Jane Smitham

**** ******** ** ******, **** ** San Diego, CA 92130

858-***-**** • abmhem@r.postjobfree.com

linkedin.com/in/janesmitham

OBJECTIVE

To utilize my proven ability to rapidly aquire new technical skills in order to contribute to

the success of a biotechnology company.

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Staff Research Associate UCSD. Department of Neurosciences, 2011

● Performed histological fixation of neuronal tissues for immunocytochemical

analysis. Harvested tissue from rat pups for execution of in vitro experiments to

characterize neuronal markers of differentiation and ex vivo preparation for nerve

regeneration studies. Developed protocols for differentiation and characterization

of neuroepithelial stem cells.

Staff Research Associate UCSD. Department of Biological Sciences, 2010

● Characterized physiological and genetic pathways of host defense activated by

C. elegans in response to bacterial pore-forming toxins.

Science Program Coordinator UCSD. Student Affairs, 2007 - 2010

● Responsible for development & implementation of the Howard Hughes Medical

Institute (HHMI) funded Hughes Scholars Program (HSP), a grant for retaining

diverse and economically disadvantaged undergraduate and high school

students in science and research careers.

Laboratory Manager/Staff Research Associate UCSD. Dept. of Medicine, 1992 - 2007

● Developed cell based assays, characterized cell surface receptors, and

intracellular signalling pathways to understand downstream intracellular

signalling mechanisms of epithelial ion transport. Over ten years of original

contributions to independent experimental design as demonstrated by

development of novel research projects and an NIH RO1 Grant.

Research Biologist Scripps Research Institute, 1991

● Identification/characterization of integrin dimer binding domains as it relates to

cell growth, differentiation, migration, and cancer metastasis.

Intern/ Researcher UCSD. Department of Biology, Fall 1990

● Characterized inositol phospholipid metabolites expressed in the life cycle of S.

cerevisae upon exposure to various media components.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

● In vitro ligand binding assays, cell migration, receptor binding assays.

● Animal surgery: surgical dissection of rat embryo spinal cord, dissociation of

animal tissue for cell culture, and removal of intestinal lymph nodes.

● Developed protocols for culture of non-adherent neural stem cells for

characterization and to injection into rat spinal cord and for histological analysis.

● Immunohistochemical characterization of expressed neuronal markers.

● In vitro radioligand binding and perfection of radioisotope efflux assays.

● Expertise in sample preparation, performing, measuring, and analyzing epithelial

ion transport and intracellular signallting assays (westerns, biochemical

extractions, HPLC).

● Improved accuracy and reliability of intracellular signaling assay; a cAMP

accumulation assay (ELISA).

● Protein characterization: purification, and analysis (chromatography, western gel

electrophoresis, immunoblotting, and ELISA receptor binding assays).

● Successfully developed and performed pharmacological binding assays to

characterize intracellular signaling of purinergic receptors on epithelial ion

transport function (see publications).

● Sugar and lipid analysis, experience troubleshooting and automation of HPLC.

Improved the reliability and consistency of HPLC protocol by devising a means to

improve uptake of radiolabeled inositol phosphate into cells thereby allowing the

consistent measurement of intracellular inositol phospholipids (first-authorship).

● Optimization of in vitro tissue culture and in vivo (C. elegans) fluorescence

double staining and microscopic characterization of C. elegans to determine

gene function. Quantitative and qualitative C. elegans survival assays in

response to pore forming toxins.

● In vitro nucleic acid amplification and hybridization assay for Mycobacterium.

● Nucleic acid analysis.

● Bacterial cell culture and preparation.

● C. elegans maintenance for functional assays (see publications).

● Advanced mammalian cell culture; over twelve years of antibiotic-free cell and

tissue culture expertise. Developed transformed as well as primary cell lines for

cell physiological, electrophysiological assays, and biochemical techniques.

● Data analysis; prepared technical and statistical reports, and presentations

utilizing Graph Pad, Instat, Data Master, Sigmaplot, Excel, Quattro Pro, Power

Point, and System Gold HPLC Software.

