Safety Officer Medical
Resume:
Miriam Virtudes Rivas Ph.D.
Email: *********@*****.***
Email: *****@*****.****.***
Durham, NC 27703
Goal: To obtain a Position as Scientist at a BioTech or Academic Institution
Education: Graduate Center of the City University of New York, New York, NY
United States, Ph.D. in Biology 06/1991
Hunter College, New York, NY, United States, Bachelor's of Arts, Major
Biology, Minor Chemistry 06/1979
Work Experience:
08/2011 to Present Veteran Affair's Medical Center 508 Fulton Street Durham, NC 27701 United States
Biologist/Molecular Biologist
Duties:
Collaborated with Neurosurgeon to investigate new potential targeted treatments for the brain cancer known as glioblastoma multiforme. Performed glioblastoma cell culture assays to determine the signal transductional pathways activated in the presence of an anti-migratory protein (AJAP1). Cloned and produce proteins from AJAP1 binding partners identified via a pull-down experiment and a proteomic screen. Developed in-vitro binding assays specific for membrane proteins using the HaloTaq system of Promega.
Accomplishments:
Gained incite into AJAP1 biological binding partners with a lead into the signal transductional pathway it uses to perform its anti-migratory function. This information may be used to design therapeutic inhibitors or activators to prevent cancerous metastatic infiltration of this brain tumor.
Skills Used:
Mammalian cell culture, proliferation assays (MTT), apoptotic assays, migration assays, infiltration assays, viral production and transfections, DNA cloning, site-directed mutagenesis, protein purification, electrophoresis, protein quantitation, western blot analysis, design of protein array binding assays.
11/2005 - 05/2011 Duke University Medical Center, Bryan Research Building, Department of Neurobiology, Durham, NC 27701 United States
Research Associate
Duties:
Collaborated with interdisciplinary scientists to study the molecular mechanisms of vocal learning using biochemical and behavioral methodologies. Developed a high-throughput platform for mRNA profiling of small brain nuclei using RNA-Seq. Prepared DNA for sequencing via the Illumina platform. Managed a large scale research project from design through implementation. Drafted and edited manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals. Supervised and mentored dozens of undergraduate and graduate students. Constructed full-length cDNA libraries of expressed genes in different behavioral brain states of the Zebra Finch brain.
Accomplishments:
Contributed to the greater understanding of the evolution of vocal learning in humans using the songbird as a model system. Collaborated in the establishment of a public data base of Zebra Finch brain full-length genes, www.songbirdtranscriptome.net used by scientist world wide. From this resource 60mer primers were designed to generate microarray representing all expressed genes in different brain states of Zebra Finch brains for public distribution on a per/fee basis. The Jarvis lab at Duke University and others have used this resource to study the molecular basis of learned vocal behavior in birds.
Skills Used:
DNA and RNA analysis, RT-PCR, cDNA full-length library construction, RNA-Seq library construction, in-situ hybridizations, DNA and RNA extraction (tissue and blood), plasmid mini preps, UV-visible and fluorescent spectrocopy, histology techniques, cryostat and microtome sectioning, laser capture microdissection, basic microscopy, animal husbandry (avian and rodent), transcardial perfusion, lyophilization, hazard waste disposal (chemical and radioactive), DNA sequence analysis (National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), Illumina platform, curation and annotation of Zebra Finch genes via manual inspection for homology to vertebrate and human genes.
09/2004 - 03/2005 DNA Security Inc., 1902 Tucker Street, Burlington, NC 27215 United States
Forensic Specialist
Duties:
Forensic DNA investigator experienced in DNA analysis using the Short Tandem Repeat method. Determined paternity as well as identity in criminal investigations for public and private detective investigators.
Skills Used:
Operation of the capillary electrophoresis array machine the ABI 3100. Prepared reports of genetic results for private and public customers. Prepared and adhered to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
12/2001 - 10/2004 Duke University Medical Center, Department of Cell Biology,
Nanaline Duke Building, Durham, NC 27701 United States
Research Associate
Duties:
Isolation of keratinocyte stem cells from human skin using flowcytometry.
