Title: Research Technician

Conducted novel in vivo and in vitro research aimed at studying the molecular mechanisms driving neurotrophic factor mediated photoreceptor survival in the mammalian retina. The findings of this work have direct clinical implications since they offer insight into the treatment of retinal dystrophies such as retinitis pigmentosa and macular degeneration. Additional molecular techniques were developed to study growth factor receptor responses at the single cell level. It is through the collection and isolation of single retinal cell types that I have been able to create cDNA pools that are actively being studied by candidate gene PCR and microarray analysis.

I have gained expertise in various laboratory techniques some of which include: Single cell microcapture, microdissections, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), primer design, gene subcloning, recombinant plasmid construction, plasmid mini- and maxi-prep, DNA sequencing, synthesis of DNA and RNA probes, in situ hybridization, Northern hybridization, histological staining, immunohistochemistry using bright field and fluorescence microscopy, image analysis using Image Pro and SPOT RT software, genotyping of transgenic mouse lines, primary organ cultures, and intra-vitreal microinjections.

Title: Lab Technician / Research Assistant

My research in the Department of Biochemical Pharmacology at SUNY Buffalo focused on the role that retinoic acid plays in the differentiation of uncommitted stem cells into a pathway that commits them to neuronal phenotypes. Emphasis was placed upon expression of Protein Kinase C isotypes. Other responsibilities were to manage laboratory inventory, making reagents and solutions when necessary, and ordering.
Some of the techniques used were PCR, restriction analysis, ligation, electroporation, cDNA library synthesis via (RT) reverse transcription, plasmid contruction and miniprep, production of radiolabelled probes DNA, RNA, and protein extraction and isolation, spectrophotometry (UV/VIS), Lowry assay, microscopy, Northern and Western Hybridization, autoradiography, agarose and SDS-PAGE electrophoresis, routine cell culture, cell counting, preparation of media and reagents for general lab use, radiation wipe test surveys, autoclaving.

Masters of Science in Biotechnology,

Double degree: Bachelors of Science in Biology and Biochemical Pharmacology

Course: Biochemistry of Marine Animals.