Alexandra Polasko, Ph.D. Email & Phone Number

Palo Alto, Ca, Us

- Developing and characterizing a patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model of human benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). To produce the BPH PDX model, fresh prostate tissue will be acquired from patients and implanted at a subrenal site in immunodeficient mice.- Characterizing the role of BMP5, a stromal signature associated with BPH symptom severity and expanding fibroblasts, in a PDX of BPH and the effect of select inhibitors.

School Of Dentistry

• Mitigating the virulence of the oral pathogen and cancer accelerant, Fusobacterium nucleatum, through defining the biosynthesis pathways that generates novel lipopolysaccharide (LPS) structures. Both cell membrane integrity and LPS structures will be characterized using viable F. nucleatum mutants.• Examining the role of F. nucleatum LPS in interspecies interaction, biofilm formation and bacterial virulence with the ultimate goal of aiding the development of diagnostic, preventative, and therapeutic strategies.

Civil And Environmental Engineering

• Constructed an unconventional microbial community comprised of anaerobic (Dehalococcoides mccartyi 195) and aerobic bacteria (Pseudonocardia dioxanivorans CB1190) to remove chlorinated solvent and 1,4-dioxane mixtures over varying redox conditions. Deployed this culture to a field site in situ and successfully removed these recalcitrant pollutants from groundwater.- Inventor on a patent for the application of this culture• Characterized Psuedonocardia dioxanivorans CB1190’s ability to biodegrade the known carcinogen and water pollutant, vinyl chloride. VC incorporation by CB1190 was confirmed via metabolomics of 13C-labeled VC and tracked the production of isotopically labeled amino acids, keto acids, and sugar phosphate molecules.• Prevented pathogenic microbial attachment to surfaces via a novel superhydrophilic coating and successfully demonstrated the application of this material on Foley catheter segments and their ability to resist microbial adhesion.- Inventor on patent for the application of this material, which is now FDA-approved • Developed a multipronged approach for systematic in vitro quantification of catheter-associated biofilms.

Civil And Environmental Engineering

Performed research in Dr. Lisa Alvarez-Cohen’s laboratory, studying an isolated consortium’s capabilities to anaerobically biodegrade trichloroethene (TCE) under various environmental conditions. Studied the effects of sulfate or sulfide on TCE biodegradation by Dehalococcoides consortium. Measured TCE and byproducts of reductive dechlorination using gas chromatography. Identified sulfate and sulfide via ion chromatography as well as measured microbial populations using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Presented results at the American Geophysical Union conference.

Biodesign Institute

Performed research in Dr. Rosa Krajmalnik-Brown’s laboratory at ASU Biodesign Institute for more than 400 hours. Assisted Ph.D. student with research related to trichloroethylene anaerobic biodegradation. Performed molecular analysis of the microbial community, conducted chemical analyses using gas chromatography and ion chromatography, prepared anaerobic media, set up microcosms in anaerobic glove box, and provided assistance with reactor operation. Presented results at the Arizona Science and Engineering Fair in 2010 and 2011.

Civil And Environmental Engineering Department

Performed research for more than 15 hours per week in Dr. Craig Criddle’s laboratory at Stanford University. Assisted Ph.D. students with research related to the production of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) as a biopolymer, which is produced by many bacteria when they have access to surplus carbon but lack an essential nutrient, such as phosphorus. Under these conditions, the bacteria accumulate the carbon and store it as intracellular PHB granules. Commercially, PHB granules have value as plastics or resins, with properties similar to petrochemical plastics. Prepared anaerobic media, measured methane production using gas chromatography and monitored biomass production.

Doctor Of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Civil And Environmental Engineering, 3.80

Activities and Societies: Society of Women Engineers, UCLA's High School Online Tutoring and Mentoring Program, Engineering Graduate.

Master'S Degree, Civil Engineering, 3.80

Bachelor’S Degree, Environmental Science, 3.47

Activities and Societies: Delta Gamma, AutismSpeaks, UC Berkeley Triathlon Team