Molecular Biologist

John Wesley Kavanaugh, Ph.D.

*** ******** ** ***: 434-***-****

Rockville, MD 20850 Email: *******@**.***

Summary I have 10 years of experience working as a molecular biologist in both the private sector and academia in the areas of molecular cloning, protein modification analysis, and inflammation biology. I have significant experience with project design, implementation, management, and data analysis. In addition to scientific research I also have significant experience with lab accounting, supply management, chemical and biological safety management.

Research Molecular biology and techniques, immunology and inflammatory responses, protein

Interest signaling and chemistry, immunotherapy and gene therapy.

Education Doctor of Philosophy: Human Nutrition Foods and Exercise- Cell and Molecular Track

Graduated October 2017

Virginia Tech, Blacksburg VA

Dissertation: Acetylation of metabolic proteins in skeletal muscle in response to an acute and chronic high fat diet

Bachelor’s of Science: Biological Science with an option in Business Management

Graduated May 2007

Virginia Tech, Blacksburg VA

Research/ Department of Human Nutrition Foods and Exercise, Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA

Work Research Assistant/ PhD Candidate Aug 2011- Oct 2017

Became an expert in the scientific literature on the topic and learned the intricacies of mass spectrometry analysis of the post-translational modification acetylation.

Organized a labor intensive and complex mouse study to better understand how skeletal muscle metabolism adjusts in the face of over consumption of energy in the form of a high fat diet.

Protein from whole muscle was used for immunoprecipitation of acetylated proteins to run a proteomic study, via UPLC-MS/MS, of the modification acetylation under multiple metabolic conditions.

Department of Human Nutrition Foods and Exercise, Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA

Research Faculty- Research Associate Oct 2009- Aug 2011

Planned and executed the technical implementation of accumulation of amyloid beta protein, through viral and non-viral transfection, associated with mitochondrial dysfunction in muscle wasting.

Investigation of TLR4 inflammatory response through LPS induction on skeletal muscle metabolism and mitochondrial function using RNA and protein from cell culture and whole muscle. RT-rtPCR, immunoblot, and Seahorse Flux Analyzer were the main methods of analysis.

Planned and implemented a study of the timing response of MyD88 dependent and MyD88 independent pathways in an inflammatory environment via RT-rtPCR from myoblast cell culture treated with multiple medias.

Investigated probiotic supplementation on the expression of gut microbiota through PCR DNA analysis of stool from human participants fed normal or high fat diets, with or without probiotic supplement.

Acting laboratory manager; trained students in molecular techniques, SOP development, chemical and biological safety officer, lab accounting, ordering/receiving.

Intrexon Corporation Blacksburg, VA

Research Associate II- R&D Lab June 2007- Oct 2009

Involved in the production of plasmid vectors for human therapeutics.

Utilized molecular cloning skills for all stages of plasmid production for gene therapy including: fragment ligation & PCR, extraction, and purification, insertion into backbone, transformation into bacterial host, bacterial cell culture and DNA extraction, sequencing.

Was responsible for executing and tracking multiple projects simultaneously.

Laboratory DNA/RNA: Molecular Cloning, PCR, RT-rtPCR, DNA & RNA extraction & purification, gel

Skills electrophoresis, genotyping, primer design, plasmid prep, TaqMan,

Defined SyberGreen, human, mouse, & bacterial, DNA sequencing

Protein: Extraction, purification, western blot, SDS-PAGE, immunoprecipitation,

peptide digest for mass spectrometry, ELISA, proteomic/ acetylomic studies, antibodies (mono & polyclonal)- Human/mouse, UPLC MS/MS

Cell Culture: Mouse and human muscle tissue culture

Viral: Transfection, gene transfer (rDNA) for overexpression and knock down

(siRNA), viral propagation, Adenovirus/ Lentivirus- Human and mouse

Bacterial: Culture, purification, transfection for gene transfer

Vivarium: Animal handling, breeding, weaning, euthanizing, sacrifice, IACUC trained

Computer Microsoft Office (Word/Excel/PowerPoint)

Skills Endnote

GraphPad Prism: Graphing, statistical analysis

Modeller: Protein modeling

Protein BLAST/ Nucleic Acid BLAST (sequence analysis)

Other BSL2/ ABSL2 trained- 8 years experience

Skills Troubleshooting

Biological and chemical safety officer, biological & chemical safety manual development

Lab accounting, ordering and receiving

Student and new employee training

Cell & Molecular Biology, Genetics, Immunology, Protein Biochemistry

Laboratory Management

Publications: Request C.V.

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