Skye Souter-Cherry, Ph.D. Email & Phone Number

Cambridge, Ma

Addgene is a non-profit plasmid repository dedicated to accelerating research and discovery by storing, quality-controlling, and distributing plasmid DNA constructs and related products, making these reagents more accessible to researchers worldwide. In addition, they produce instructional videos, blogs, and e-books aimed at educating the scientific community about important techniques and new developments in research.My responsibilities included:- Developing, troubleshooting, and upgrading high-throughput DNA purification methods- Making recommendations on protocols, standard operating procedures, and equipment- Integrating developed procedures into the workflow by training staff on the use of new protocols and lab equipment- Presenting data and project status updates at company meetings

Boston, Massachusetts

Pathogenic bacteria that infect the human digestive system often invade or otherwise manipulate intestinal cells to replicate and spread. E.coli, Shigella, and Salmonella feature a Type III secretion system, a syringe-like device that allows bacteria to inject proteins directly into human cells. Once inside, these proteins hijack the cellular machinery in a variety of ways; these include rearranging the cellular skeleton, preventing cell death, and modifying cellular proteins. These proteins are often toxic to cells and can trigger inflammation within the gut. The Lesser lab uses several innovative approaches to determine the specific role of each bacterial protein, and how the Type III secretion system itself can be modified to bio-engineer protein delivery systems and other potentially beneficial bacteria.My responsibilities included:- Writing grant applications- Editing scientific manuscripts, posters, and abstracts- Presenting research at lab meetings, department seminars, and local conferences- Supervising a summer undergraduate student- Operating and training colleagues to operate laboratory robotics- Designing and performing experiments to rapidly test how bacterial proteins trigger cell death in both mammalian and yeast cells

Worcester, Massachusetts

The protein p53 is responsible for preventing cells with damaged DNA from replicating. It can halt cell growth until the damage is repaired, or in cases of severe damage will instruct a cell to commit suicide. Mutations that inactivate p53 are commonly detected in human cancer. Recent research suggests that p53 may also play an additional and more direct role in DNA repair by assisting in attaching broken pieces of DNA to each other. The Brodsky lab uses fruit flies to investigate how p53 affects DNA break repair following radiation.My responsibilities included:- Presenting research at lab and program meetings- Writing abstracts for scientific presentations- Generating p53 mutations and measuring their effects on chromosome break repair- Designing experiments and reagents to quickly identify other proteins that interact with p53

Iowa City, Iowa

Microtubules are one of the three major components of the cellular skeleton, involved in both maintaining cell shape and allowing transport of materials throughout the cell. They are particularly important in neurons, as they form the scaffold along which neurotransmitters are delivered within axons. Tau, a protein that normally binds to and stabilizes microtubules, also plays a role in early neuron development by promoting axon growth. Tau also improperly aggregates during the development of Alzheimer's Disease, and the resulting "neurofibrillary tangles" contribute to neuronal death and dementia. The Lee Lab investigates how tau interacts with additional proteins inside the cell, and whether these interactions contribute to both neuronal development and AD pathology.My responsibilities included:- Writing scientific grants and manuscripts- Editing grants, manuscripts, posters, and abstracts- Presenting research at lab meetings, program seminars, program retreats, and national conferences- Serving as a teaching assistant for a graduate-level cell biology class- Designing and performing experiments to investigate tau function in neurons and prostate cancer cells

Medford, Massachusetts

In numerous species, male and female organisms have a different number of X chromosomes. To correct this difference, gene expression throughout the entire chromosome is altered in one of the sexes in a process called dosage compensation. This is accomplished in different ways depending on the species: human females shut down nearly all genes from one of two X chromosomes, while male fruit flies double gene expression from a single X chromosome. Despite these different strategies, research has shown that both processes involve protein/RNA complexes that change the chromosome structure and make the DNA within either more or less accessible. The Meller Lab investigates how specific RNA molecules promote dosage compensation in fruit flies.My responsibilities included:- Ordering and keeping an inventory of all lab supplies- Keeping the lab work spaces organized- Supervising and designing experiments for a summer undergraduate student- Presenting research at lab meetings- Generating RNA mutations and measuring their effects on male viability

Framingham, Massachusetts

When there is insufficient blood supply or circulation, organs and tissues are deprived of oxygen for extended periods of time. Sudden reintroduction of oxygen sometimes results in inflammation and oxidative damage, a phenomenon called ischemia-reperfusion injury. The Ledbetter lab used cell culture and animal models to investigate the potential of the growth factor TGF-beta to reduce this damage.My responsibilities included:- Observing and assisting lab personnel- Isolating and culturing cells from rat livers- Performing experiments to determine if TGF-beta extended the longevity of cultured rat liver cells

Southborough, Massachusetts

My responsibilities included:- Observing and assisting lab personnel- Extracting DNA from bacteria

Doctor Of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Molecular & Cellular Biology

Activities and Societies: MCB Admissions committee, MCB Retreat committee, MCB Seminar & Workshop committee, Tae Kwon Do Club

Bachelor'S Degree, Chemistry

Activities and Societies: Glee Club, College Choir, Wind Ensemble, Science Fiction and Fantasy Society, Fencing Club

Chemistry, Physics, And Environmental Science

Junior Year Abroad

High School

Activities and Societies: Academic Decathlon, Science Olympiad, Math Team, National Honor Society, Spanish Club, Band, Orchestra, Chorus