Brendan W. Mormile

**** * ********** *** *** Arbor, MI 48109 ad4i7q@r.postjobfree.com 203-***-****

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

-Trained in molecular biology and CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing, with extensive knowledge in genetics and microbiology

-Proficient with multiplex gene editing, molecular cloning, vector design and construction, and gene silencing

-Versatile as a team member and project lead, as demonstrated through interdisciplinary research endeavors and organization of academic conferences

-Exceptional scientific communication skills with strong track record of articulating concepts to diverse audiences through oral presentations, written progress reports, and publications

EDUCATION

Ph.D - Plant Pathology 2017 - 2023

Texas A&M University, College Station, TX

Dissertation: TAL Effector Adaptation and Virulence Evolution in Bacterial Blight of Cotton

Awarded College of Agriculture and Life Science 2017 Excellence Fellowship

M.Sc - Biology 2014 - 2016

Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, CT

Thesis: Influence of Seed Microbiome on Fitness of Epichloë Infected Tall Fescue Seedlings

B.Sc - Biology 2007 - 2012

Merrimack College, North Andover, MA

RELEVANT SKILLS

Benchling Bioinformatics Biotechnology BLAST Cell culture CRISPR-Cas9 DNA/RNA extraction Gene silencing GraphPad Prism Microsoft office Molecular cloning PCR/RT-qPCR Protoplast isolation R RNAi SDS-PAGE SnapGene Western blot

EXPERIENCE

Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 2023 - present

Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology

-Contributing member of a research group investigating fungal virulence proteins through development of a CRISPR-Cas9-mediated mutant library for disease screening assays

-Regularly implement virus-induced gene silencing techniques by constructing recombinant virus vectors to precisely target cotton genes

-Engineering and optimizing a novel virus-vectored CRISPR-Cas9 system for heritable genetic modifications in cotton germ cells

-Organizing data for publication and biweekly presentations in a concise and timely manner

-Securing and maintaining necessary USDA permits

Graduate Research Assistant, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 2017 - 2023

Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology Department of Biochemistry

-Led a research project in collaboration with Cornell University that identified a bacterial virulence protein and its targeted susceptibility genes in cotton plants

-Screened susceptibility gene candidates by cloning their promoters into a luciferase reporter construct for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of Arabidopsis

-Established disease resistant cotton through targeted mutagenesis of multiple susceptibility genes via CRISPR-Cas9-mediated multiplex gene editing

-Developed an innovated method of disease resistance using a pathogen-inducible artificial microRNA construct to knockdown susceptibility gene expression

-Wrote comprehensive quarterly progress reports for funding agencies, combining technical overviews and accessible summaries tailored for broader audiences

Lab Animal Technician, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 2014 - 2017

-Performed drug administration, sample collection, pre-and post-procedural care

-Evaluated animals for illness, stress, and deviations from normal conditions

-Adhered to strict IACUC regulations for animal use protocols

-Achieved LATG certification from AALAS

Lab Technician, Jule Biotechnologies, Milford, CT 2012 - 2014

-Constructed precast polyacrylamide gels for 1D and 2D electrophoresis

-Routinely conducted PAGE quality control procedures

-Prepared chemical reagents and buffer solutions

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

Organizing Committee Chair, Texas A&M Genome Editing Symposium 2019 - 2021

-Managed logistical operations and budgeted finances

-Delegated responsibilities to committee members

-Raised $20,000 in sponsorships from the university and private businesses

Organizing Committee Member, Texas A&M Genome Editing Symposium 2018 - 2019

-Initiated an inaugural research symposium, hosting 200-300 attendees

-Selected distinguished keynote speakers and travel scholars from across the United States

-Led instructional workshops for using CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing techniques

SELECT PRESENTATIONS

Mormile, B. TAL Effector-mediated Susceptible to Bacterial Blight of Cotton. University of Michigan, Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Retreat. October 2023. Ann Arbor, MI. *2nd place oral presentation

Mormile, B. TAL Effector-mediated Susceptible to Bacterial Blight of Cotton and Generation of CRISPR-mediated Resistance. Merrimack College, Department of Biology. April 2023. North Andover, MA. Invited lecturer.

Mormile, B. TAL Effector-induced Susceptible and CRISPR-Cas9-mediated Resistance to Bacterial Blight of Cotton. University of Minnesota, Plant Science Symposium. March 2023. Saint Paul, MN. *2nd place graduate student oral presentation

Mormile, B. Characterization and Disruption of TAL Effector-mediated Susceptibility in Bacterial Blight of Cotton. Texas A&M University, Plant Breeding Symposium. February 2022. College Station, TX. *Graduate student oral presentation winner

Mormile, B. TAL Effector Adaptation and Virulence Evolution in Bacterial Blight of Cotton. Texas A&M University, Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology Graduate Student Poster Symposium. April 2021. College Station, TX. *1st place poster

Mormile, B. Fundamentals of Genome Editing using CRISPR-Cas9. JR Biotek Foundation Virtual “Reach & Teach” Scientific Lecture Series in Africa. October 2020. Virtual presentation.

Mormile, B. gRNA Design and Off-target Minimization for Genome Editing with CRISPR-Cas9. American Society of Plant Biologist. Plant Biology 2020 Worldwide Summit. July 2020. Virtual presentation.

Mormile, B. Genome Editing Using CRISPR-Cas9 Induced Homology Directed Repair. Texas A&M University. Genome Editing Symposium. October 2019. College Station, TX. Workshop instructor.

Mormile, B. Genome Editing in Arabidopsis and Cotton via Virus-Vector Based CRISPR-Cas9. Texas A&M University. Plant Breeding and Genetics Circle. November 2018. College Station, TX. Oral presentation.

PUBLICATIONS

Mormile, B., Bauer, T., Carpenter, S.D., Wang, L., Clement, C.D., Ma, X., Cox, K., Wheeler, T., Dever, J., He, P., Bogdanove, A., and Shan, L. (In preparation). Synergistic Activation of Three Targets by a TAL Effector Confers Susceptibility to Bacterial Blight of Cotton.

Wang, P., Mormile, B., and He, P. (2021). A ‘GLoRy’ Battle for Cotton Against Fusarium. Trends in Plant Science.

Babilonia, K., Wang P., Liu, Z., Jamieson, P., Mormile, B., Rodrigues, O., Zhang, L., Lin, W., Clement, C.D., Menezes de Moura, S., Alves-Ferreira, M., Finlayson, S., Nichols, R., Wheeler, T., Dever, J., Shan, L., and He, P. (2020). A Nonproteinaceous Fusarium Cell Wall Extract Triggers Receptor-like Protein-dependent Immune Responses in Arabidopsis and Cotton. New Phytologist.

Roberts, E.L., Mormile, B., and Adamcek, C. (2019). Fitness Attributes of Bacterial and Fungal Seed Endophytes of Tall Fescue. Book chapter, Seed Endophytes: Biology and Biotechnology.

Mormile, B. (2016). Influence of Seed Microbiome on Fitness of Epichloë Infected Tall Fescue Seedlings. Master’s thesis. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing 10248064

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