Amanda Cherry Email & Phone Number

Research carried out as a government contractor with for Leidos Biomedical encompassed the set-up and validation of a new, DNA sequencing lab within the molecular genetics branch of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) within the NIH. Our goal is to provide doctors and oncologists with novel, personalized therapeutic or treatment options based on the identification and exploitation of variants (genetic mutations) identified via DNA sequencing. Thousands of people, each suffering from the same type of cancer or even the same sub-type, still present with unique, individual, and differing variants that are specific to them and them alone. While a portion of these mutations are useless, others however have the potential to supply us previously untapped knowledge into the unique genetic composition of tumor cells a profile which differs person to person; these tumor genes including the variants within them regulate everything from the cancer’s growth to its development and metastasis. When correctly exploited, targeting of these variants in some way may provide novel methods for new, personalized treatments, not involving harsh radiation and chemotherapy. Targeting mutations within the tumor cells and their unique weaknesses spanning susceptibility to certain drugs to an inability to protect itself from other targeted treatments. I preformed DNA & RNA extractions, from FFPE tissues then sequenced the extracted DNA My achievements have been the result of years of hard work through my B.S and M.S programs, along with two intensive internships. I was fortunate enough to publish, along with my lab mates only 8 months after starting in my Masters program at VCU.

Listed skills include Molecular Biology, Developmental Biology, Polymerase Chain Reaction, Dna Extraction, and 3 others.