Jura Lab - TETRAD Program emphasis on Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Genetics and Cell Biology.NASEM Ford Predoctoral Fellow (2021- )NIGMS IMSD Fellow (2019 - 2021)

Thesis Title: Branching Out: Filopodia as a Novel Mechanism for WNT1 TransportationLittle is known about the delivery of WNT1 ligands due to their difficulty of visualization, in vivo. This project will provide an innovative tool for visualization of WNT1 and its transporter Wntless (WLS). These tools will also allow us to confirm the use of filopodia as a mechanism of WNT1 transportation and visually see the activation take place. This knowledge will be of great use for others trying to find inhibitory targets for cancers and disorders involving the overexpression and uncontrolled transport of WNT1.Using biologically active, fluorescently-tagged WNT1 and WLS proteins, I visualized WNT1 production and transport in the chick (Gallus gallus domesticus) model. I also observed an induction of filopodia upon overexpression of WNT1 and WLS in cultured cells and in the chick spinal cord and neural crest cells. I am currently developing a novel in vivo Wnt1 signaling activity reporter through use of split-GFP-tagged fusion proteins. This will allow for visualization of ligand-receptor interaction and determine if Wnt1 transported through filopodia can activate the Wnt signalling pathway in neighboring cells. Graduate funding provided by the MBRS-RISE Fellowship & the Genentech Foundation MS Dissertation Scholarship.

Research focused on identifying alternative mechanisms of Wnt1 signaling in the chick spinal cord through the use of fluorophore-tagged proteins involved in regulating Wnt1 transport. Completed and published research on Wntless-induced redistribution of WNT1 in Developmental Biology journal.Previous experience: Directed research working with Schizosaccharomyces pombe chk1 mutant fission yeast and Danio rerio (zebrafish). Undergraduate funding by NIH-MARC and NIH-Bridges to Baccalaureate Fellowships

- Data entry and file management.- Training and supervision of new employees.- Primary focus on checks reconcilement and fraud management.- Managed check processing accounts for Wells Fargo, Bank of Meriwest and other smaller banks in the West coast.

- Directly supervised 12 at-risk middle-school students during various community service projects.- Organized several program-wide events and designed service projects serving the Mission and Bay View-Hunter's Point districts of San Francisco, California.- Collaborated with parents and teachers to improve the academic performance of participants.- Facilitated daily study labs and various volunteer and program development workshops.- Developed and coordinated collaborations with other sponsors, educational institutions and non-profit organizations.