Ricardo Mercado Email & Phone Number

Seattle, Washington, United States

Portland, Oregon, United States

PI: Julia Maxson, PhD I worked independently as a postbaccaleaurate scholar, focusing on how RUNX1 mutations affect the disease systemic mastocytosis (SM), which is the abnormal growth of mast cells. I used a Lenti-X CRISPR/Cas9 system in the HMC-1.2 cell line (human mastocytosis cell line), where I modeled commonly occurring truncating RUNX1 mutations identified in patients. Through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and tracking indels by decomposition (TIDE) analysis, I verified that I successfully modified the RUNX1 gene. A western blot confirmed the disruption of the RUNX1 gene at the protein level. I had also created a single clone of my RUNX1 mutated cells. Using this newly created cell line I completed various cellular assays to find that RUNX1 mutations can affect cell proliferation rate and sensitivity to avapritinib (a drug used to treat SM).

Ellensburg, Washington, United States

Supervisor: Elaina Martinez, BSI efficiently performed lab technician duties with minimal supervision, including preparing bacterial reagents, media preparation, testing pool samples, general laboratory maintenance, restocking laboratory supplies, and sterilizing lab equipment using an autoclave for lab-based biology courses. I also took responsibility for disposing of biohazardous waste and maintaining and calibrating confocal microscopes.

Ellensburg, Washington, United States

PI: Lucinda Carnell, PhD & April Binder, PhDMy research focused on whether the non-phthalate plasticizer ATBC can affect the growth and development of mouse reproductive cells. During this project, I wrote the methods sections of our grant that funded this project. I also took the initiative to teach two other lab members how to culture mammalian cells, demonstrating my leadership and mentoring skills. Lastly, I performed cell proliferation assays and statistical analysis using the R programming language. We found that exposure to ATCB was cytotoxic.

Ellensburg, Washington, United States

PI: Lucinda Carnell, PhDI worked independently to research the transgenerational effects of chronic elevation of serotonin in C. elegans. I conducted each step of the project, from creating primary growth media for C. elegans to performing statistical analyses in R. Notably, I discovered that future generations had an altered response to serotonin despite not being exposed to it, indicating epigenetic inheritance of the serotonin response.

Seattle, Washington, United States

PI: Anthony Rongvaux, PhDI researched the role of Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) in melanoma. Our central question was whether the loss of MITF would inhibit tumor formation in mice. To answer this, I used electroporation-based CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing on Me275, a human melanoma cell line, to generate MITF-deficient cells. I successfully modified Me275 and measured MITF levels with MITF-specific fluorescence antibodies and a flow cytometry. Our findings indicated that the loss of expression of MITF and the subsequent increase in cell death suggest that MITF is crucial for the survival of the melanoma cell line.

United States

Course Director: Anthony Diaz, PhDI was responsible for ensuring the laboratory safety of 15-20 students for one section of an introductorychemistry course (Chemistry 182). I successfully implemented proper waste disposal, cleaning protocols, and proper use of laboratory equipment. I also prepared experiments and effectively troubleshooted problems that arose, contributing to a smooth learning experience for the students. This experience has enhanced my understanding of chemistry and developed my classroom management and student engagement skills.

Yakima, Washington, United States

PI: Claire Carpenter, MSI worked to understand how Zophobas morio digested polystyrene and obtained nitrogen despite a nitrogen-deficient diet. I successfully created standard and non-standard bacterial media for biochemical testing of bacteria. I successfully isolated two gram-negative bacteria that could digest polystyrene, and one of the two was able to fix nitrogen. Zophobas morio was accumulating other organic matter in the absence of nitrogen, and it appeared to get nitrogen from its gut bacteria. The discovery of these bacteria may have bioremediation implications.

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Cell/Cellular And Molecular Biology

Associate Of Arts - Aa, Biology/Biological Sciences, General, 3.66