Bethann Affeldt

Experience

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  University of California, Riversde

  Jun 2010 - Jul 2012

  Undergraduate MARC U STAR trainee

  ● Led a study of the effects of endocrine disruptors (specifically, Bisphenol-A or BPA) on hormones in the brain and demonstrated that BPA caused deficits in social memory and alters the level of the hormone vasopressin in the brains of laboratory rats● Organized and performed behavioral experiments, immunohistochemistry procedures, and processed brain tissue samples● Managed the rat colony for one year● Researched and summarized primary scientific articles to gain further understanding of the research project● Assisted in in-vivo and in-vitro experiments in both mouse and rat models● Presented research findings at two annual student research symposiums Show less

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  Loma Linda University

  Nov 2012 - Oct 2016

  ● Coordinated the collection and inventory of data sets for the two year study on behalf of the principal investigator● Managed behavioral studies; administered behavioral tests, wrote protocols, analyzed and interpreted the data for presentations and future publications● Regularly performed laboratory procedures requiring precision involving animals and animal tissues, including transcardial perfusions, dissections and processing of brain tissue samples● Mastered the performance of immunohistochemistry procedures, and analysis using Image J and Image Pro Premier software packages● Developed a novel cell counting method using Image Pro Premier software resulting in unbiased analysis: new method was adopted by all researchers within the lab● Maintained mouse colonies for research projects in the lab● Prepared data, performed statistical analysis using GraphPad Prism software, presented to the lab, and drafted figures for future publications● Acquired basic skills in interpreting MRI images using DTI (Diffusion Tensor Imaging) analysis● Trained, supervised and mentored eight volunteers and co-researchers, including high school students, college graduates and medical students● Co-authored findings in eight unique poster presentations to various audiences within the Loma Linda research community Show less ● Coordinated three two-year research projects ● Regularly performed technical laboratory procedures including PCR, western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and microscopy, as well as, extensive procedures involving animals and animal tissues, including freezing, cryosectioning, and mounting of brain tissue samples● Maintained three different transgenic mouse colonies● Managed records of all procedures and experiments, and maintained all laboratory equipment● Developed laboratory protocols and procedures to improve data quality● Collected and managed all laboratory data, data analysis and interpretation● Trained, supervised and mentored two volunteer researchers● Co-authored findings in eight unique poster presentations to various audiences within the Loma Linda research community Show less

  • Neuroscience Research Technician

    Jul 2015 - Oct 2016

  • Neuroscience Research Technician

    Nov 2012 - Jul 2015
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  Duke University Health System

  Apr 2017 - May 2022

  Investigating the relationship between the APOE genotype and late-onset Alzheimer’s Disease (April 2017-present)• Successfully cultured APOE3 and APOE4 astrocytes• Isolated and cultivated macrophages from murine bone marrow of APOE3 and APOE4 mice• Worked with human pluripotent stem cells to differentiate them into neurons• Regularly performed technical laboratory procedures including qPCR, western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and microscopy, as well as, extensive procedures involving animal brain and liver tissues, including freezing, cryosectioning, and mounting of brain and liver tissue samples• Developed protocols for and mastered several ELISA assays and related analysis• Produced protocols for the quantification of amyloid beta plaques on mouse brain tissue using Image J software• Prepared data, performed statistical analysis using GraphPad Prism software, presented to the lab, and drafted figures for future publications• Maintained a master spreadsheet for the lab that included all of the information for each sample from dissection date to when and who performed each assay on the sample Show less

  • Research Analyst I

    Jun 2020 - May 2022

  • Research Analyst I

    Apr 2017 - Jun 2020
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  Herbalife Nutrition

  May 2022 - now

  Chemist II