Computer Skills: Graph Pad, Instat, Data Master, Sigmaplot, Excel, Quattro Pro, Power

Point, and System Gold HPLC Software.

ORGANIZATIONS AND VOLUNTEER WORK

● Patient Care Volunteer, San Diego Hospice and Institute for Palliative Care,

current

● Member, American Women in Science (AWIS), 2005 - current

● Volunteer, American Women in Science (AWIS) Outreach Committee, 2005 -

2007

● Volunteer, Therapeutic Recreation (disabled services), 1995

EDUCATION

B.A. Biochemistry/Cell Biology University of California, San Diego, Fall 1990

ADDITIONAL COURSEWORK

4.0 GPA (Postbaccalaureate) in Anatomy/Physiology (including lab), Microbiology

(including lab), Statistics, Cultural Anthropology, and Developmental Psychology 2011 -

2012.

AWARDS

KBN Sorority Scholarship (Awarded by Grossmont College; based on academic

excellence and community service), Spring 2012.

PUBLICATIONS

Full-length Research Articles –

Los FCO, Kao CY, Smitham JE, McDonald KL, Peixoto CA, Ha C, Aroian RV (2010)

RAB-5 and RAB-11 vesicle-trafficking pathways are required in vivo for plasma

membrane repair after attack by bacterial pore-forming toxin. (Cell Host & Microbe:

February 17, 2011).

Resta-Lenert, S., Smitham, J., Barrett, K.E.: Epithelial dysfunction associated with the

development of colitis in conventionally housed mdr1a-/- mice. Am J Physiol 289: GI

and Liver Physiol: G153-162, 2005.

Smitham, J.E. and Barrett, K.E.: Differential effects of apical and basolateral uridine

triphosphate on intestinal chloride secretion: Implications for cystic fibrosis. Am J Physiol

280: C1431-1439, 2001.

Barrett, K.E., Smitham, J.E., Traynor-Kaplan, A. and Uribe, J.M.: Inhibition of calcium-

dependent chloride secretion in T84 cells: Membrane target(s) of inhibition are agonist-

specific. Am J Physiol 274: C958-C965, 1998.

Abstracts –

Smitham J.E. and Barrett, K.E.: Differential effects of uridine triphosphate on intestinal

chloride secretion depending on side of addition: Implications for cystic fibrosis therapy.

Gastroenterol 114 (4 part 2): A417, 1998.

Smitham, J.E., Uribe, J.M. and Barrett, K.E.: Inhibition of T84 cell chloride secretion:

carbachol and epidermal growth factor target different conductances. Gastroenterol 110

(4 Suppl): A362, 1996.

Smitham J.E. and Barrett, K.E.: Acute and chronic modulation of airway epithelial ion

transport by mast cell mediators. Experimental Biology 9 (n. 3): A278, 1996.

Marroquin, L., Smitham, J.E., Barrett, K.E.: Exogenous phospholipase A2 induces

chloride secretion in T84 cells. Gastroenterol 106 (4 Suppl): A1037, 1994.

Mauer, M.E., Smitham, J.E., Marroquin L., Bigby, T.D., and Barrett, K.E.:

A potential role for cytochrome P450 epoxygenase metabolite(s) of arachidonic acid in

T84 cell chloride secretion. FASEB Journal 8 (N. 4-5): A349, 1994.

Smitham, J.E., Munafo, B.A. MD, Broide, D. MD, Bigby, T.D. MD and Barrett, K.E. PhD:

Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid contains apically-active epithelial chloride secretagogue(s).

J. Allergy Clin Immunol 93 (n.1 pt.2): 199, 1994.

Mauer, M., Smitham, J. Bigby, T., Barrett, K.: A cytochrome P450 epoxygenase inhibitor,

SKF525A, inhibits intestinal epithelial chloride secretion. Clin Research 42 (n.1): 75A,

1994.

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