*Trained and advised senior graduate students on protocol development and analysis of NGS data sets (scRNAseq, RNAseq, and miRNAseq) from embryonic stem-cell-derived microglia infected with HIV and extracellular vesicles. *Generated pipeline for investigating the oncolytic capacity of Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) for gene delivery systems using RNAseq data and discrete dynamic network models.*Evaluated SARS-CoV-2-related cytokine profiling of transduced lung epithelial… Show more *Trained and advised senior graduate students on protocol development and analysis of NGS data sets (scRNAseq, RNAseq, and miRNAseq) from embryonic stem-cell-derived microglia infected with HIV and extracellular vesicles. *Generated pipeline for investigating the oncolytic capacity of Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) for gene delivery systems using RNAseq data and discrete dynamic network models.*Evaluated SARS-CoV-2-related cytokine profiling of transduced lung epithelial cells to validate predicted high-impact mediators of the antiviral response using siRNA, Luminex, RT-qPCR, and Western blotting. Show less

*Manually curated gene regulatory networks from gene interaction databases and employed statistical methods for inferring novel gene interactions. Applied discrete dynamic network models, in silico perturbations, and probabilistic Boolean network analysis to discover novel antiviral mediators in SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza infections from single-cell RNA sequencing data.*Assessed SARS-CoV-2-related innate immune response of 3D lung epithelial cell model on transwells using siRNA, Luminex… Show more *Manually curated gene regulatory networks from gene interaction databases and employed statistical methods for inferring novel gene interactions. Applied discrete dynamic network models, in silico perturbations, and probabilistic Boolean network analysis to discover novel antiviral mediators in SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza infections from single-cell RNA sequencing data.*Assessed SARS-CoV-2-related innate immune response of 3D lung epithelial cell model on transwells using siRNA, Luminex, RT-qPCR, Western blotting, and scRNAseq analysis using Seurat, Harmony, Monocle, BONITA, RNA velocity and trajectory analysis.*Developed a “BSL3 to BSL2” scRNAseq and protein quantification protocol for infectious SARS-CoV-2 experiments done in BSL3.*Established and optimized a protocol for live attenuated influenza vaccine production in embryonated chicken eggs. *Created a regression-based model for elucidating associations between patient demographics and hospital admission delay for severe influenza hospitalizations using live electronic health records, geodata, and influenza surveillance data from the local county. *Mined, integrated, and analyzed public data from peripheral blood mononuclear cells to expand undirected network models for identifying gene sets associated with RSV infections. Show less

The myHub URBEST program provides instruction in leadership and professionalism including pathways in industry, manufacturing, entrepreneurship, regulatory affairs, science communication, and higher education - and creates new opportunities for experiential learning through internships and externships.

Presided over the COVID-19 Pandemic and institutional anti-racist activism. During this time, we inaugurated cultural awareness lending libraries and a quarterly fellowship newsletter. As president, I oversaw our STEM lecture series, professional development workshops, and social events. In addition, I led initiatives for improving institutional cultural inclusivity, increased startup funding by 200%, and negotiated permanent annual contributions from sponsors. Finally, I negotiated an… Show more Presided over the COVID-19 Pandemic and institutional anti-racist activism. During this time, we inaugurated cultural awareness lending libraries and a quarterly fellowship newsletter. As president, I oversaw our STEM lecture series, professional development workshops, and social events. In addition, I led initiatives for improving institutional cultural inclusivity, increased startup funding by 200%, and negotiated permanent annual contributions from sponsors. Finally, I negotiated an institutional budget reallocation for outreach activities with a proven track record of high success rates, resulting in a permanent >3200% increase in funds for those programs. Show less

A spokesperson for student interests in department administrative meetings. During my term, we inaugurated a quarterly newsletter, procured funds for student-sponsored events, and organized the 4th Annual Translational Biomedical Science Retreat.

*Developed protocols for assessing long-term alterations in motor activity in transgenic mouse models of Parkinson’s disease. *Assessed neurodegenerative lysosomal storage efficacy and mitochondrial activity in dopaminergic neurons and neural progenitors derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSCs).*Performed structural drug screen of FDA-approved compounds predicted to interact with mitochondrial and lysosomal trafficking.*Utilized confocal microscopy to… Show more *Developed protocols for assessing long-term alterations in motor activity in transgenic mouse models of Parkinson’s disease. *Assessed neurodegenerative lysosomal storage efficacy and mitochondrial activity in dopaminergic neurons and neural progenitors derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSCs).*Performed structural drug screen of FDA-approved compounds predicted to interact with mitochondrial and lysosomal trafficking.*Utilized confocal microscopy to assess drug or mutation-induced neurological dysfunction using 3D Imaris Imaging Analysis. Show less

*Elucidated RNAi-mediated silencing mechanism by unpaired DNA using PCR colony screening.*Inventoried, prepared, and organized all reagents.