Compared gene expression in melanoma vs. normal skin with microarrays. Coordinated patients consent and doctors for the collection of human skin samples via IRB approved protocol.
Skills Used:
Culture primary human keratinocytes from human skin biopsies. Composed
successfully approved IRB protocols for working with human subjects.
06/1990 - 12/2001 The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, Laboratory for Investgative Dermatology, New York, NY 10065 United States
Research Associate
Duties:
Studied differential regulation of gene expression in psoriatic and wound healing human skin using differential display technology. Laboratory Safety officer for radioactive and biological hazards with a Certificate of Fitness, type C14 Charge of Chemical Laboratory issued by the NYC Fire Department. Composed successfully approved IRB for working with human skin.
Accomplishments:
Discovered new dis-regulated genes in the human skin disease psoriasis and compared them to normal and wound healing skin. Tested the efficacy of drug treatments in psoriatic skin as well as in keratinocyte and T-cell cultures.
Skills Used:
Isolation of RNA from human skin, PCR, differential display technology, in-situ hybridization, keratinocyte cell culture, T-cell isolation via crawl out culture from human skin, DNA sequencing, skin cDNA gene libraries, immunohistochemistry.
09/1982 - 09/1983 The Hospital for Joint Disease, 301 East 17th Street, New York, NY 10003 United States
Work Study Student
Duties:
Performed HLA typing to match organ donors to organ recipients and studied the immunogenetics of cell surface antigens and it relationship to rheumatoid
arthritis.
Accomplishments:
Learned the immunogenetics of cell surface antigens.
Skills Used:
Immunocytochemistry
06/1979- 06/1981, Henrt Street Settlement, 265 Henry Street, New York NY 10002, United States
Head Work-site Supervisor and Horticulturist
Duties:
Supervised 2 counselors in charged of adolescents at risk in the science of horticultural activities for planting grass, bulbs and ornamental trees and shrubs for the New York City Parks Department.
Skills used:
Knowledge of plant biology, testing soil conditions (pH) and fertilizing to bring out the aesthetic beauty of ornamental plants in a city environment.
Professional Publications:
Liang Z., Fee B.F., Rivas M.V., Lin J., Adamson D.C. (2014) Adherens junctional associated protein-1: A novel 1p36 tumor suppressor candidate in gliomas (review). Int. J. Oncol. 44(6): doi:10.3892/ijo.2014.2425
Han L., Zhang K-L., Zhang J-X., Zeng L., Di C-H., Fee B., Rivas M., Bao Z-S., Jiang T., Bigner D., Kang C-S., Adamson D.C. (2014) AJAP1 is dysregulated at an early stage of gliomagenesis and suppresses invasion through cytoskeleton reorganization. CNS Neurosci. and Ther. Doi:10.111/cns.12232.
Zeng L., Kang C., Di Chunhui., Fee B., Rivas M., Lin J., Adamson D. C., (2014) The adherens junctional-associated protein 1 is a negative regulator of MAGEA2, which potentiates temozolomide-induced apoptosis in GBM. Int. J. Oncol. Jan 24 doi: 10.3892/ijo.2014.2277.
Jarvis E.D., Yu J., Rivas M.V., Horita H., Feenders G., Whitney O., Jarvis S.C., Jarvis E.R., Kubikova L., Puck A.E.P., Siang-Bakshi C., Martin S., McElroy M., Hara E., Howard J., Mouritsen H., Chen C., Wada K. (2013) A global view of the functional molecular organization of the avian cerebrum: Mirror images and functional columns.
J.Comp.Neurol. 521:3614-3665.
Hara H., Rivas M.V., Ward J.M., Okanoya K., Jarvis E.D.(2012) Convergent differential regulation of parvalbumin in the brains of vocal learners. PLoS ONE.7(1):e29457.
