Biology  |  Music

Biology

I am currently a graduate student in Cell Biology at Duke University.  In January 2006 I joined Howard Rockman's lab, in which the focus is the molecular mechanisms of heart failure.  My project uses fruit fly genetics for the relatively simple identification of new genes.  Using a technique that our lab developed, we can measure the dimensions of the fruit fly heart as it beats.  By measuring heart function in fruit flies with deletions in their genome, we can find mutants that have heart failure.  We will then use genetic tools to find the genes causing heart failure in the flies, and we will compare those genes to the similar genes in humans.  This method will provide more genes to study to find the causes of heart failure in humans.  In February 2007 I passed my Cell Biology prelim exam, and I have finished all my required coursework, so most of my time is spent working on my project in the lab.  In May 2007 I receieved a graduate research fellowship from the American Heart Association, which will fund my stipend for the next two years.

From 2003-2005 I was in the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, in the School of Medicine at UCSD.  I joined the lab of Dr. Wolfgang Dillmann, MD.  My project concentrated on the role of mitochondria in disease states such as diabetes, and how that affects heart function.  In Fall 2004 I completed my Minor Proposition, which involved a research proposal and defense.  In doing this project, I explored the role of certain immune cells in atherosclerosis.  I have also kept busy taking elective classes and serving as a teaching assistant for Mammalian Physiology, an undergraduate class in the biology department.  During the first year in BMS, I rotated in four labs and took the required core classes.

For two years I worked as a technician at the W.M. Keck Center for Transgene Research on the University of Notre Dame campus.  My direct supervisors were Elliot Rosen and Zhong Liang.  The aim of the lab is development and use of gene targeting technology to investigate the roles of the genes of the blood coagulation, anticoagulation, and fibrinolytic pathways in hemostasis, with associated relevance to embryonic development, vessel wall development, cancer, pulmonary fibrosis, and arteriosclerosis.  I learned many new techniques and have been able to work with several new pieces of equipment.  In addition, I was able to take three graduate level classes (Molecular Biology II, Biochemistry I and II) while I was working.  Our research resulted in the following publication: Rosen E.D., Cornelissen I., Liang Z., Zollman A., Casad M., Roahrig J., Suckow M., and Castellino F.J.  "In Utero Transplantation of Fetal Liver Cells Rescues Factor X Deficient Mice from Perinatal Lethality."  Journal of Thrombosis and Hasemostasis 1 (1), 19-27.

In June 2001 I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in General Biology from the University of California, San Diego.  Although at UCSD it is possible to specialize in a specific field of biology, I remained in General Biology to facilitate my year of Education Abroad Program.  In this way, I was able to easily transfer the courses I took at the National University of Ireland, Galway, to my UCSD course of study.  Because of this, I have had two areas that I have studied intensively.  At UCSD I took many molecular biology and microbiology classes and while in Ireland for my junior year I focused on Physiology and Histology.  During my fourth year as a student at UCSD, I was fortunate enough to partake in an Independent Research bacteriology laboratory with Dr. Don Helinski.  His lab is studying the plasmid RK2, and my specific project involved working with the TrfA replication initiation protein.  During that year, I learned many laboratory techniques relevant to the manipulation of bacterial genetics.

Music

Handbells

I was a member of the University of Notre Dame Handbell Choir that plays at Sacred Heart Basilica.  The Handbell Choir has had a very busy Spring 2003 semester, completing a tour near Detroit and also completing a recording, Echoes of Joy, available through World Library Publications.  I have also played the piano for Mass at the Fischer O'Hara-Grace Graduate Residences on the Notre Dame campus.

Piano

Last year I was hired to play the piano for Sunday Masses at All Hallows Catholic Church for the Advent and Christmas seasons, 2003-2004.  This was an exciting opportunity to play some new Christmas music, especially Mary Did You Know?, as well as to get back into the routine of practicing regularly.  At Notre Dame I also played the piano for the Fischer-O'Hara-Grace graduate student chapel on most Sundays.

My music minor was an enjoyable effort in my experiences at UCSD.  I took classes ranging from Chamber Music History to the Music of the 20th Century: The Beatles.  These classes always included many live performances of pieces we were studying in the classes, which was great!  I performed in the Chamber Music ensemble three times.  Under the direction of violinist János Négyesy, I have performed pieces by Schubert, Vivaldi, and César Cui.  I have been playing the piano since I was five years old, so to continue my performance in the university setting was a challenge that was well worth the work.