Ph D Life Sciences

Location:

Tulsa, OK, 74103

Posted:

August 22, 2024

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Resume:

Zinar D. Simsek, Ph.D

Assistant Professor of Anatomy and Physiology

Tulsa Community College

Life Sciences Department

Email: *****.******@*******.*** Phone: 918-***-****

Education

**** **.*., Biomedical Sciences

Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology Track

Oklahoma State University - Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK USA

Advisor: Dr. Dolores Vazquez Sanroman

Committee: Dr. Kath Curtis, Tom Curtis, Dr Alicia Ford & Dr Julie Croff

2019 M.S., Biomedical Sciences

Neuropharmacology and Neurophysiology Track

Oklahoma State University - Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK USA

Advisors: Dr. Kath Curtis, Tom Curtis, Dr Randall Davis

2015 B.S., Biology

Molecular and Cellular Track

Northeastern State University, Broken Arrow, OK USA

Teaching Experience and Professional Appointments

As Instructor:

Tulsa Community College Department of Life Sciences (2018 to Present)

Human Anatomy (BIOL 2134)

Human Physiology (BIOL 2154)

As Histology Tech:

Saint Francis Hospital. Pathology Department

The Process of Standard Thin Sectioning of Patience.

Led participants through thin sectioning of oncology patience thin sectioning processing and preparation. March – July 2023

As Instructor Assistant:

Northeastern State University (2014-2015)

Advance Human Anatomy Teaching Assistant

Led undergrad students through Gross Anatomy dissection under supervision of Dr Sara Sloan for Advance Human Anatomy course.

Medical Microbiology Teaching Assistant

Led undergrad students through Medical Microbiology lab section under supervision of Dr Sue Woods for Medical Microbiology course. Assisted participants in hands-on lab activities

Immunology Teaching Assistant

Led undergrad students through Immunology lab section under supervision of Dr Sue Woods for Immunology course. Assisted participants in hands-on lab activities

As Summer Internship:

Oklahoma Idea Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (May -July 2016)

With mentorship of Dr. Kathleen Curtis at Oklahoma State University, department of pharmacology and physiology. Prestigious summer research program completed two months in the field of neuro-physiology, specifically effects of age and estrogen depletion on hypothalamic responses.

Oklahoma Idea Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (May -July 2015)

With mentorship of Dr. Randal Davis at Oklahoma State University, department of pharmacology and physiology. Prestigious summer research program completed two months in the field of neuro-pharmacology, specifically effects of Fluoxetine and Beta Funaltrexamine on Chemokine Expression in Normal Human Astrocytes.

Publications & Research Presentations

Refereed Articles (1):

Hardy RN, Simsek ZD, Curry B, Core SL, Beltz T, Xue B, Johnson AK, Thunhorst RL, Curtis KS. Aging affects isoproterenol-induced water drinking, astrocyte density, and central neuronal activation in female Brown Norway rats. Physiol Behav. 2018 Aug 1;192:90-97. doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2018.03.005. Epub 2018 Mar 5. PMID: 29518407; PMCID: PMC6019141.

Published Abstracts (24):

Simsek Z (2), Torres A (2), Wilson N. Vazquez-Sanroman D, Neuroscience Letters in process of revision. Early life stress and drug addiction: are social influences during adolescence determining drug vulnerability?.

Tyler C., (1), Santos J, Torres A., Simsek Z. (2), Koehler G., Vazquez-Sanroman D. OSU-CHS Research Day 2022.The role of Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor in the nucleus accumbens and the periaqueductal gray area during naloxone-precipitated oxycodone withdrawal in adolescent rats.

Simsek Z.D (2), Torres, A. (2), Santos, J. (3), Tyler, C. (1), A. Darbandi, O. (1), Hoang, K. (1), Curtis K., Vazquez-Sanroman D. Society for Neuroscience 2021 Meeting. July 12, 2021.Brain-derived neurotrophic factor changes in response to different sucrose binge drinking concentrations in adolescent male rats.

Torres A (2), Simsek Z. (2), Rivera S. (3), Richardson T. (3), Assefa S., Koehler G., Vazquez-Sanroman D. Society for Neuroscience 2021 Meeting. July 12, 2021.Differential rearing effects on the gut-brain axis after oxycodone precipitated withdrawal in adolescent rats.

Simsek Z. (2), Rivera S. (3), Richardson T. (3), Assefa S., Vazquez-Sanroman D., Koehler G. INTERACT Meeting. October 12, 2021. Impact of social stress in adolescent oxycodone dependence and withdrawal: is the Gut-Brain Axis implicated? Torres A (2).,

Hoang Katelyn (1), Torres Alejandro (2), Simsek Zinar (2), Vazquez-Sanroman Dolores Ph.D. Gulf Coast Undergraduate Research Symposium. September 6, 2021. ProBDNF and mature BDNF A Molecular Gatekeepers for Oxycodone and Harsh Environmental Effects in the Adolescent Brain.

