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Maya Olcer

Maya Olcer

Research Assistant

Followers of Maya Olcer865 followers
location of Maya OlcerSt Louis, Missouri, United States

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  • Timeline

  • About me

    Research Assistant at UChicago Medicine | Teaching Assistant at Biological Sciences Division | BSCD Quantitative Biology Summer Fellowship

  • Education

    • University of Chicago

      2020 - 2024
      Bachelor of Science - BS Major: Biological Sciences with Immunology, Minor: Immunoengineering

    • UWC South East Asia

      2016 - 2020
      International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, International General Certificate of Secondary Edu. HL: Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics SL: French Lit, English Lit, Psychology

      Activities and Societies: Chair, Yoga Therapy with Tampines MINDS • Chair, High School Science Society • Tutor, French Support Lessons • Organizer and Interviewer, Admissions Committee • Founder, MinION DNA sequencer for High Schools • Communications, Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation • Catcher, U18 Softball Girls

  • Experience

    • A*STAR - Agency for Science, Technology and Research

      Jun 2018 - Sept 2018
      Research Assistant

      Designed and purified antibodies for the production of mouse monoclonal anti-ALADIN antibodies. Out of the 30 versions of the antibody two proved promising and were initiated into further research steps where they were incorporated into hybridomas.

    • SingHealth

      Apr 2019 - Aug 2019
      Research Assistant

      • Analyzed the antigen presentation capabilities of circulating pathogenic-like CD4+ T cells (CPLs) and iaTregs associated with juvenile idiopathic arthritis • Worked on the dynamics of CPLs and iaTregs in the synovial microenvironment to identify the signals that contribute to their cell fate, as well as the resulting presentation pathway and its contribution to JIA’s pathogenesis.

    • A*STAR - Agency for Science, Technology and Research

      Jul 2020 - Sept 2020
      COVID-19 Laboratory Technician

      • Joined the Singapore task force against SARS-CoV-2 in Ministry of Health regulated laboratory.• Trained to operate every step of the testing line, from sample documentation and viral inactivation to RNA extraction and qPCR result interpretation.• Worked in R&D for optimization of Isothermal Amplification-Real TimeFluorescence Assay.

    • UChicago Medicine

      Nov 2020 - now
      Undergraduate Research Assistant

      Working under Dr. Reder investigating the IFN pathway in MS patients at the Surgery Brain Research Institute, project focusing on comparing Avonex and Plegridy (IFNb treatments in MS) by establishing an immune signature

    • University of Chicago

      Feb 2021 - now

      Lecture, laboratory and grading teaching assistant for BIOS 14100 - Inquiry-based Exploration of Biology and BIOS 20186 Fundamentals of Cell and Molecular Biology, BIOS 20187 Fundamentals of Genetics, BIOS 20189 Fundamentals of Developmental Biology at UChicago Biological Sciences Collegiate Division. Student worker in the admissions office, conducting campus tours, information sessions Q&As with prospective students.

      • Teaching Assistant

        Sept 2021 - now

      • Student Visit Coordinator

        Feb 2021 - now

    • A*STAR Infectious Diseases Labs - ID Labs

      Jun 2022 - Sept 2022
      Research Assistant

      Working under Dr. Laurent Rénia to characterize memory B cells after SARS-CoV 2 infection or vaccination in different population groups through flow cytometry and ELISpot.

