Cheri Sirois Email & Phone Number

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

Greater Boston Area

Springfield, Massachusetts Area

Quito - Ecuador

Quito, Ecuador

The Master's Program in Biomedical Science was a first-of-its-kind program in Ecuador to train graduate students in lab-based biomedical research. With a student:faculty ratio of nearly 1:1, this selective program aimed to involve students in high-impact research studies, where they played key roles and developed autonomy as scientific thinkers and project leaders. My role as director was to guide the academics of the program, handle the administrative logistics, and move the program forward. In conjunction with a fantastic group of professors, I mentored the graduate students, taught courses in immunology, cell biology, and scientific writing, coordinated our internal seminar series, and led a research program. This has been a labor of love, where doing science and helping others grow as scientists is a source of great satisfaction.http://www.udla.edu.ec/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/DIGITAL-BIOMEDICAS.pdf

Quito, Ecuador

My work at the UDLA involved teaching immunology, microbiology, and general biology courses in the College of Health Sciences, driving a research program in the Center for Translational Research and conducting training workshops on academic writing.

Cambridge, Massachusetts, Usa

The Centers for Therapeutic Innovation at Pfizer were created with the mission of bridging the gap between academia and industry to facilitate the development of promising biological drug candidates. This pioneering mission values the strong science generated in university labs and aims to translate those advances into useful treatments for human diseases. In this unique environment, I worked in the Boston lab as a postdoctoral researcher on an independent project studying the roles of dendritic cells in sensing nucleic acids and mediating autoimmune diseases. http://www.pfizer.com/research/partnering/centers_for_therapeutic_innovation.jsp

Worcester, Massachusetts, United States

In the laboratory of Eicke Latz, MD, PhD, in the Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, I examined the molecular basis of how the innate immune system recognizes and distinguishes nucleic acids derived from invading pathogens and altered states of self. My work identified a novel role for the protein RAGE as a receptor for nucleic acids. In collaboration with a stellar group of colleagues, I studied a variety of synthetic and natural nucleic acid ligands in their interactions with innate immune receptor proteins, including TLR9, TLR7, AIM2 and IFI16. I also collaborated in numerous intramural and extramural projects related to inflammasome activation pathways, immune pattern recognition and application of fluorescence technologies.

Worcester, Massachusetts, Usa

(Concurrent with PhD candidate work.) General laboratory management including purchasing, inventory maintenance, equipment maintenance and mentoring of new personnel.

Worcester, Massachusetts, United States

Taught small group tutorial sessions for the Scientific Writing course for PhD and MD/PhD students, summers of academic years 2008, 2009 and 2010. Prepared and conducted weekly 2-hour class sessions for 6-12 students, specializing in groups of non-native-English writers. Provided constructive editing and grading for weekly writing assignments including research proposals and papers. Actively contributed to curriculum development and course re-organization.

Quito, Ecuador

Studied how early childhood colonization by intestinal worm parasites influences the severity of diarrheal infections. Established, stocked and operated a clinical microbiology laboratory at a private rural hospital in the subtropical coastal region of Ecuador. Was responsible for the recruitment of patients to a case-control study at two clinical centers. Conducted all patient sample collection and analysis, including climate-controlled sample transport. Identified causal pathogens in patient samples (feces, urine, blood, sputum, lesion exudates) using differential microbial culture techniques. Developed proficiency in isolating and identifying helminth eggs in human stool samples by light microscopy. Conducted diagnostic exams for protozoan parasites including isolation and identification of Leishmania sp. from skin lesions and malaria diagnosis from blood smears. Developed and applied phlebotomy skills in clinical and laboratory settings. As a laboratory instructor, prepared and conducted laboratory exercises and case study sessions for undergraduate students of medicine, biotechnology and biology. Primary language for all studies and instruction was Spanish.

Quito, Ecuador

Prepared and conducted 3 daily 2-hour language and writing courses for adult professionals (over 40 students taught, 8-12 per class). Designed, edited and graded all course activities and assignments. Emphasis on creative and varied learning activities.

Phd, Biomedical Sciences

Laboratory of Eicke Latz, focused on TLR9/7, inflammasomes, high resolution imaging Dissertation: Nucleic acid sensing by the immune.

Microbiology

Masters level studies in clinical microbiology and parasitology.

B.S., Majors In Biology And Spanish

Activities and Societies: Dana Scholars Program