CV

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

University of Florida

Gainesville, Fl

Undergraduate Research Volunteer in the lab of Dr. Todd Brusko August 2022-October 2023

Student Research Assistant in the lab of Dr. Todd Brusko October 2023-Present

• Analyzed role of CD226 in CD8+ T cells through activation assays, cell mediated lympholysis assays, and extracellular protein expression. Gained experience in CRISPR/Cas9, flow cytometry, cell culture, and molecular biology principles.

• Performed CRISPR/Cas9 knock outs and molecular biology analysis for projects related to PPP2R2D and BACH2 genetic targets.

• Responsible for checking blood sugar of NOD mice and performing subsequent necropsies to elucidate therapeutic effects of TIGIT-Ig.

• Co-authored review on the role of CD226 in T1D. Wrote section on genetic therapeutics and analyzed genetic data to determine correlation between risk genotype and autoimmune development.

• Presented data through poster presentations and lab meetings.

 

PRESENTATIONS

Parks, E., Peters, L., Yeh, W., Brown, M., and Brusko, T.

“Assessing the impact of T1D associated molecules CD226 and TIGIT on CD8 cell phenotype”. Poster presentation

delivered at Undergraduate Research Symposium, University of Florida, Gainesville, Fl, April 2024

 

SKILLS

• Laboratory Procedures: Cell culture, flow cytometry, CRISPR, PCR, gel electrophoresis, DNA sequencing, mouse necropsy etc.

• Computer: Highly proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, FlowJo, GraphPad Prism