Senior Scientist I, researching ophthalmic diseases in an in vivo Translational Pharmacology Optical Imaging and Electrophysiology group.

Responsible for conducting a variety of laboratory experiments on several research projects. Performed extensive literature research, designed experiments, and optimized protocols. January 2014-April 2014• Investigated treprostinil’s role in activating Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR-α) in a liver cell model utilizing HepG2 cells as well as primary human hepatocytes, and analyzed PPAR-α mediated cytokine gene expression by qPCR . Responsible for troubleshooting protocols (RNA Isolation, cDNA Preparation, qPCR), culturing, maintaining and treating secondary cells, as well as receiving, maintaining and treating primary cells.August 2015-November 2015• Assisted in investigating the effect of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) activation on the expression of hippocampal and prefrontal cortex levels of excitatory amino acid transporter (EAAT) 1 and 3, brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF), and the associated behavioral and cognitive dysfunction in a prenatal LPS model of schizophrenia/autism. Performed qPCR methods to analyze changes in brain transporter gene expression levels in rat brain. December 2015-March 2016• Assisted in evaluating the role of proteoglycan 4 (PRG4) in controlling interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) induced osteoarthritis fibroblast-like synoviocyte (OA FLS) proliferation by troubleshooting protocols, treating OA FLS with IL-1β alone or in conjunction with PRG4 and evaluating changes in expression of inflammatory and chemokine panels. Also silenced PRG4 expression and treated with IL-1 β to assess the changes in expression of inflammatory and chemokine panels. June 2015-June 2016• Investigated the role of Heat Shock Protein 27 (HSP27) phosphorylation in modulating cellular responses to injury in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells by troubleshooting protocols, inducing oxidative stress in SH-SY5Y cells/inhibiting HSP27 phosphorylation and studying effects of HSP27 phosphorylation pattern on cellular viability.

Pharmacology Lecture Based Responsibilities:Maintained office hours to answer student lecture-based questionsProvided one on one tutoring in physiology/pathophysiology with focus in neuropharmacologyGraded examsPharmacology Laboratory Based Responsibilities:Assisted in designing the laboratory syllabus for fourth year B.S. Pharmacology/Toxicology students. Instructed third year and fourth year undergraduate B.S. Pharmacology/Toxicology students on how to perform essential molecular laboratory experiments (ELISA, Western/Southern/Northern Blotting, RNA Isolation/Quantification, cDNA preparation, HPLC, MTS assay, MitoSOX assay, Immunohistochemistry, gene expression analysis by qPCR, protein quantification by Bicinchoninic Acid (BCA) assay and protein quantification by Bradford assay). Taught students how to culture secondary cells with aseptic technique, and how to safely handle laboratory rodents.Pharmaceutical Compounding Laboratory Responsibilities:Explained laboratory protocols to third year PharmD and B.S Pharmaceutical Sciences studentsMonitored students as they prepared various drug formulations (ointments, tinctures, syrups, capsules, suppositories, lozenges)Taught aliquot/dilution-concentration/buffer systems calculationsGraded laboratory quizzes

Maintained pharmacy inventory by checking pharmaceutical stock to determine inventory levelInput customer insurance information and prescription data Received and transcribed scripts utilizing sig codesFilled and labeled prescriptions Compounded specialty medicationsEffectively communicated with physicians and health insurance agencies to resolve prescription/billing issues respectivelyContributed to team effort by accomplishing necessary tasks.