produced a library of plasmids from
expression in E. coli encoding a display protein attached to a random peptide.
Via high-throughput screening in liquid media the method yielded peptides whose
expression is detrimental to bacterial growth in one of three phenotypes:
bactericidal, bacteriostatic and bacteriolytic. Further analysis of enriched
peptides for target binding, peptide sequence, minimum inhibitory concentrations,
induced growth curves and spectrum efficacy characterized the potential of each
peptide to serve as a new lead for antimicrobial development.
Using this new method I have discovered hundreds of peptides with antimicrobial
activity against E. coli. Three such peptides were studied against other organisms
as drug-like agents and found to have activity against Gram-negative organisms such
as Shigella sonnei and Salmonella typhimurium and Gram-positive organisms such as
Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis and Streptococcus salivarius. None of
the three peptides demonstrated hemolytic activity making them great leads for the
development of new antimicrobials.
I also adapted the screen for use in finding antimicrobial peptides in the periplasm,
nutrient starvation, anaerobic conditions and in the reverse orientation on the display
protein (N versus C-terminus). The latter derivative required the innovation of using
in vivo TEV protease expression to cleave off a protective peptide N-terminal to the
peptide library to negate translation efficiency problems with randomizing the 5’ of
the encoding mRNA. This powerful screen can be adapted for use in other organisms such
Life Sciences
as S. aureus to isolate species specific or narrow spectrum antimicrobials.
I utilized MS/MS to identify targets bound to antimicrobial peptides, affinity columns
(step, histidine tags) to purify peptide-target complexes, synthetic peptides for MIC’s,
mutational adaptation to antimicrobial and mechanism of action.
*** Investigation of a central domain pseudoknot in the ***S ribosomal subunit.
Project objective was to determine the functional importance of the base pairing regions
of a particular pseudoknot in the central domain of the ***S in E. coli. A total of ***
mutations were created by site-directed mutagenesis and a succession of cloning reactions.
Assays to detect function were performed on each mutant to analyze mutation complementation
and thermodynamic interactions. The structure of the mutant ribosomes were analyzed using
homology modeling software and assembly/association defects were identified via ribosome
sucrose gradients.
*** Isolation of non-functional ***S rRNA single mutants.
The ***S ribosomal subunit has served as a reliable antimicrobial target for the discovery
and development of new antimicrobials. A follow-up to the Cunningham Laboratory’s
‘instant evolution’ system was used to elucidate new drug targets in the bacterial ***S
ribosomal subunit resulting in the discovery of single mutations that completely negated
function of the ribosome in vivo. These mutations, when compared to those in the human
***S ribosomal subunit, pinpoint new potential drug targets for the development of de novo
antimicrobials.
Equipment
Beckman Coulter robotics (Biomek® FX), Gene Machines Higro™ ***well plate incubator,
Licor ***L DNA sequencer, fluorometer and spectrophotometer microplate readers,
thermocyclers, SLM french press, Sorvall RC***C high speed centrifuge, Sorvall Wf ultrafuge,
GE Typhoon™ FLA *** fluorescent microscope.
Methods
Circular Dichroism, peptide synthesis, minimum inhibitory concentrations,
fluorescent microscopy Polymerase Chain Reaction, site-directed mutagenesis,
DNA restriction digests, cloning, subcloning, alkaline lysis plasmid preparation,
DNA isolation using gel extraction protocols, Sanger sequencing reactions, sequence analysis,
reporter gene assays, electroporation, electro-competent cell preparation, PFU polymerase
preparation, Acrylamide gel and reagent preparation, SDS PAGE gels, ribosome preparation,
antibiotic preparation, M*** phage display and library expansion.
Life Sciences
Software
Primer design software (Oligo DT), Genetic cloning and sequence software (Gene Construction Kit),
Molecular structure software (PyMol, PDB Swiss viewer), DNA sequencing analysis software
(Licore, Align IR, e-Seq), peptide modeling, motif searching Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Wayne State University Staff***
Detroit, Michigan
Graduate Teaching Assistant****** to present
***oductory microbiology lab instructor of *** undergraduate students for 6 semesters***
Prepared weekly lectures, discussions, quizzes, exams and posted and recorded grades.
Learned to work with and educate students who had minimal prior knowledge of biology.
***nced molecular biology lab instructor of *** graduate for 6 semesters
Discussed and oversaw advanced experiments and methods conducted by graduate level students.
Assisted in the design and supply of reagents necessary for advanced experiments and methods.
Wrote, designed and delivered lectures/experiments in the absence of course’s professor.
Graduate Research Assistant: Dr. Robert Arking Laboratory***
*** to ***
I conducted experiments on D. melanogaster demonstrating the linkage of aging to radical superoxides in mitochondria.
I changed food, identified mutants, measured life spans, constructed databases of data and handled paraquat.
DNA Software Inc.***
Detroit, Michigan
Wet Laboratory Technician*** ***
*** to ***
I developed and confirmed a system for identifying single mutations in the ***S ribosome that negated function (See
Project 3 above).
The data used to confirm client’s RNA structure prediction program.
Mainline Technology Inc., IM Diagnostics Inc.***
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Lab Supervisor****** to present
I developed and wrote SOP’s and guidelines for the formulation of reagents, buffers and control solutions distributed with
molecular diagnostic kits.
I carried out the production of reagents, buffers and control solutions required for commercial molecular diagnostic kits for
pregnancy (hCG), streptococcal (Protein A), drugs of abuse and Epstein-Barr.
I grew, harvested and prepared cultures of Streptococcus pyogenes and S. agalactiae for use in control solutions.
I produced solutions of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and luteinizing hormone (LH) for the use as control solutions
and for quality analysis of molecular diagnostic kits via ELISA.
I setup small independent research and development lab focused on molecular diagnostic and molecular biology research
carrying out projects of my own design without supervision.
University of Michigan***
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Lab Attendant*** *** to ***
I maintained food, water, and cages and followed procedures on how to euthanize and handle laboratory mice.
Life Sciences
I observed and discussed experiments conducted by PhD students.
PRESENTATIONS/CONFERENCES
The Challenge of Antibacterial Drug Development
Poster Presentation***
San Diego, California
***
American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC)***
***
Orlando, Florida
***
Biological Sciences Department Research Retreat, WSU***
Poster Presentation***
***
Oral and Poster Presentation (Best Poster Award)***
Poster Presentation***
Poster Presentation***
Detroit, Michigan
***
Biological Sciences Poster Day, WSU***
Detroit, Michigan
Poster Presentation (Best Poster Award)***
Poster Presentation***
***, ***
RNA Rustbelt Meeting***
Mt. Sterling, Ohio
***, ***, ***
Detroit, Michigan
Oral Presentation***
***, ***, ***, ***, ***
PATENTS
Mainline Technology, Inc.***
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Prostate Cancer Molecular Diagnostic*** ***
Unfiled due to lack of funding
Wayne State University***
Detroit, Michigan
In vivo display system and antimicrobial peptides *** ***
derived from the system (See Research Project 1 above)
Pending
HOBBIES
***
***
Wayne State University Graduate Exhibition***
RNA Club, WSU***
Grosse Pointe, Michigan
***
Life Sciences
Astronomy Enthusiast
Avid Reader of History, Economic Theory, Philosophy and Literature
Aspiring Fiction Writer