Research Lab Assistant

Professional Objective

Highly motivated researcher with strong background in variety of molecular, cellular and biochemical techniques, in addition extensive experience performing in vivo rodent surgeries, and proven ability to manage multiple studies simultaneously from inception to completion, is seeking to secure a challenging and rewarding position in the field of molecular biology to further advance and strengthen research skills and techniques, contribute to research project goals, and develop the quality and scope of medical science and thereby enhance my career opportunities.

Professional Related Strengths

• Strong work ethics; hard working, organized, patient, flexible and charismatic

• Demonstrated ability to multi- task; capable of carrying out diverse responsibilities and special projects

• Quickly adapt to and learn new procedures, concepts, technology; resourceful and trainable

• Ability to work under strict time constraints and deadlines; finishes tasks in a timely manner and maintains accuracy and consistency

• Highly collaborative; work efficiently in a team environment, cooperative with lab members and eager to assist study investigators

• Self- motivated and wok independently with minimal supervision

Professional Experience

Research Assistant –Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine at NorthShore University HealthSystem Research Institute, September 2002 – November 2007

-Involved in research projects associated to Intrauterine Fetal Growth Restriction ( IUGR), Retardation, and Preeclampsia. Where the focus is on roles of endogenous vasoactive mediators (ET-1), mechanism of receptors ( Eta & ETb) regulation and function, cell and tissue morphology, and histochemistry of proteins in normal and neoplastic tissues.

Surgical Expertise

• Studied predominantly one of most vasoactive mediators, ET-1, with conjunction of Principal Investigator using Sprague Dawley Rat as a Model. Conducted several in vivo survival surgeries;

Implantation of Osmotic Pump- subcutaneous placement compounds include: ET-1 antagonists, Nitric Oxide Inhibitor like L-NAME and ET-1 alone

Ischemia Reperfusion- clamping of maternal uterine horn

Catheter Placement into Ventricles/Blood flow-infusing microspheres

Hypoxia Chamber

• Extensive knowledge of specific surgery procedures; maintaing aseptic technique, identification and function of instruments, assuring all instruments and materials are available to conduct surgical procedure

• Perform intraperitoneal and subcutaneous rat injections; complying with anesthesia dosage procedures, updating controlled substance log and abiding to animal guidelines approved by the Institutional Animal Care Unit.

• Carry out and record detailed observations on rodent dissections, laparotomies, tissues collection (reproductive organs), blood draws ( plasma/serum), and necropsies.

• Experienced in handling, providing care and husbandry support to research animals

• Manage and successfully conduct a large rodent colony for breeding; extensive knowledge of breeding cycle including identifying and recording cell types to achieve positive sperm slide smears.

Research Expertise

-Proficient in planning, executing and coordinating variety of scientific experiments and techniques. Including setting up experimental design, developing specific protocols and methodology for new experiments

• Performed RNA/DNA Isolation from tissues

• Conducted agarose gel electrophoresis

• Titrated probes and primers specific for rat ET-1, ETa and ETb

• Performed PCR, RT-PCR; successfully evaluated the expression of ET-1 during nitric oxide synthase inhibition model

• Conducted Western/Northern blot analyses

• Learned and demonstrated the purpose of a Cryostat Machinery to cryosection tissues to conduct antibody binding

• Experienced in Immunohistochemistry

• Conducted bright field microscopy to evaluate and determine staining adequacy and to verify specificity

• Extensive experience and knowledge in setting up and operating Nitric Oxide Analyzer; conducted and achieved numerous successful evaluations of plasma nitrate/nitrite recovery levels after NOS inhibition

• Experienced conducting In situ Hybridization

-Maintained thorough and accurate records of research methods including; manage the collection of data on various stages of experiments, exhibit clear understanding why particular reagents/steps are used, and interpret data and recognize erroneous results

-Knowledgeable to apply general statistical tabular and other reliability measures in assisting with analyses and evaluation of data collected

-Prepared research progress reports; compiled and summarized findings for weekly lab meetings and thus maintained personal knowledge of scientific trends

-Proven ability to assist in critically reviewing, revising and editing scientific manuscripts; emphasized on discussing experimental and statistical analyses, addressing and responding to questions and concerns from study reviewers

-Assisted in preparing posters, abstracts and manuscripts for publications and attended seminars series, mini symposia’s and professional society meetings like national conferences on Endotheline

