Experience
Education
In 2021, I became a Bachelor of Science with High Distinction and Honors in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Since 2024, I have been studying to become a Doctor of Medicine and a Doctor of Philosophy through the University of Michigan Medical Scientist Training Program.
Experience
2021-present. Postbaccalaureate Fellow, National Institutes of Health.
Molecular biologist and lead genetic engineer for iPSC Neurodegenerative Disease Initiative (iNDI).
Co-managed team of four to develop inducible CRISPR inhibition in iPSC-derived neurons.
Trained 7 persons in molecular cloning techniques, including 3 postdoctoral fellows.
Independently mentored a Health Disparities Scholar summer intern.
Designed and created more than 110 plasmids (more than 50% of iNDI’s archive).
Wrote Python-based bioinformatic tool to optimize protein expression in inducible genetic circuits.
Presented for iNDI at Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and Packard Center conferences.
Acted as consultant to researchers at Cambridge University, UCSF, CHOP, and Stanford on theory and application of iNDI tools.
Summer 2018 and 2019. Intern, National Institutes of Health.
2019:
Independently developed a way to mark and sort fixed iPSC-derived neurons, a project which two graduate students considered impossible.
Collaborated with artificial intelligence researcher by producing training datasets for neural network to conduct automated phenotype analysis.
2018:
Learned Python from scratch in order to create computational model of the protein annexin A11.
Engineered human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line to achieve rapid insertion of transgenes into CLYBL locus with simple viral transduction, rather than long, complex process of transfection and selection.
2018-2021. Honors Fellow, University of Michigan Department of Neurology.
Genetically engineered iPSC line to produce recombinant fusion protein in order to study ALS biology.
Set own schedule and worked independently.
Became proficient at technical writing while composing 60-page thesis.
2017. Intern, Michigan State University Department of Translational Science and Molecular Medicine
Purified proteins and performed quantitative immunostaining to determine chromatin methylation states.
Mastered mammalian cell culture, DNA/RNA manipulation, and confocal microscopy.
2016. Professorial Assistant, Michigan State University Department of Biochemistry
Applied skills in biology and chemistry in a practical setting.
Studied effect of mutations in bacterium M. xanthus.
Developed superb sterile technique and maintained 100% sterility of experiments in an environment rife with bacterial aerosols.
Publications
Honors and awards
Barry M. Goldwater Scholar in Science, Engineering, and Mathematics
Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma Xi, and Phi Kappa Phi
James B. Angell Scholar
Exceptional Summer Student Award, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke