Natalie Wallace Email and Phone Number

Vanderbilt Collaborative for STEM Education and OutreachCo-instructor in Metro Nashville Public Schools for the Interdisciplinary Science and Research program. Working collaboratively to enhance student engagement and excitement for STEM.

Spearheaded original research on membrane trafficking coat complexes in rare neurological diseases, building upon graduate research expertise. Led peer review navigation for a first-author publication in a high-impact journal, showcasing effective communication and leadership skills. Mentored a diverse collaborative research team comprising 1 Ph.D., 2 M.Sc., and 1 undergraduate student, fostering a culture of scientific excellence and teamwork. Provided valuable feedback on scientific writing and presentations, aiding in the success of 1 Ph.D. candidacy exam, the submission of 1 predoctoral fellowship application, and the delivery of 2 scientific poster presentations at local and national conferences, demonstrating a commitment to mentorship and professional development.

Advisor: Dr. Lauren P. JacksonArea: intracellular trafficking; autophagy; protein biochemistry; cell biologyThesis: The Role of Tepsin in Membrane Trafficking and AutophagyConducted research on intracellular transport and autophagy pathways in rare neurological diseases, resulting in 2 first/co-first author publications. Played a vital role in securing $2.5 million in NIH grant renewals through strong grant-writing and project management skills. Established experimental protocols for cell-biological and immunofluorescence microscopy assays, ensuring precise data collection. Mentored 3 undergraduates, fostering scientific skills leading to 2 authorships, 2 acceptances into medical/graduate schools, and 1 NIH T34 MARC scholarship.

Course: Biochemistry (BSCI 2520)Developed comprehensive educational materials to facilitate monthly review sessions for a diverse cohort of 75+ students, enhancing understanding of complex lecture topics. Identified and addressed gaps in student comprehension by collaborating closely with faculty, adapting course materials to meet evolving learning needs. Provided individualized guidance and support to students on STEM academics during weekly office hours, clarifying biochemical concepts and fostering academic growth. Successfully transitioned exams to a virtual format amidst the global pandemic, effectively managing 100+ students over Zoom with the guidance of a faculty mentor, demonstrating adaptability and strong organizational skills.

I work as the co-host, producer, and audio engineer for the How Real is that Science? Podcast. I co-founded this podcast to explore the interplay of science with pop-culture media. I research diverse topics prevalent in pop-culture and the science that is related to them, then distill this information for consumption by the general public. In addition to researching episode topics and scientific fact checking, I help manage social media accounts for the podcast to promote engagement with the public. I also serve as the audio engineer to edit and compile our episodes for distribution.

Laboratory of Dr. Anne PrietoArea: molecular neuroscience; cell signaling; receptor tyrosine kinasesInvestigated the signaling pathways of Tyro3, a receptor tyrosine kinase, in neurite outgrowth, building upon undergraduate honors thesis research. Played a vital role in data analysis, interpretation, and manuscript preparation, offering critical insights into the functional role of Tyro3 in neuronal development, and aiding in the dissemination of research findings. Provided mentorship to 3 undergraduate students, guiding them in experimental design and data analysis.

Mentor: Dr. Anne PrietoArea: molecular neuroscience; cell signaling; receptor tyrosine kinases; neuronal developmentHonors Thesis: Analyzing the functional role of the receptor tyrosine kinase, Tyro3, in neurite outgrowthInvestigated the functional role of Tyro3, a receptor tyrosine kinase, advancing understanding of receptor regulation and uncovering novel roles in neurite outgrowth, contributing to the field of neuronal development. Engineered stable Tyro3 over-expressing neuronal cell lines and conducted comprehensive characterization of cell physiology using biochemical assays and fluorescence imaging techniques, facilitating in-depth analysis of Tyro3-mediated cellular processes. Secured independent research funding ($4,000 total) from Harlan Laboratories and Indiana University, demonstrating grant-writing skills and project management capabilities.