Koehler G., Torres A. (2), Simsek Z. (2), Rivera S. (3), Richardson T. (3), Perez, B. (3), Assefa S., Vazquez-Sanroman D. Sequencing Finishing Analysis and Applications for the Future Meeting. August Friday 12th, 2021. Adverse Environments and Oxycodone-Induced Changes on The Microbiome-Gut-Brain Axis.

Hoang Katelyn (1), Torres Alejandro (2), Simsek Zinar (2), Darbandi Omid (1), Santos Jordan (3), Tyler Carolyn (1), Vazquez-Sanroman Dolores. 5th Annual Research Joint Meeting 2021. Thursday 22nd, 2021. Effects of early life stress in adolescent oxycodone-induced withdrawal: is BDNF the Answer?

Carolyn Tyler (1), Jordan Santos (3), Alejandro Torres (2), Simsek Zinar(2) Dolores Vazquez-Sanroman. 5th Annual Research Joint Meeting 2021. Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor Expression in the Periaqueductal Gray Matter of Adolescent Rats Under Oxycodone Intoxication and Withdrawal.

Simsek Z. (2)., Torres, A.(2), Santos, J.(3), Tyler, C. (1), A. Darbandi, O. (1), Hoang, K. (1), Curtis K., Vazquez-Sanroman D. 5th Annual Research Joint Meeting 2021. Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Changes in Response to Different Sucrose Binge Drinking Concentrations in Adolescent Male Rats.

Jordan Santos (3), Carolyn Tyler (1), Alejandro Torres (2), Omid Darbandi (1), Katelyn Hoang (1), Zinar Simsek (2), Vazquez-Sanroman D. 5th Annual Research Joint Meeting 2021. Thursday 22nd, 2021. Oxycodone Precipitated Withdrawal Changes pro-BDNF and mature-BDNF Levels of Expression in the NAc of Adolescent Rats.

Simsek Zinar (2) and Vazquez-Sanroman D. Oklahoma Microscopy Society Conference 2021. April 15, 2021. 3D Confocal Microscopy: A Resourceful Strategy in the Classroom",

Torres Alejandro (2), Simsek Zinar (2), Vazquez Sanroman D. OSU-CHS Research Day 2021. January 14, 2021. Oxycodone-induced dependence modifies BDNF levels within the fronto-cerebellar circuitry in adult male rats.

Simsek Zinar (2), Torres, A., Curtis K. Ph.D., Dolores Vazquez, Sanroman D. Ph.D. American Society for Cell Biology Washington D.C. Virtual. Dec 2-16 2020. Sucrose binge drinking predicts oxycodone conditioned place preference and modifies ProBDNF levels in brain reward areas.

Torres A., Simsek Zinar, (2) Vazquez Sanroman D., PhD. American Society for Cell Biology Washington D.C. Virtual. Dec 2-16, 2020. ProBDNF changes in the fronto-cerebellar circuitry after oxycodone-induced place preference in adult rats.

Simsek Zinar (2), Torres A., Curtis K. Ph.D, Vazquez Sanroman D. Ph.D, Society for Advancement in Chicanos/Hispanic & Native American in Science. Oct 19-24. California Virtual. July 10 2020. Oxycodone rewarding effects on BDNF and its precursor in the adult brain. Poster Presentation.

Simsek Z (2)., Torres A. (2), Curtis K., Vazquez- Sanroman D. Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS 2020). July 10, 2020. Sugar binge drinking effects during adolescence in oxycodone hedonic effects in adult rats.

Torres A (2)., Simsek Z. (2), Curtis K. Ph.D., Vazquez -Sanroman D. Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS 2020). July 10, 2020. The cerebellum and oxycodone reward, is BDNF the Answer?

Khalid M. (3), Simsek Z. (2), Herath D. Ph.D, Ford A Ph.D, Vazquez-Sanroman D. 4th annual Research Joint Meeting. July 23,2020 Tulsa, Oklahoma. BDNF and proBDNF levels in Early Substance Abuse Treatment.

Simsek, Z. (2), Vazquez Sanroman D. Wilson N, 4th annual Research Joint Meeting. July 23, 2020Tulsa, Oklahoma Using Image J for analyzing Neuronal Primary Cilia. Thomas DC. (1),.

Simsek Z. (2), Torres A. (2), Curtis K., Vazquez-Sanroman D. Society for Neuroscience 2020. Oxycodone Conditioned Place Preference effects on Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in the Prefrontal cortex, Nucleus accumbens and Cerebellum of adult male rats.

Simsek Z., (2), Curtis K. Vazquez -Sanroman D. Experimental Biology Meeting 2020. Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor Changes in Response To Sucrose Intake In Adolescent Rats.

Simsek, Zinar D (2), Kath Curtis, Vazquez -Sanroman D. Research Day OSU-CHS 2020. Sweet reward: sucrose intake effects in the adolescence prefrontal cortex, Is BDNF the Answer.

