Biologics Engineering (BE)Antibody production and functional assays for multispecific antibodies

Department of Microbiology & Immunology Laboratory of ImmunopathogenesisPI: Marta CatalfamoThesis: The effect of IL-27 in HIV antigen-specific CD8 T cell function: a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of HIV infection (Under the direction of Dr. Catalfamo)• Testing the therapeutic effect of IL-27 on effector lymphocytes to target cells • Performing cytotoxic assays and multiparameter flow cytometry• In vitro isolation and purification of HIV- antigen specific cells and human immune cells • Performing in vitro T cell stimulation and expansion• Analyzing data and troubleshooting BDFACS Diva and Flow Jo• Assisting PhD students to isolate PBMCs from whole blood • Assisting PhD students with their research projects• Performing multipaneled staining• Training undergraduate students• Performing daily QC and flow cytometer cleaning

Division of Systems Immunology Department of BioinformaticsResearch mentors: Hannah DeBerg & Mario RosascoResearch: Analyzing single-cell RNAseq data from tumor-reactive CD8+ T cells using Monocle platform analysis (Under the direction of Dr. DeBerg & Dr. Rosasco) • Expertise in Monocle analysis platform to look for gene expression patterns that are biologically interesting in bladder, lung and kidney patients who had been undergoing treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy.• Focus on characterizing gene expression that is related to T cell exhaustion (eg. PDCD-1, KLRG1, TIGIT, CTLA-4, etc.) These genes encode proteins that are the targets for ICI therapy.• Compare exhausted-related genes with effector-related genes (eg. Granzymes, LGALS-1, S100A4, etc.) to observe the impact of these genes towards cancer patients. • Propose hypotheses and future study for the current single-cell RNAseq research. • Filter and normalize genes data using R towards single-cell RNAseq analysis from cancer patients.• Clean up RNAseq data annotations from BRI Genomics Core group before they are entered into BRI research database.

Department of Chemistry• One section per week with 20 students in mastering organic and general chemistry lab protocols by providing detailed explanation on processes for techniques and lab safety.• Collaborate with chemistry faculty members, teaching new ochem students the expectations and objectives of course material as well as the proper use of lab equipment.• Prepare and provide additional glassware, equipment and organic reagents of various kinds for lab experiments to be conducted by students.• Support and advice students 10 different labs relating to organic and general chemistry and ensure proper handling, storage and disposal of chemicals per SDS guidelines.• Supervise and evaluate student’s lab work and provide fair assessment.

Research mentor: Adam Glass• Expertise in the air-free, reproducible and highly regioselective synthetic transformations of functionalized benzofulvene derivatives and indenes via microwave.• Produce benzofulvenes via the simplest and inexpensive method with higher percent yield compared to other complex methods using precursors and intermediates which are difficult to synthesized.• Prioritize and utilize more environmentally benign reagents (i.e 2-MeTHF, indanone, DBU, benzaldehyde, Grignard PhMgBr)

• Practiced and gained facility clinical experience in skilled nursing long term care (LTC) by shadowing and assisting professional CNA to accomplish daily tasks for residents including residents with mental health, dementia, schizophrenia, developmental and intellectual disabilities.• Followed and applied Standard Precautions & Transmission-Based Precautions with every resident to promote safety and to prevent contagious diseases, blood, body fluids, nonintact skin and mucous membranes as if they were infected.• Encouraged, interacted and assisted the residents with activities of daily living (ADLs) including organized resident’s personal belongings, assisted with personal hygiene, provided bed bath/full bath, assisted with dining, got bed linen changed everyday to prevent pressure ulcer, assisted with personal issue if requested.• Observed, reported and informed the nurse about daily medication, behavioral and emotional changes.• Performed and assisted the nurse to keep track of resident’s vital signs to ensure good health conditions.

• Two sessions per week with 15 students in calculus-based and college-entry level physics to excel their performance in problem solving and laboratory skills.• Assist professors in lab setting, troubleshoot finicky equipment and lab report evaluator.• Support students with PASCO Capstone programming, post-lab assignments together with other devices and equipment.

• Integrated interpersonal skills to mentor different type of learners with class problems and study methods. • Mentored academic tips to help students graduate with honors degree and transfer admission processes.• Demonstrated strong communication skills by acting as a resource for students concerns by recommending books, hands-on activities, diagrams and videos that match student’s learning references. • Communicated, guided and introduced programs’ extracurricular activities to Aspire & Trio programs students by distributing flyer in STEM center.

• Prepared students to utilize problem solving methodology and techniques during tests by doing class materials together, making specific examples, detailed explanation and providing step by step diagrams/structures/rules in a specific subject that match student’s learning references.• Suggested extra and advanced problems to develop student’s confidence as well as learning ability to memorize and to apply materials.