Ruth Chia Email & Phone Number

Bethesda, Md, Us

Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory Of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Bethesda, Md, Usa

• Designing, executing, supervising, and managing experimental wet-bench and dry-lab projects within and across high-functioning research groups to validate variants and gene targets identified from various genetic analyses.• Strategizing, developing, and guiding the systematic generation, storage, and deployment of large-scale multi-modal data (genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics). Implementing a scalable analysis workflow in a cross-collaborative environment to support diverse operational and research goals.• Leading teams of geneticists, bioinformaticians, and data analysts in developing, deploying, and automating the quality control and analytical pipelines in a high-performance computing environment for whole genome sequencing and microarray data from over 100,000 samples to identify and annotate common and rare genetic variants that may cause or modify of disease risk for various neurodegenerative disorders.• Developing and facilitating collaborations and reporting with key local and global stakeholders across projects to ensure that goals and success metrics were met. Ensuring that projects were up-to-date and aligned with progress within the research field and that findings from each project were translated into relevant scientific publications.• Examples of projects involved in: o Genetic identification and functional characterization of mutations and genes involved in juvenile amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). o Genome-wide analysis of Lewy body and frontotemporal dementia and multiple system atrophy using whole genome sequencing data. o Large-scale genome- and transcriptome-wide analyses and data-driven prioritization of genetic targets for therapy for myasthenia gravis and ALS. o Exploring the role of autoantibodies in mediating age-related neurodegenerative diseases. o Exploring the genetic contribution of chromosome X in age-related neurodegenerative diseases.

Bethesda, Md, Usa

• Coordinating recruitment of instructors to provide trainings and lectures on various scientific topics relevant to studying brain disorders.• Developed an intra-laboratory curriculum for post-doctoral, post-baccalaureate fellows and summer interns to learn how to use various bioinformatics and data analysis tools for their research projects.

Bethesda, Md, Usa

Washington Dc

• Responsible for establishing and developing a stem cell research infrastructure for bio-banking, basic, translational and clinical studies in Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.• Provided technical training to laboratory personnel in the day-to-day maintenance of stem cells.• Initiated and mediated Material Transfer Agreements between GUMC and international collaborators (UK and Japan) for the acquisitions of 30-40 stem cell lines.• Sourced and managed external collaboration with the NIH for the characterization of stem cells resulting in research budget savings of $15,000.• Responsible for working with Facilities and Environmental, Health & Safety personnel in ensuring that all laboratory equipment are maintained and up to biosafety codes. • Managed negotiation and acquisition of laboratory equipment and reagents resulting in cost savings of over $20,000.

Bethesda, Md, Usa

• Investigated how mutations in a gene called LRRK2 cause Parkinson’s disease by using high-throughput proteomics, pharmacological and RNAi approaches. • Sourced and awarded independent external research grant of $65,000 from the Bachmann-Strauss Dystonia and Parkinson Foundation to fund a portion of ongoing project. Prepared budget, progress and financial reports, also presented findings to the Scientific Advisory Board. • Worked independently and collaboratively to define research goals. Planned and executed experiments. Evaluated progress of each project ensuring that goals and datelines are met within budget. • Developed and written SOPs for several experimental protocols which have contributed to the development of 3-5 other projects in the laboratory. • Facilitated brainstorming sessions with colleagues, thinking laterally and developing alternative solutions to research questions resulting in 7 peer-reviewed publications – 3 as first author and 4 as co-author.

Bethesda, Md, Usa

• Coordinated a team of 10 scientists in organizing the NIH annual research competition. Served as liaison to Scientific Directors of NIH Institutes & Centers in providing updates on the competition. • Promoted and answered FAQs about the competition, and sorted more than 1000 applications into appropriate judging categories. • Coordinated judges recruitment, judging and finalizing the outcome of the competition.

Bethesda, Md, Usa

• Edited manuscripts, abstracts, book chapters, clinical protocols and grant submissions for NIH fellows.• Prepared editorial and copyedited reports of the submitted materials to authors.

Bethesda, Md, Usa

• Taught basic concepts of molecular biology and genetics to 15-20 undergraduate, graduate and mature students, some with no prior background in biology. • Prepared relevant teaching slides and quizzes, and worked closely with three other Instructors in coordinating examinations for the course.

London, United Kingdom

• Pioneered a study demonstrating an alternative pathology spread for a protein called SOD1 in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (SOD1). This study has important implications in the design of ALS-SOD1 therapeutics.• Initiated and coordinated global and local networking opportunities for collaboration to outsource scientific specialties necessary for projects. Coordinated material transfers between 7 collaborators (UK and USA), and organized periodic meetings to provide regular updates to collaborators.• Composed and edited figures, graphs and written reports for peer-reviewed publications – 3 as first author and 5 as co-author.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

• Investigated selected genes for association in causing and increasing susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus in the Malaysian population.• Coordinated patient sample collection with clinicians and nurses in the hospital for research use. • Responsible for obtaining consent forms from patients and processing of specimens.• Managed shared laboratory inventories and instrumentations. Purchased and organized lab resources to ensure quality work environment.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Determined the allelic spectrum of two types of polymorphic markers, Variable Number of Tandem Repeats (VNTR) and Short Tandem Repeats (STR) in a sampled Malaysian population. Results were evaluated for use in monitoring engraftment post-hematopoietic stem cell transplantations.

Phd, Neuroscience And Genetics

Bsc, Biomedical Sciences, First Class (Distinction)