Horita H., Wada K., Rivas M.V., Hara E., Jarvis E.D. (2010) The dusp1 immediate early gene is regulated by natural stimuli predominantly in sensory input neurons. J.Comp.Neurol.518:2873-2901.
Rivas M.V. and Jarvis E.D. (2009) Behaviorally regulated mRNA and protein expression in the songbird brain. In: Frontiers in Neuroscience, pp239-262 Neuroproteomics. Alzalte O. (ed). CRC Press,Fl.
Feenders G., Liedvogel M., Rivas M.V., Zapka M., Horita H., Hara H., Wada K., Mouritsen H., Jarvis E.D.(2008) Molecular mapping of movement associated areas in the avian brain: A motor theory for vocal learning origin. PLoS ONE 3(3):e1768.Doi 10.1371/journal.pone.0001768.
Wada K., Howard J., McConnel P., Whitney O., Lents T., Rivas M.V., Horita H., Patterson M., White S.A., Schraff C., Haesler S., Zhao S., Sakaguchi H.,Hagiwara M., Shiraki T., Hirozane-Kishikawa T., Skene p., Hayashizaki Y.,Carninci P., Jarvis E.D. (2006). A molecular neuro-ethological approach to identifying a cascade of behaviorally regulated genes. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.USA 103:152**-*****.
Jarvis E.D. Smith V.A., Rivas M.V., Wada K., McElroy M., Smulders T.V., Carninci P., Hayashisaki y.,Dietrich F., Wu X., McConnel P., Wang P., Lin S.,(2002) A frame work for integrating the songbird brain. J.Comp.Physiol.188:961-980.
Rivas M.V., Jarvis E.D., Morisaki S., Carbonaro H., Gottlieb A.B. Krueger J.G. (1997) Identification of aberrantly regulated genes in diseased skin using the cDNA differential display technique. J. Invest. Dermatol. 108:188-194.
Mello C.V., Jarvis E.D., Denisenko N., Rivas M.V. (1997) Isolation of song-regulated genes in the brain of songbirds. In: Methods in Molecular Biology, Differential Display Methods and Protocols vol 85, pp 205-217. Liang P.and A.B.Pardee (eds), Humana Press, NJ.
Gottlieb A.B., Grossman R.M., Khanke L., Carter D.M., Sehgal P.B., Fu S.M., Granelli-Piperno A., Rivas M.V., Barazani L., Krueger J.G. (1992) Studies of the effects of cyclosporine in psoriasis: In Vivo; Combined effects on activated T lymphocytes and epidermal regenerative maturation. J. Invest. Dermatol. 98:302-309.
Rivas M.V., Jarvis E.D., Rudner R. (1990) The structure of the trpE, trpD and trpC genes of Bacillus pumilus. Gene 87:71-78
Additional Information: Ph.D. Thesis 1991: Structural and Functional Studies of the trp
E, trpD and trpC operon of Bacillus pumilus
To complete my Ph.D thesis I had to become a microbiologist as the organism in the study was a gram positive bacteria. Therefore I used standard microbiological methods such as sterile technique, bacterial culturing in both defined or rich solid and liquid media. Bacterial transformation with both bacterial chromosomal and plasmid DNA. Techniques I still use today but now I use gram negative bacteria (E.coli) as my mini plasmid and protein making factories.
Teaching Experience:
Adjunct Lecturer: 1985-1990
Taught the following undergraduate courses at Hunter College 1983-1990:
Molecular Biology, Molecular Genetics, Principles of Biology I and II Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Mathematics and Pre-Calculus.
Awards:
Richter Award for Excellence in Teaching, Hunter College 1989.
Grants and Private Funding Applied for and Successfully Obtain:
NIH/NIAMS KO1 Award# AR02066 1999-2004
Lester I. Conrad Inc. Foundation Award 1993-1994
B.Altman Fellowship for Women Scientist 1991-1993
Mastered Computer Programs:
Microsoft Office, Excel, Power Point, Adobe PhotoShop, FIGI Image (NIH Image 1.64).
References upon request
Miriam Rivas: *********@*****.*** or *****@*****.****.***
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