Postdoctoral Scholar

Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research (CEDAR) Group, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU)

2019 – Current

Lead projects focused on the development and utilization of sequencing technology for the early detection of cancer and contributed to internal and external science communication initiatives.

·       Performed research in early cancer detection as part of the Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research (CEDAR) group, including leading a multidisciplinary team with a budget over ~$125k to use error-corrected next generation sequencing to analyze circulating tumor DNA release in the blood of non-small cell lung cancer patients following stereotactic body radiation therapy, ultimately leading to the preparation of a scientific manuscript

·       Managed a small team of 3 people including biologists and engineers with a budget of $5000 working to study mitochondrial DNA dynamics and detection in patient plasma

·       Attended the 2019 Early Detection Summer School at Cambridge University to learn about the scientific, clinical, and policy challenges associated with developing and validating cancer screening technologies and interventions, as well as to build relationships with colleagues abroad through the Alliance for Early Cancer Detection (ACED)

·       Attended Science Talk 2020 virtually in order to gain skills in visual design and developing a social media presence, and am currently enrolled in Podcasting for Science Communicators to learn new SciComm media skills and publication avenues

·       Participated in the CIMER Mentoring Up Academy to develop skills in mentorship and communication

·       Taught science communication skills to ~10 colleagues of all of levels to establish the CEDAR Speaker Bureau whose goal was to better share the story of early detection with diverse audiences

·       Moderated seminar session for the CEDAR Young Investigator Symposium postdoc recruitment event

·       Learned how to establish relationships within the CEDAR community and with the external Portland and Oregon Communities as a member of the health disparities interest group and the social engagement committee

·       Volunteered with the Knight Cancer Institute communications team to develop skills in scientific writing and to train colleague across the institute in public speaking for the Knight School public seminar series

Graduate Student

Rosana Risques Lab, Laboratory Medicine and Pathology Department, University of Washington

2014 – 2018

Worked to characterize mitochondrial DNA mutations in colorectal cancer progression in the context of ulcerative colitis. Analyzed TP53 mutations in the context of high-grade serous ovarian cancer for early detection.

·       Performed research in early cancer detection as a member of the Molecular Medicine and Mechanisms (M3D) Program, working to characterize mitochondrial DNA mutations in ulcerative colitis-associated colorectal cancer progression and TP53 mutations in the context of high-grade serous ovarian cancer via an ultra-sensitive next-generation sequencing technology called duplex sequencing; this work ultimate lead to the publication of a review and a research article as well as presentations at local and national meetings

·       Gained skills in teaching and management as a teaching assistant for upper division biochemistry student, a mentor fora high school and undergraduate student, and managing the Risques lab

·       Created and chaired the Pathology Graduate Student Association which provided opportunities for student involvement in departmental functions and for professional development as well as fostering the graduate student community

·       Attended the Summer Institute in Statistical Genetics taking courses in probability and statistical inference, R programming, and regression methods

·       Completed course in Advanced Technical Communication in Public Health designed to train graduate students in written, visual, and oral communication of public health subjects to both technical and public audiences

Research Assistant I

Scott Lesley Lab, Joint Center for Structural Genomics, Integrative Structural and Computational Biology Department, The Scripps Research Institute

2013–2014

While part of the JCSG, contributed to crystallization trials designed to elucidate protein structures.

·       Conducted small-scale protein expression and purification in preparation for large-scale expression for the JCSG pipeline.

·       Gained experience in multi-center collaboration through work shared between TSRI, The Genomics Institute of the Novartis Foundation, and several major universities on a variety of targets including stem cell transcription factors and nuclear hormone receptor ligand and DNA binding domains.

Research Associate I

Roka Bioscience

2012 – 2013

While a member of the Microbiology Department and E. coli team, worked to develop a molecular detection assay for E. Coli O157 and big six STEC strains for use on the Roka instrument, Atlas.

·       Developed skills in microbiology by culturing pathogenic bacteria in various food matrices, managing a digital database of bacterial strains, and conducting strain and oligo screening

·       Served as a member of the molecular biology team by performing PCR, qPCR, transcription mediated amplification, immunomagnetic bead separation, and DNA and RNA extraction on foodborne E. Coli.

Lab Manager/ Lab Assistant I

Maho Niwa Lab, Molecular Biology Department, UC San Diego

2011

Acted as lab manager and lab assistant, insured smooth laboratory function and conducted research for studies on endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis and the Unfolded Protein Response pathway.

·       Performed growth assays, DNA extraction, and Northern Blotting for s. cerevisiae.

·       Developed skills in lab management including organization, and maintenance of laboratory equipment, stocks, and databases.

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Don Cleveland Lab, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research

2011

As an undergraduate researcher, assisted postdoctoral fellows with gene knockdown studies on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

·       Increased competencies in wet lab work including extraction and synthesis of nucleic acids, PCR primer design, gene amplification, gel electrophoresis, and Western Blotting.

Lab Aide

Research and Development, Illumina Inc.

2009 – 2011

As a lab aide in the Research and Development Department, maintained seamless laboratory operations and assisted with genome sequencing projects.

·       Managed basic lab maintenance including ordering, dishware cleaning, and buffer preparation.

·       Performed PCR and gel electrophoresis for DNA library preparation.

·       Serviced clean rooms and performed biweekly contamination checks, performed cluster station, Tecan robot, and sequencer maintenance.

·       Assisted R&D staff with proprietary genome sequencing projects for customers.

Intern

Advanced Power, General Atomics

2007 – 2009

Assisted the Advanced Power group in the development of a hydrogen fuel cell for a military contract.

·   Developed and assembled critical components for fuel cell technologies.

·   Conducted experimental set up, including initiation testing on fuel cell components.

·   Assisted in various chemical techniques such as solvent recycling, chemical cleaning, waste stream

    management, and solvent characterization and disposal.

·   Provided proper documentation of experiments and laboratory activities