Karen PhD's Email Addresses & Phone Numbers

📖 Summary

Postdoctoral Research Associate @ Research on the signaling mechanisms governing microglia-glioma interactions and the role of pH regulation in the genesis and progression of brain cancer. From February 2015 to Present (11 months) Consultant @ From October 2015 to Present (3 months) Greater Pittsburgh AreaPhD Student @ Oliet Lab Utilized mass spectrometry to identify novel perisynaptic astrocyte proteins involved in various behavioral models of synaptic plasticity. From October 2010 to December 2014 (4 years 3 months) PhD student @ Smit/Verheijen Lab Utilized mass spectrometry to identify novel perisynaptic astrocyte proteins involved in various behavioral models of synaptic plasticity. - Selected for one of three European Neuroscience Campus Cum Laude Twinning PhD projects - Maintained dual enrollment in both universities and completed requirements to earn two PhDs - Coordinated frequent communication and travel between the Netherlands and France with an additional collaboration established with researchers at the University of Genoa, Italy - Organized and analyzed large, complex proteomic datasets to identify significant trends - Successful project management led to 3 publications - Dissertation: Proteomic characterization of perisynaptic astrocytes in synaptic plasticity From October 2010 to December 2014 (4 years 3 months) Teaching Assistant @ - Supervised two master degree students daily, each for a period of 6 months - Routinely assisted in the preparation and teaching of bachelor student lab practicals including histology, immunoblotting, PCR reactions - Evaluated student research presentations and moderated discussion groups From February 2011 to May 2014 (3 years 4 months) Research Intern @ Heppner Lab Project established baselines to examine microglia mediated changes in neurogenesis associated gene expression in the mouse hippocampus under environmental enrichment. Gene expression, cell survival, cell proliferation, and microglia coverage were analyzed in WT mice housed in standard and enriched cages. These were compared with transgenic mice in normal and enriched environments after conditional ablation of microglia to evaluate the role of microglia in neurogenesis. From January 2010 to July 2010 (7 months) Research Intern @ Eggen Lab Research induced two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) into UTF1, a gene involved in proper stem cell differentiation. Mutations were cloned into murine stem cells and effects on protein functionality were evaluated. From February 2009 to June 2009 (5 months) Groningen, NetherlandsResearch Intern @ Flaherty Lab Project combined techniques of overexpression and RNAi in C. elegans directed at the MAP protein tau to model the neurodegeneration seen in Alzheimer’s disease. From February 2007 to May 2008 (1 year 4 months) Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Neuroscience @ Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam From 2010 to 2014 Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Neuroscience, tres honorable @ Université de Bordeaux From 2010 to 2014 Research Master, Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience, with honors @ Rijksuniversiteit Groningen / University of Groningen From 2008 to 2010 Bachelor of Science (BSc), Biopsychology, with honors @ Eckerd College From 2004 to 2008 Karen PhD is skilled in: Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Cell Culture, Western Blotting, Biochemistry, Genetics, Protein Expression, Fluorescence Microscopy, Immunohistochemistry, Science, Neuroscience, Protein Chemistry, Mass Spectrometry, Animal Models