Experience

Caltech

• United States
• Research Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Graduate Student

  • Sep 2017 - Present

  Bioengineering, Elowitz Lab Bioengineering, Elowitz Lab



Northwestern University - The Feinberg School of Medicine

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Research Technologist II

  • Feb 2016 - Aug 2017

  Developed a microfluidic platform for optimizing medium conditions during stem cell differentiation. Analyzed RNA-seq data to investigate mouse and human inner ear tissue development. Contributed to developing a method for differentiation of human pluripotent cells to auditory neurons. Cultured derived auditory neurons on 3D hydrogel scaffolds. Worked with doctors and nurses to obtain sensitive tissue samples from human patients for RNA sequencing. Maintained and genotyped mouse… Show more Developed a microfluidic platform for optimizing medium conditions during stem cell differentiation. Analyzed RNA-seq data to investigate mouse and human inner ear tissue development. Contributed to developing a method for differentiation of human pluripotent cells to auditory neurons. Cultured derived auditory neurons on 3D hydrogel scaffolds. Worked with doctors and nurses to obtain sensitive tissue samples from human patients for RNA sequencing. Maintained and genotyped mouse and rat colonies. Wrote and edited portions of manuscripts and an NIH R01 grant proposal. Show less Developed a microfluidic platform for optimizing medium conditions during stem cell differentiation. Analyzed RNA-seq data to investigate mouse and human inner ear tissue development. Contributed to developing a method for differentiation of human pluripotent cells to auditory neurons. Cultured derived auditory neurons on 3D hydrogel scaffolds. Worked with doctors and nurses to obtain sensitive tissue samples from human patients for RNA sequencing. Maintained and genotyped mouse… Show more Developed a microfluidic platform for optimizing medium conditions during stem cell differentiation. Analyzed RNA-seq data to investigate mouse and human inner ear tissue development. Contributed to developing a method for differentiation of human pluripotent cells to auditory neurons. Cultured derived auditory neurons on 3D hydrogel scaffolds. Worked with doctors and nurses to obtain sensitive tissue samples from human patients for RNA sequencing. Maintained and genotyped mouse and rat colonies. Wrote and edited portions of manuscripts and an NIH R01 grant proposal. Show less



University of Colorado Boulder

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Teaching Assistant and Assisstant Lab Coordinator (Physics 1140)

  • Jan 2013 - Aug 2015

  Created and wrote the Filters and Complex Impedance experiment, currently in use in the Experimental Physics 1 lab course. Designed and built several electrocardiogram devices for use in lab courses as part of an integrated team. Maintained and repaired electronic lab equipment and computers. Updated lab and tutorial documents for use in the Experimental Physics 1 course. Led a section of students as a teaching assistant for the Experimental Physics 1 course. Assisted other TAs… Show more Created and wrote the Filters and Complex Impedance experiment, currently in use in the Experimental Physics 1 lab course. Designed and built several electrocardiogram devices for use in lab courses as part of an integrated team. Maintained and repaired electronic lab equipment and computers. Updated lab and tutorial documents for use in the Experimental Physics 1 course. Led a section of students as a teaching assistant for the Experimental Physics 1 course. Assisted other TAs in running their sections for various lab courses.

• Undergraduate Research Assistant and Senior Thesis Student

  • Aug 2014 - May 2015

  Performed research leading to two external, peer-reviewed publications and a senior thesis document with accompanying presentation. Created and characterized optically diffracting, biosensing polyacrylamide hydrogels. Optimized hydrogel sensitivity by adjusting material properties. Expanded hydrogel utility using interpenetrating polymer networks.

• Undergraduate Research Assistant

  • Jun 2011 - Feb 2013

  Studied the signal transduction pathway in E. coli chemotaxis through in vitro experimentation, utilizing fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). Designed, expressed, and purified recombinant soluble and membrane bound protein mutants. Performed kinase activity assays using radiolabled ATP. Probed the role of phosphotidyl-serine in the membrane docking geometry of signaling protein GRP1. Leveraged disulfide chemistry to spin label… Show more Studied the signal transduction pathway in E. coli chemotaxis through in vitro experimentation, utilizing fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). Designed, expressed, and purified recombinant soluble and membrane bound protein mutants. Performed kinase activity assays using radiolabled ATP. Probed the role of phosphotidyl-serine in the membrane docking geometry of signaling protein GRP1. Leveraged disulfide chemistry to spin label single-cysteine protein mutants for EPR spectroscopy. Performed EPR power saturation experiments to determine the depth of docked protein residues.



Genentech

• United States
• Biotechnology Research
• 700 & Above Employee

• Process Development Engineering Intern

  • May 2014 - Aug 2014

  Performed FTIR, SEM, EDX and various microscopic measurements to understand staining of rubber surfaces by process soils in collaboration with groups in several departments. Collected morphology data used to predict and understand bioprocess soil cleanability. Developed efficient buffer exchange and concentration schemes to create high-concentration protein solutions. Evaluated a bench-scale spray-ball cleaning model by performing small scale tank clean-in-place procedures. Performed FTIR, SEM, EDX and various microscopic measurements to understand staining of rubber surfaces by process soils in collaboration with groups in several departments. Collected morphology data used to predict and understand bioprocess soil cleanability. Developed efficient buffer exchange and concentration schemes to create high-concentration protein solutions. Evaluated a bench-scale spray-ball cleaning model by performing small scale tank clean-in-place procedures.