Experience

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  Reed college

  May 2021 - Jul 2022

  Project under the supervision of Dr. Kara Cerveny, Developmental Biologist and Professor of Biology at Reed College, Portland, Oregon❖ Investigated the effects of the FGF signaling pathway on eye development, in particular in terms of proliferative cell types and on choroidal vasculature growth, of both wild-type and gdf6a-/- zebrafish mutants.➢ Performed pharmacological manipulation treatments utilizing BCI drugs on 20 hpf embryos (both wild-type and gdf6a-/- embryos) for 24 hours.➢ Performed pharmacological manipulation treatments utilizing a combination of PD166866 and BGJ398 drugs on 20 hpf embryos (Tg(dusp6: d2GFP) embryos) for 24 hours under a confocal microscope to observe whether or not the choroidal vasculature can be disrupted.➢ Created an FGF24 mRNA probe utilizing PCR techniques, and conducted an in situ hybridization experiment with this probe in order to explore the localization of the FGF24 gene within the retina.➢ Performing a pSMAD immunostaining experiment on 32, 48, and 60 hpf wild-type and gdf6a-/-; Tg (dusp6:d2GFP) embryos to observe the direct relationship between the BMP and FGF signaling pathways.➢ Analyzing collected data utilizing Imaris and ImageJ.➢ Helping to prepare a manuscript for a paper to be published in a journal regarding the choroidal vasculature in the developing zebrafish embryo.➢ Training new lab members, and helping them to establish their projects, and demonstrating experimental techniques in order to transition the project. Show less ❖ Planning and hosting events for pre-health students, including: networking opportunities, information sessions with both medical doctors and medical school students, as well as with researchers in health-related fields.❖ Establishing connections with non-profit organizations that are concerned with pre-health mentorship, such as MedStaircase.❖ Created a peer-mentorship program for pre-health students:➢ Connected upper-classmen to under-classmen by discussing the ways in which they navigated coursework at Reed College to prepare for a career in health.➢ Created a Student Handbook document, containing information pertaining to medical school preparation and application, MCAT/GRE tips, financial aid, volunteer and internship resources.➢ Continuing to support the club as an alum by providing current Reed students with information about medical school, graduate school, and veterinary school, as well as helping to contact alumni to speak with current students. Show less ❖ Performed animal husbandry duties for approximately 1000 zebrafish, consisting of several different wild-type, transgenic, and mutant zebrafish (Danio rerio) lines by:➢ Fed dry food, brine shrimp, and rotifers. Set up brine shrimp hatch by decapsulating eggs with bleach.➢ Ensured the health of rotifers and brine shrimp by checking their density under a dissecting microscope.➢ Removed and culled sick fish to ensure the health of the lines. Paired additional fish for the nursery, which would grow into adult fish to be used for future experimentation. Ensured steady water levels in tanks, and adjusted as needed. Cleaned filters and tanks.❖ Maintained the datasheet by recording: Salient statistics, such as pH, water temperature, and conductivity, as well as the health of fish lines.❖ Learned teamwork and communication skills by regularly interacting with Dr. Cerveny, lab technicians, and other lab students. Show less Supervised by B Hunter at the Center for Life Beyond Reed, Reed College, Portland, Oregon❖ Approved student jobs, internships and other work opportunities posted on the Handshake job database.❖ Reached out to Reed alumni to maintain and expand a database for professional networking. Attended job fairs andinteracted with potential employers, and helped advertise those events to students.❖ Established and maintained the Reed College job connections Twitter account called @GriffinGigs, to promote jobs,internships and other opportunities for Reed students and for graduates.❖ Helped to organize events and activities for the benefit of Reed students. Show less Research Project under guidance of Dr. Kara Cerveny Reed College, Portland, Oregon❖ Explored how the BMP, FGF, and RA signaling pathways interact in the dorsal retina of zebrafish embryos, and investigated the role of FGF in neurogenesis and vasculogenesis. I hypothesized that FGF would be able to partially inhibit the RA pathway based on previous research, but would be unable to inhibit the BMP pathway. Then: ➢ Performed in situ hybridization experiments utilizing different mRNA probes on wild-type and mutant zebrafish embryos at different stages of development.➢ Conducted drug treatments on zebrafish embryos to understand how inhibiting the FGF pathway influences the activity of the BMP and RA signaling pathway.➢ Utilized confocal microscopy to create a time-lapse movie to observe choroidal vasculature development in wild-type versus mutant zebrafish embryos. Analyzed mutational differences through microscopy.❖ Presented findings at a poster session hosted by Reed College and wrote a final report concerning project findings, as well as future directions for the project. Collaborated with students and other faculty members during weekly laboratory meetings.Through this experience, I learned a variety of different laboratory techniques, as well as collaboration and problem-solving skills. Show less

  • Post-Baccalaureate Research Fellow

    May 2022 - Jul 2022

  • Co-Leader of Pre-Health Club

    May 2020 - May 2022

  • Zebrafish Husbandry Technician

    May 2019 - May 2022

  • Strategic Patnerships Intern

    Sept 2018 - Sept 2021

  • Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow

    May 2021 - Aug 2021
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  Oregon national primate research center

  Aug 2022 - now

  Research assistant
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  Wild sun rescue center

  Jun 2024 - Jul 2024

  Pre-veterinary intern

  At the rescue center, students assisted in necessary surgeries and emergency procedures. Studentslearned proper techniques in wildlife restraint, identification of parasites, how to administer fluids,perform necropsies, as well as suturing techniques. Within the 4-week program, students learnedfrom multiple veterinarians, providing a well-rounded learning experience through lectures,laboratories, and observation.Pre-veterinary interns gain a deeper knowledge of what conservation medicine is and how it differsfrom exotic and zoo medicine, what role a veterinarian plays in conservation, and when and howanimals can return to the wild. Animals that we often have in care are the Golden Mantled HowlerMonkey, White Faced Capuchin Monkey, Collared Anteater, White-nosed Coati, Kinkajou, Agouti,Lowland Paca, Spotted Skunk, Northern Raccoon, Nine-banded Armadillo, White-tailed Deer,Variegated Squirrel, Mexican Hairy Porcupine, Woolly and Common Opossum, and a variety ofbirds. Interns also participated in a spay and neuter campaign to help control the local dog and catpopulation, which threatens wildlife daily. Show less