-Provided oversight of junior researches to carry out their independent projects. Trained students into various experimental skills and molecular techniques

Laboratory Expertise

• Performed general laboratory maintenance tasks; routinely maintained high standards of cleanliness within laboratory, managed inventory for all reagents and materials, prepared stock solutions and or other laboratory media

• Demonstrated ability to set up, operate, skillfully use complex instrumentation and maintain all laboratory equipment and apparatuses in a ready to use manner

Awarded – September 19, 2005

Received the CARE award in for going beyond normal duties, voluntarily staying late on more than one occasion to help complete research projects that provided sufficient data for major conference presentation

Assisted Tech Pathologist- Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL, January 2002-September 2002

• Provided specimen collections from patients for Chemistry and Hematology Laboratories in an accurate, timely and service oriented fashion

• Performed all aspects of pre analytical workflow; processed specimen paper work, ensured orders are entered correctly, verified specimens collected are appropriately labeled, processed accordingly and transported.

• Handled unresolved, duplicate or unclear orders in a responsible accurate manner

• Participated in Safety and Infection Control activities by cautiously handling specimens and maintaining a safe and clean work environment

• Operated and maintained laboratory equipment to meet quality assurance guidelines

• Consulted with physicians on tests performed and conveyed results

Publications

Endothelin Receptor Antagonist has Limited Access to the Fetal Compartment during Chronic Maternal Administration late in Pregnancy. Thaete LG, Khan S, Synowiec S, Dayton BD, Bauch J, Neerhof MG. Life Sci 2012; 91:583-6.

The Significance of Endothelin in Platelet-Activating Factor–Induced Fetal Growth Restriction. Mark G Neerhof, Xiao-Wu Qu, Sylvia Synowiec, Saira Khan, Larry G Thaete. Reproductive Sciences 2012; 19:1175-80.

Pathophysiology of Chronic Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibition-Induced Fetal Growth Restriction in the Rat. Mark G Neerhof, Sylvia Synowiec, Saira Khan, Larry G Thaete. Hypertension in Pregnancy 2011;30(1):28-36.

P31 Maternally Administered Endotheline Receptor Antagonist has limited access to the Fetal Compartment. Thaete, Larry G; Khan, Saira; Synowiec, Sylvia; Neerhof, Mark G. Pregnancy Hypertension 2010;1:50-51.

Impact of Endotheline A Receptor Antagonist Selectivity in Chronic Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibition-Induced Fetal Growth Restriction in the Rat. Mark G Neerhof; Sylvia Synowiec; Saira Khan; Larry G Thaete. Hypertension in Pregnancy 2010; 29(3):284-93.

Altered Endotheline Receptor Binding in Response to Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibition in the Pregnant Rat. Mark G Neerhof; Tamas Jilling; Sylvia Synowiec; Saira Khan; Larry G Thaete. Reproductive Sciences 2008;15(4):366-73.

Expression of Endotheline 1 and its Receptors in the Hypoxic Pregnant Rat. Larry G Thaete; Tamas Jilling; Sylvia Synowiec; Saira Khan; Mark G Neerhof. Biology of Reproduction 2007;77(3):526-32.

Poster Presentation

Impact of Maternally Administered Endotheline Receptor Antagonism on Neonatal Oxygen Saturation in the Rat.

Larry G Thaete, Sylvia Synowiec, Saira Khan, Mark G Neerhof

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Evanston Northwestern Healthcare, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Evanston, IL, USA

Presented at 55th Annual meeting of Society for Gynecologic Investiagation (SGI) in San Diego, Ca. March 27th, 2008.

Oxygen Saturation in Neonatal Rats Following Maternally Administered Endotheline Receptor Antagonism

Larry G Thaete, Sylvia Synowiec, Saira Khan, Mark G Neerhof

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Evanston Northwestern Healthcare, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Evanston, IL, USA

Presented at Tenth International Conference on Endotheline in Bergamo, Italy. September 16-19, 2007.

Computer Skills

• Adequate knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point. Internet Applications and Data Entry.

Education

Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona

• Offering a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology

• Emphasis in Biological Sciences

• Course highlights; Physiology, Cell Biology, Microbiology, Genetics, Organic Chemistry, Immunity and Viruses.

Contact this candidate