  • Licenses & Certifications

    • Safety orientation for biomedical research

      SingHealth

  • Honors & Awards

    • Awarded to Maya Olcer
      McDonnell Fellowship McDonnell International Scholars Academy Aug 2024 Selected as one of 25 students from 1800 applicants to be awarded the McDonnell Fellowship. This award provides full funding (stipend + tuition, totaling $515,000) for the duration of the PhD program and prepares students to be the next generation of leaders with a focus in interdisciplinary and international efforts.
    • Awarded to Maya Olcer
      Dean's List Office of the University Registrar Jun 2024 2023-2024 Academic year
    • Awarded to Maya Olcer
      BSCD Quantitative Biology Summer Fellowship University of Chicago's Biological Sciences Collegiate Division Jun 2023 Selected to join 2023 fellowship cohort. Focused on developing bioinformatic skills and learning new quantitative methods. Funding ($5500 + $1500) awarded to support BS thesis conducted at RederLab investigating the IFN signature and immune profile of multiple sclerosis patients.
    • Awarded to Maya Olcer
      Speaker at Undergraduate Research Symposium University of Chicago 2023 College Center for Research and Fellowships Apr 2023 Abstract and poster selected for annual undergraduate research symposium. "Characterizing SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Specific Memory B Cells through Flow Cytometry and ELISpot"
    • Awarded to Maya Olcer
      Selected speaker at Midstates Undergraduate Research Symposium in Biological Sciences and Psychology 2022 Midstates Consortium for Mathematics and Science Nov 2022 "Characterizing SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Specific Memory B Cells through Flow Cytometry and ELISpot" poster selected and presented.
    • Awarded to Maya Olcer
      Jeff Metcalf Fellowship Grant The University of Chicago - Jeff Metcalf Internship Program May 2022 Awarded highest possible grant amount to support research internship at A*STAR Infectious Diseases Labs in Singapore
    • Awarded to Maya Olcer
      Speaker at Undergraduate Research Symposium University of Chicago 2022 College Center for Research and Fellowships May 2022 Abstract and poster selected for annual undergraduate research symposium. "Establishing the Immune Signature of Multiple Sclerosis IFN Treatments"
    • Awarded to Maya Olcer
      ECI-ACS Outstanding Presentation Award American Chemical Society Nov 2021 Invited to present at the 2021 ECI-ACS Undergraduate Research Conference hosted by the University of Illinois (virtually) and subsequently awarded the Outstanding Presentation Award.
    • Awarded to Maya Olcer
      Selected speaker at Midstates 2021 Midstates Consortium for Mathematics and Science Nov 2021 Selected to represent the University of Chicago at the 2021 Midstates Consortium for Mathematics and Science - Undergraduate Research Symposium in Biological Sciences and Psychology hosted by Washington University in Saint Louis (Virtual)
    • Awarded to Maya Olcer
      Invited speaker at 9th Annual Meeting of the International Cytokine & Interferon Society International Cytokine & Interferon Society Oct 2021 Presented research virtually at the 9th Annual Meeting of the International Cytokine & Interferon Society in Cardiff, Wales.
    • Awarded to Maya Olcer
      BSCD Developmental Neurobiology Undergraduate Fellowship University of Chicago's Biological Sciences Collegiate Division May 2021 10 week fellowship with $5000 + $1200 stipend awarded to continue research over the summer with research symposium at end of program. Project focusing on comparing Avonex and Plegridy (IFNb treatments in MS) by establishing an immune signature.

  • Volunteer Experience

    • Committee Member

      Issued by The American Association of Immunologists on Aug 2025
      The American Association of ImmunologistsAssociated with Maya Olcer

    • Elementary School Tutor

      Issued by Neighborhood Schools Program on Jan 2022
      Neighborhood Schools ProgramAssociated with Maya Olcer

    • Mentor

      Issued by Illinois Science and Technology Coalition on Aug 2022
      Illinois Science and Technology CoalitionAssociated with Maya Olcer

    • International Student Advisory Committee

      Issued by University of Chicago on Nov 2020
      University of ChicagoAssociated with Maya Olcer

    • Chairperson

      Issued by Yoga Therapy with Tampines MINDS on Sept 2018
      Yoga Therapy with Tampines MINDSAssociated with Maya Olcer

    • Chairperson

      Issued by High School Science Society on Sept 2016
      High School Science SocietyAssociated with Maya Olcer

    • Student Tutor

      Issued by French Support Lessons on Sept 2018
      French Support LessonsAssociated with Maya Olcer