Simsek, Zinar (2), Vazquez-Sanroman D, Kath Curtis. 12th Annual Oklahoma Service-Learning Conference 2019. Experience of Graduate Students in Stem Outreach Classes Employing Different Strategies. Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences.

Oral and Poster Research Presentations (13):

Simsek Zinar (2) and Vazquez-Sanroman D. Oklahoma Microscopy Society Conference 2021. April 15, 2021. 3D Confocal Microscopy: A Resourceful Strategy in the Classroom",

Simsek, Z. (2), Vazquez Sanroman D. Wilson N, 4th annual Research Joint Meeting. July 23, 2020Tulsa, Oklahoma Using Image J for analyzing Neuronal Primary Cilia. Thomas DC. (1),.

Simsek Z., (2), Curtis K. Vazquez -Sanroman D. Experimental Biology Meeting 2020. Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor Changes in Response to Sucrose Intake In Adolescent Rats.

Simsek, Zinar D (2), Kath Curtis, Vazquez -Sanroman D. Research Day OSU-CHS 2020. Sweet reward: sucrose intake effects in the adolescence prefrontal cortex, Is BDNF the Answer.

Research Funding and Awards

2022 OSU-CHS Outstanding Biomedical Graduate Student Award

Nominee

2019 OSU-CHS Graduate Scholar Dr. Randall Davis Travel Award $1800

2016 Oklahoma Idea Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence,

2nd place in Undergraduate category with my 2015 INBRE Research.

2015 Oklahoma Idea Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence,

1st place in Undergraduate category with my 2014 INBRE Research.

2015 Graduated with summa-cum laude recognition Northeastern State University

Volunteering and Outreach

2016-2023 Lead Organizer: Student Science Fair, Eugene Field Elementary School, Tulsa, OK

Developed 3-day ‘science fair’ for elementary school student participants; Emphasis on scientific concepts of the scientific method, hypothesis testing, compiling results, and interpreting data.

Lead Presenter & Participant: STEM Outreach Series, Eugene Fields Elementary School, Tulsa, OK

Monthly series of outreach events for elementary students; Designed and presented paleontological science outreach [3 events]; Assisted presenters in outreach presentations [7 events] covering physiology, microbiology, and kinesiology.

Co-organizer: YMCA Science Outreach, Tulsa, OK

Designed neuroanatomy outreach materials for elementary school students in after-school program at YMCA; Developed multiple take-home experiments emphasizing the scientific method and STEM learning.

2016-2023 Student Volunteer: Brain Awareness Week, OSU-CHS, Tulsa, OK

Assisted in locating businesses, groups, and public entities for dispersing virtual brain awareness week materials; Emphasis on improving mental health in at-risk groups during pandemic.

2017- 2022 Organizer: Biomedical Sciences Graduate Student Association Coffee Break, OSU-CHS, Tulsa, OK

Monthly social coffee breaks on campus for faculty and students in Biomedical Sciences department; Developed coffee break event to encourage socialization between graduate students and faculty.

2019 Student Volunteer: Eugene Fields Mayday Extravaganza, Eugene Fields Elementary, Tulsa, OK

Presenter: Neuroanatomy Outreach Eugene Fields Elementary, Tulsa, OK.

Presented human brain model to rat brain and sheep brain to elementary school students.

2016- 2022 Student Volunteer: STEM Night, Roy Clark Elementary School, Tulsa, OK

Presented STEM based topics to elementary students and parents; Utilized hands-on materials to teach basics of scientific method and hypothesis testing.

Organizer & Student Volunteer: Student Science Fair, Eugene Field Elementary School, Tulsa, OK

Developed science projects for 3-day science fair with elementary student participants; Assisted multiple teams of students with implanting hypothesis testing, compiling results, and interpreting data.

Mentor: Dr Kath Curtis, Dr. Dolores Vazquez

Service

2022 Panel moderator at Northeastern State University in both Tahlequah and Broken Arrow campuses.

2020 Coordinator of panel discussions for pre-medical students to assist in achieving their career goals.

2016-2022 Lead participant to teach the basics of the brain structures to pre-medical students.

2020 Chair and Organizer: 4th annual OSP-SFN TABERC JOINT MEETING

Workshops Attended

2017 Alzheimer Association during Brain Awareness.

How to Perform Ballroom Dance to help with individuals with Alzheimer Disease. Oklahoma State University College for Health Sciences.

Dr. Kath Curtis (OSU-CHS)

Memberships

Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)

Society for Neuroscience (SFN)

Society for Neuroscience Tulsa Chapter (SFN-Tulsa)

American Physiological Society (APS)

Oklahoma Microscopy Society (OMS)

Tulsa Geological Society (TGS)

American Association of Petroleum Geologist (AAPG)

Contact this candidate