Biochemistry, molecular biology, and diabetes

Rockann Mosser, Ph.D.

*********@*****.***

[*** White Bridge Pike #164, Nashville, TN 37209] [979-***-****]

PROFILE:

I am a fast learner with hands on training in multiple disciplines: skilled in research and development, thinking

under pressure, troubleshooting, and managing multiple projects, concepts, and people simultaneously.

EDUCATION:

• Ph.D. in Biochemistry, 2010 – Texas A&M University, College Station, TX

• B.S. in Biochemistry, 2000 – University of Texas, Austin, TX

EXPERIENCE:

Postdoctoral Fellow, Laboratory of Dr. Maureen Gannon, Vanderbilt University, 1/11-Present

• Determined a time line for beta cell proliferation and mass, glucose and insulin metabolism, and

insulin resistance in response to high fat diet feeding

• Received formal training in histology, molecular cloning, genotyping, primer design, qRTPCR,

physiology, cell culture, and mouse metabolic testing (glucose and insulin tolerance testing)

• Responsible for the innovative development of an ex vivo small scale screening assay for islet cell

proliferative markers in intact mouse and human islets published in Biotechniques, December of

2013

• Skilled with imaging and quantifying islet and beta cell mass, both with isolated islets (human and

mouse) and in pancreatic tissue sections

• Proficient in handling and dissecting mice, performing inraperitoneal and subcutaneous injections,

and collecting blood from the saphenous and vena cava (sacrifice) veins

• Collaborated internally and externally to discover biomarkers that induce proliferation of the insulin

producing beta cell and have hands on experience in LC/MS and GC/MS

o Established working relationships with local experts in mass spectrometry and biological

statistics to investigate the differential proteomics of plasma samples

o Teamed with metabolomics specialists to ascertain the metabolite profile of samples

o Managed large data sets to determine relevant and highly probable candidate biomarkers

capable of inducing beta cell proliferation in vivo

• Authored three manuscripts, one accepted and one submitted to peer reviewed journals, another in

preparation, and submitted four (highly scored) grant proposals

• Experienced in online software tools including PubMed, UCSC Genome Browser, and NCBI

• Invited to speak at the 74th Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association

• Delivered three posters at research conferences

• Supervised the research activities of four graduate students

• Appointed as the Postdoctoral Representative, Program in Developmental Biology,

Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 06/12-06/13: Served as a voice for the postdoctoral fellows

among the Program’s faculty and staff, assisted in the organization of retreats, moderated two

scientific sessions, and was responsible for finding, inviting, and introducing an invited speaker at

the Program’s conference.

Research Fellow, Laboratory of Dr. Gregory Reinhart, Texas A&M University, 8/04-12/10

• Determined the allosteric, kinetic, and structural nature of 4 variants of a prokaryotic

phosphofructokinase

• Defined the role of the allosteric regulation of the quaternary shift in phosphofructokinase

• Received formal training in enzyme kinetics, recombinant protein purification, protein fluorescence

techniques (polarization and FRET), X-ray crystallography, and NMR spectroscopy

• First in laboratory’s 20 year history to perform crystallography and NMR spectroscopy to

determine enzyme and enzyme-ligand structures

• Highly proficient with analytical and biophysical approaches including, but not limited to, HPLC,

FPLC, ELISA, column chromatography, calorimeters, extrinsic and intrinsic fluorescence

techniques, spectrophotometers, spectrofluorometers and antibody methods

• Advanced knowledge of allosteric enzyme kinetics and deriving binding constants

• Gained extensive experience in Microsoft Office Suite, Endnote, protein structure programs

(Chimera, PyMol, and RasMol), Adobe Creative Suite, and curve fitting / statistical programs

(KaleidaGraph and Prism)

• Deposited four enzyme structures in the protein data bank

• Authored two manuscripts in a peer reviewed journal

• Delivered four posters and one oral presentation at international research conferences

• Teaching Assistant, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University,

8/05-5/09: Taught 70 senior level undergraduates per semester biochemistry metabolism

• Elected as President, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics Graduate Association,

Texas A&M University, 6/08-6/09: Led a team of 6 graduate students. Responsible for serving as

the graduate student’s voice by attending and reporting at faculty meetings. Coordinated and

organized multiple venues including vender shows, a 5K run, student help sessions, and

department wide gatherings.

• Received the Tony Ann Mistretta Award, 2009: Awarded to an outstanding graduate student

Research Associate, Rules Based Medicine, Inc., Austin, TX, 5/02-8/04

• Played a key role in a spinoff company to develop standard operating procedures

• Assisted in the concept and creation of multiplexed immunoassays

• Performed multiplexed immunoassays using the Luminex 100 system

• Received training in good lab practices, proper lab notebook maintenance, and OSHA standards

Research Associate, Luminex Corporation, Austin, TX, 6/00-5/02

• Received basic training in antibody assays, Luminex 100 bead based assays, and flow cytomtetry

• Developed blood based multiplexed assays to be used as predictive medicine

• Instrumental in the design and establishment of human and rodent multiplexed assays that

determined the blood concentrations of over 300 protein immunoassays

• Created and implemented an inventory tracking system for over 900 reagents

House Manager, University of Texas Women’s Cooperative, Austin, TX, 08/98-08/99

• Elected position held while attending the University of Texas full time

• Maintained the daily running of a living cooperative and managed the budget

• Mediated conflicts between house mates and assigned duties

• Enforced the policies and regulations of the University of Texas Dormitories

ORIGINAL WORK:

Publications:

1. Mosser, R.E. and Gannon, M. (2013) An assay for small scale screening of candidate β cell

proliferative factors using intact islets. Biotechniques, pg. 310-312, December 2013. PMID:

24344680.

2. Mosser, R. E., Maulis, M., Dunn, J., Poitout, V., Gannon, M. (2013) High fat diet induced beta cell

replication precedes insulin resistance in C57Bl/6J mice. Submitted to Diabetes, January 2014.

3. Mosser, R.E., Reddy M., Bruning, J., Sacchettini, J.C., and Reinhart, G.D. (2013) Redefining the

role of the quaternary shift in Bacillus stearothermophilus phosphofructokinase. Biochemistry,

pg. 5421-5429. 2013. PMID: 23859543

4. Mosser, R.E., Reddy, M.C., Bruning, J.B., Sacchettini, J.C., Reinhart, G.D.(2012) Structure of the

apo form of Bacillus searothermophilus phosphofructokinase. Biochemistry, pg. 769-775. 2012.

PMID: 22212099

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