Research Associate I
Employer: Virginia Commonwealth University
Dates of employment: January 2000 to July 2000
Duties and accomplishments: During my time in Dr. Hylemon’s laboratory I was involved in a study to determine if gallstones are caused by bacteria. I collected demographic information, fresh bile, and fecal material from volunteers. I then identified and quantitated bile acids from the bile and cultured and identified bacteria from the fecal material. During this time I also indentified and quantitated bile acids from rats following stimulation of 12-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity. Finally, I completed a small study on the affect of diet upon the bile composition of chickens. The data from these studies resulted in one peer-reviewed publication.
Supervisor: Dr. Phillip Hylemon
Postdoctoral Fellowship
Employer: University of Virginia
Dates of employment: February 1997 to December 1999
Duties and accomplishments: Performed independent research focusing upon the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) genes of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This work involved cloning and sequencing the LPS genes, over-expression of gene products in heterologous bacterial strains, and functional complementation studies. LPS is an important virulence factor in pulmonary infections of cystic fibrosis patients. The data from this research culminated in two peer-reviewed publications.
Supervisor: Dr. Joanna Goldberg
Postdoctoral Fellowship
Employer: University of Virginia
Dates of employment: January 1990 to January 1997
Duties and accomplishments: Performed independent research focusing upon the regulation of the vitamin B12 transporter, BtuB in Escherichia coli. This work involved the construction of transcriptional and translational reporter fusions, enzymatic analysis, mutagenesis of bacteria, and mapping the resultant mutants on the bacterial chromosome. The data from this research culminated in one peer-reviewed publication and a book chapter.
Supervisor: Dr. Robert Kadner