Didzis Pilans, Ph.D. Phone: 847-***-**** Email: adgnj0@r.postjobfree.com

I am looking for a position in cancer research, research in molecular or cell biology, biotechnology, or cell microscopy.

Relevant Skills

Basic cell biology and molecular biology techniques: a) cell-based assays, b) DNA electrophoresis, c) Sanger sequencing, d) Transfection with plasmid DNA and siRNA, e) Western Blot, f) ELISA, g) BCA protein assay, h) moist heat sterilization, i) PCR

Microscopy techniques: a) Immunofluorescence and visualization of cellular components, b) High-resolution confocal microscopy for live cell imaging, c) Structured illumination microscopy (SIM), e) Image analysis using ImageJ, Imaris

Additional techniques: a) Mammalian cell culture, b) Microfluidic applications for cell biology, c) Nanotechnology applications in cancer biology, d) Cell micro-patterning, e) Thermal evaporation of thin-film metal substrates, f) Lecturing biology and genetics, g) Biosafety managing h) In vitro cell based assays

Computer skills: Microsoft Word, Excel, Photoshop, PowerPoint

Language skills: English, Russian, Latvian

Teaching Experience

Indiana University Northwest, Gary, IN USA; adjunct faculty, molecular biology teacher 01/2020 -

Department of Biology

Research Experience

Northwestern University, Chicago, IL USA; Postdoctoral Fellow 09/2015 – 11/2017

Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine; PI: Prof. Robert Goldman, PhD

Project: The role of vimentin and cell mechanics in the Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) and Metastasis

Designed and optimized wounding assays for cell motility studies which showed immediate vimentin response and its role in wound healing. Performed in vitro cellular assays

Investigated co-alignment of different cytoskeletal filaments using 3D-structured illumination microscopy which revealed direct interaction between microtubules and vimentin network in high resolution

Managed collaborations in joint projects among two (2) groups in order to explore cytoskeletal filament interaction

Northwestern University, Evanston, IL USA; Visiting Research Scholar 10/2009 – 03/2015

Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering; PI: Prof. Bartosz A. Grzybowski, PhD

Project: The development of microassay systems for the diagnosis of metastatic cancer

Optimized cell conditions for experiments in physics, which resulted in a novel way of tissue engineering

Trained physicists and chemists in cell biology assays which led to the development of three (3) cross-disciplinary projects

Developed innovative methods for nanotechnology applications in eliminating cancer cells

Riga Stradiņš University, Riga, Latvia; Research Associate, Lecturer; 06/2006 – 06/2009

Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, PI: Dr. Baiba Lace, MD, MSc, PhD

Project: Single Gene Disease-Causing Mutations Affecting the Pathogenesis and Diagnosis

Maintained patient data base with up to 100 patient data entries

Completed genetic analysis for mutations

Provided physicians with results in order to inform appropriate diagnosis and execute treatment of disease

Additional Experience

Food production enterprise “Alsīda”, Riga, Latvia; owner 05/2002 – 08/2007

Managed 60 people in a startup environment

Led hiring and training of company personnel

Over three (3) years of operation reached 250,000.000 EUR in revenues

Latvian Ministry of Environment, Riga, Latvia; Specialist for Emission Allowances 03/2001 – 07/2004

Introduced an emission allowances trading system in Latvia

Trained representatives of fifty (50) manufacturing companies in an emission allowances trading system

Education

Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland; PhD Biotechnology 10/2009 – 11/2015

Research Field: Cancer Cell Biology

Thesis: “Controlling the cytoskeletal structure and dynamics using chemically micropatterned substrates”

University of Latvia, Riga, Latvia; M.Sc. Biology 09/2005 – 06/2007

University Latvia of Agriculture, Jelgava, Latvia; B.Sc. Forestry Engineering 09/1994 – 07/2000

Selected (3 of 8) Publications

1.Timonen JVI, Raimondo C, Pilans D, Pillai PP, Grzybowski BA. “Trapping, manipulation, and crystallization of live cells using magnetofluidic tweezers”. Nanoscale Horiz. 2017, (2)50-54. http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C6NH00104A

2.Huda S, Pilans D, Makurath M, Hermans T, Kandere-Grzybowska K, Grzybowski BA.“Microfabricated Systems and Assays for Studying the Cytoskeletal Organization, Micromechanics, and Motility Patterns of Cancerous Cells.” Adv. Mater. Interfaces, 2014, 7, 1. http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C3IB40144H

3.Hermans T, Pilans D, Huda S, Fuller P, Kandere-Grzybowska K, Grzybowski BA. "Motility efficiency and spatiotemporal synchronization in non-metastatic vs. metastatic breast cancer cells", Integrative Biology, 2013, http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C3IB40144H

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