Mark Jen Email & Phone Number

Toronto, On, Ca

Nbcc, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Smart Facility, Toronto, Ontario

High-throughput screening (HTS), with the purpose of drug discoveries, utilizes automations & powerful analytic platforms to screen thousands of compounds against a reporter of interest.- Perform drug screens and consult with clients to develop, scale-up, and optimize various functional assays (ie. luciferase, cell viability, protein inhibition, transfection) using a plethora of instruments - Carry out special work order (cell seeding, compound cherrypicking etc.) upon clients request and develop new technical methodologies through software programming - Conduct statistical analysis such as determining the drug's IC50 - Perform maintenance on all lab systems including instrument quality controlInstruments handled:- Biomek Fx liquid handler (Beckman); Biomek Nx liquid handler (Beckman)- StarPlus liquid handler (Hamilton)- Multimek (pin tools) (Beckman)- Bluewasher (BlueCatBio)- EnVision Multilabel plate reader (PerkinElmer); PHERAstar plate reader (BMG)- Cytation 3 Cell Imaging Multi-Mode Reader (BioTek)- Multidrop Combi reagent dispenser (Thermo); Nanodrop Combi reagent dispenser (Thermo) - Integrated, automated platforms- control through the Momentum software (Thermo)

Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario

PI: Dr. Juan Carlos Zúñiga-PflückerI had the pleasure in supporting a +20 members research lab and a rare opportunity to purify human stem cells from cord blood that were donated immediately after a pregnancy. - Daily activities include tissue culture, inventory check, & other lab functional logistics- Routinely processed cord blood for CD34+ hemopoietic stem cells using commercial stem cell products; An averaged, purified cell count of over 200 million white cells was achieved in 60-70% of the batches processed - Independently carried out technical assignments such as interleukin recombinant cloning, plasmid purifications, & optimizing PCR protocols for large-scale mouse-tail genotyping

Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, Toronto, Ontario

PI: Dr. Alan Lazarus*Participated in The Keenan Research Summer Student Program from July to August, 2012Thesis: "Anemia mediated by an anti-erythrocyte antibody is not closely linked to the amelioration of murine immune thrombocytopenia (ITP)".Project has 3 components: To understand the pathophysiology of ITP & autoimmune hemolytic anemiaTo examining the monoclonal anti-erythrocyte antibody therapy in murine modelsTo investigate Anti-D’s mechanisms in ameliorating ITP- Trained in flow cytometry (Guava), mouse handling (including tail-vein injection), cell counting & purifications (erythrocyte & platelet) - Mentored graduate students in murine work, antibody testing, & drug dose-dependent testing - Project contributed to 3 publications

Centre For The Neurobiology Of Stress, Toronto, Ontario

Working exclusively with hormone binding assays in Dr. Rudy Boonstra laboratory, I compared the efficiency and variance of different counter methodologies in measuring hormone levels from animal blood samples.- Performed saturation binding assays with radioactive (H3) ligands to determine glucocorticoids to globulin protein binding affinity (followed UofT radiation safety guidelines)Work was published in the journal of Conservation Physiology: "Measuring Free Glucocorticoids: Quantifying CBG binding affinity and its variation within and among mammal species", B Delehanty et al. 2015

Toronto, Canada Area

As a content contributor on the cell & molecular biology laboratory manual committee, I worked on revisions in updating the cell & molecular biology course laboratory manual for the following semester.

Cell Biology Research Program, Toronto, Ontario

Working as a summer student in Dr. William Trimble laboratory, my research project examined the potential interactions (in-vivo) between Septin-5 protein and Syntaxin (Q-SNARE proteins) in the regulation of cellular exocytosis.- Performed tissue culture (PC12 & HEK293) and various molecular biology & analytical methods such as subcloning, plasmid purification, co-plasmid transfection, PCR, pull-down assay, Western blot, & TIRF microscopy

Department Of Cell And System Biology, Toronto, Ontario

I completed my Bachelor honor thesis: "Using Latex Beads to Mimic the Physical Hindrance Effect of Chlamydia trachomatis Inclusion Body on Host Cell Cytokinesis” in Dr. Rene Harrison laboratory.- Trained in tissue culture (CHO & HeLa) & fluorescence microscopy; Optimized various cell-based assays such as cell cycle synchronization, immuno-antibody staining, cellular phagocytosis of IgG opsonized beads, & live-cell imaging using time-lapse microscopyThesis served as one of the staples for the paper: “Chlamydia trachomatis Inclusions Induce Asymmetric Cleavage Furrow Formation and Ingression Failure in Host Cells”. Molecular Cell Biology, 2011

Component Pertussis (Cp) Bulk Manufacturing, Toronto, Ontario

Adhered GMPs, followed SOPs, and other internal regulations in the industrial grade production of pertussis (whooping cough) acellular vaccine. This experience cannot be a success without gracious guidance from my component pertussis head manager Mr. Dennis Yao. - Performed downstream processing of CP antigens with industrial-scale column chromatography and bio-processor in a clean room environment - Wrote a small but detailed report on the concurrent methods in the selective removal of endotoxin from protein supernatant where it was presented at the annual CP seminar

Department Of Cell And System Biology, Toronto, Ontario.

Started out as a laboratory assistant in Dr. Rene Harrison research group and progressed to be the team lead in managing bone resorption data for the joint international project: “The impact of microgravity on the cytoskeleton of bone cells”.- Quantified and provided statistical summaries for over 1000 bone resorption images taken from spaceWork was acknowledged in the paper "Effects of microgravity on osteoclast bone resorption and osteoblast cytoskeletal organization and adhesion", Bone, 2011

Cool Climate Oenology & Viticulture Institute, St. Catharines, Ontario

As the representative selected from my high school to participate in the BrockU mentorship program, I was fortunate to spend two semesters of my senior year doing cool climate winery research in Dr. Gary Pickering laboratory. - Performed laboratory analysis on the chemistry of red & white wine affected by the powdery mildew fungus (CO2, SO2, pH testing)- Put together a blind sensory wine tasting panel to examine how powdery mildew fungus can affect wine flavor profile

Master Of Science, Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology (Lmp)

Activities and Societies: LMP SoftballConferences & poster presentations: - Menard M, Jen CC, Lazarus AH. Is it necessary for therapeutic.

Life Science Enterprise

Course: 2757 - 016 - Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) & Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) - 81%

Honours Bachelor Of Science With Distinction, Cell & Molecular Biology (Specialist-Co-Op), Psychology (Minor), Final 2 Years Gpa: 3.78

Activities and Societies: UTSC Badminton club, UTSC Scartan Dragonboat team