Kai Littlejohn

Experience

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  Mississippi State University

  May 2014 - Aug 2014

  Undergraduate Research Assistant

  Collaborated with doctoral graduate students to research possible treatments of vascularcalcification using encapsulated nanoparticlesSynthesized protein-encapsulated nanoparticles with PEGylated surfaces for drug delivery tosites of vascular calcificationCharacterized nanoparticles in terms of size, shape, and drug load

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  Northwestern University

  Jun 2015 - Aug 2015

  Undergraduate Researcher

  Demonstrated a distinct upregulation of surface channel proteins during oligodendrocyte lineageIsolated hippocampus from mice brains and cultured mRNA up to various timepointsReverse transcribed RNA to cDNA for quantitation via qRT-PCR

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  Tuskegee University Naval ROTC

  Aug 2015 - Dec 2016

  Mathematics Tutor

  Weekly tutorials ran by myself for Naval ROTC cadets seeking assistance and/or review in Analytic Geometry and Calculus Part I and II

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  University of California, San Francisco

  May 2016 - Aug 2016

  Undergraduate Researcher

  Engineered and cloned recombinant DNA plasmids for mKate-fused MMP8 enzymes for thedegradation of collagen-rich extracellular matrices of cancer cellsGrew and refolded proteins by column purification and tested enzymes on collagen

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  University of California, Berkeley

  May 2017 - Aug 2017

  Amgen Scholar

  Troubleshooted Autodesk Fusion360, Slic3r, and Biobot1 3D Printing configurations for cellular scaffoldsEngineering of acellular and cellular scaffolds for articular cartilage regeneration using desktop 3D printerIsolated articular cartilage tissue from cadavers for use in cell culture

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  Tuskegee University Naval ROTC

  Aug 2017 - Dec 2017

  Calculus Tutor

  Developed study schedules, administered practice quizzes, and aid in concept recitation in Calculus I and II for Midshipmen officers in the Naval ROTC Unit at Tuskegee University

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  FDA

  Jun 2018 - Dec 2018

  Organize, culture, and prepare Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) cell lines for various treatmentsConducted treatments of TNBC cell lines employing FDA-approved and/or all-natural remediesLabel, organize and stock laboratory materials and equipment Evaluated hemolysis assays measuring complement activation and depletion of complementproteins in serum in vitro after varying doses of nano-based products used in anticancer therapiesAided in ordering laboratory chemicals and other reagents for new and current protocolsRegularly checked inventory and cleanliness of laboratory areas

  • Research Fellow

    Sept 2018 - Dec 2018

  • ORISE Intern

    Jun 2018 - Sept 2018
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  City of Hope

  May 2019 - Jul 2020

  Manages an assigned set of multiple research protocols to assure efficiency and regulatory compliance of the protocolCoordinates with nurses, nurse managers, OT and radiology for developing workflows of study participantsMeet and exceed target accrual goals and deadlines for multiple clinical trialsSchedules patients for biospecimen collection and medical assessments Meets with and consents patientsFunctions independently and proficiently as defined in the position accountabilities. Has superb communication and problem-solving skillsSoftware used: EPIC, OnCore, Clinical Trials On-lineAssisted in several outreach events including oral presentations at local high schools to further market opportunities for research and training at City of HopeAided in the coordination of COH STEP Program’s “Saturday Science,” a school year-long, monthly event for 8-13 year olds to participate in hands on experiments and demonstrations related to various disciplines in STEMDevelop 8th grade curriculum outline for NIH-funded STEM training and education program using grant objectives and Next Generation Science Standards for the state of CaliforniaContributed to the development of a survey for teachers, students, and school administrators to assess the affect of COVID-19 on communities surrounding COH Show less Mentored rising third-year undergraduate Physiology student through the Eugene and Ruth Robert’s Summer Student Academy, a 10-week research program aimed at advanced students across the nation to take on a scientific project and immersing themselves in the laboratory setting.Coordinated experiments, oral presentation practices, and daily logistics for time in the laboratoryProvided academic and scientific guidance throughout the program including resume-editing, cell culture training, abstract writing, and pipetting exercises Show less

  • Clinical Research Assistant Coordinator

    Feb 2019 - Jul 2020

  • Mentor

    May 2019 - Aug 2019
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  Amgen

  Jul 2021 - Jul 2021

  Research Presenter

  Presented an oral research talk for the “Alumni Research Spotlight” at the 2021 Amgen Scholars Global SymposiumHosted a Bioengineering networking roundtable to enable undergraduates to share their experience, goals and research interests

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  The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory University

  Aug 2021 - Aug 2022

  Summer mentor for undergraduate student in the Georgia Tech Summer Undergraduate Research Experience program. Provided daily instruction and advisement, aided in the writing and content of final research report and final poster and oral talk. Led wet lab training and and training on gene editing techniquesTrained to proficiency in DNA transfection into bacteria cells, expression of proteins in bacteria, and protein purificationCoordinated presentation practices, lab work and journal club preparation while keeping track of program deadlines, activities, and other tasks. Show less

  • Research Mentor

    May 2022 - Aug 2022

  • Teaching Assistant

    Aug 2021 - May 2022
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  Mathnasium Learning Centers

  Aug 2021 - Mar 2023

  Mathematics Tutor
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  The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory University

  May 2023 - now

  Genetically-encoded smart materials:-Studying the implications of single amino acid substitutions on disordered protein polymer behaviors. Behaviors include stimuli-responsive phase separation, hysteresis, and bio molecular interactions-Engineering a bio molecular sensor to tau and TDP-43–proteins known to aggregate in Alzheimer’s Disease-Understanding the biophysical consequences of tagging unstructured proteins with structured fluorescent proteins Georgia Tech Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) Graduate Mentor for summer studentTrained student in fluorescent microscopy data analysis, wet lab techniques, leading journal club, and scientific figure drawing using Biorender and Adobe Illustrator.Trained student in gene editing approaches, DNA ligation, protein expression in bacteria and purification.

  • Graduate Student Research Assistant

    Aug 2020 - now

  • Research Mentor

    May 2023 - Aug 2023
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  Amgen

  Jul 2023 - Jul 2023

  Bioengineering roundtable facilitator responsible for guiding discussion between undersgraduates in the 2023 Amgen Scholars Symposium. Provided questions for the roundtable and moderated response questions by participants.

  • Roundtable Facilitator

    Jul 2023 - Jul 2023

  • Graduate Student Panelist

    Jul 2023 - Jul 2023
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  Freelance

  Sept 2023 - Nov 2023

  Science Writing Tutor

  Assist student who uses English as a second language (ESL) in understanding the characteristics of scientific writingRead and provide real-time feedback on writing samplesDiscuss research directions and broader impact of research design/findings to help student my carefully communicate through writingPrepare slides and collect online resources for student to use as a guidePrepare slide show and lecture to teach student the most important sections of a scientific research paper and describe/outline content that should be represented in each section Show less