Health Office

CURRICULUM VITAE

Yasmine M. Hoballah, B.S Biology

CONTACT INFORMATION

The University of Texas at MD Anderson Cancer Center 1515 Holcombe Blvd

School of Health Professions

Unit Number: 002

Houston, Texas 77030

Room Number: Main Building YB.5719

Email: **********@**********.***

CITZENSHIP

United States

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science in Biology, Cum Laude 2018

University of St. Thomas

Houston, Texas, 2018

Master of Science in Diagnostic Genetics; 2021 (expected) Molecular Genetics and Genomics

The University of Texas at MD Anderson Cancer Center School of Health Professions

Houston, Texas

AWARDS

Layla Alfadel-Reed Endowed Scholarship 2017-2018

Department of Biology

University of St. Thomas, Houston, Texas

Basilian Distinguished Scholarship 2014-2018

University of St. Thomas, Houston, Texas

CURRICULUM VITAE YASMINE M. HOBALLAH, B.S BIOLOGY

Undergraduate Research Grant 2016-2018

University of St. Thomas, Houston, Texas

Honors Program Research Grant 2017

Department of Honors

University of St. Thomas, Houston, Texas

Honorable Mention in Presentation for Metagenomic Characterization of Viruses Carried by Mosquitos in the Greater Houston Area

BEARS Symposium

University of St. Thomas, Houston, Texas 2016

University Grant 2014-2018

University of St. Thomas, Houston, Texas

Returning Student Grant 2015-2018

University of St. Thomas, Houston, Texas

Dean’s List for Outstanding Academic Achievement 2014-2018 University of St. Thomas, Houston, Texas

EXPERIENCE

Teaching and Laboratory Assistant

Chemistry Department

University of St. Thomas, Houston, Texas January 2018- May 2018 Interacting with students and the professor during experiments that is essential to the role of the position. Aiding students in general chemistry techniques, such as the identification of specific chemical compounds within “unknown” mixtures. Tutoring/Reviewing with students for practicum and course examinations. Maintaining safe and sterile work environment for students by utilizing various aseptic techniques. Preparation and disposal of working reagents as well as calibration of equipment.

RELATED EXPERIENCE

Laboratory Organizer

Chemistry Department

University of St. Thomas, Houston, Texas June 2017 – August 2017 CURRICULUM VITAE YASMINE M. HOBALLAH, B.S BIOLOGY

Packing and moving laboratory equipment such as teaching material, technological instruments, and reagents between campus laboratories. Organizing laboratory equipment within designated campus laboratories while maintaining overall safety of the laboratory environment.

RESEARCH

“Characterizing the viral communities carried by mosquitos in Houston: a metagenomic approach”

Hoballah,Y., Phan, A., Agudelo, P., Quiroz, M., Hasan, A., Silva, S., Alshaarbaf, A., Irfan, A., Rosell, R.C., and Larios-Sanz, M. Department of Biology, University of St. Thomas, Houston, Texas

Primary Investigators: Rosie Rosell, Ph.D. and Maia Larios-Sanz, Ph.D. The study aims to characterize viral communities carried by mosquitos within the Greater Houston area using a metagenomic analysis. This approach can be used to study the microbial/viral communities harbored by mosquitos while greatly expanding viral sequence libraries. Metagenomic analyses will allow for the identification of viral populations carried by mosquitos in areas susceptible to vector-borne illnesses like Houston, while also distinguishing the viruses carried between both species and sex.

“Identification and genotyping of Streptococcal isolates using sequencing and PCR- based methods”

*Bellman, A. C., *Domogala, D. D., *Hoballah, Y. M., *Lin, Y., Tang, H., Varghese, V., Liu, X., Kalia, A. The University of Texas at MD Anderson Cancer Center, School of Health Professions, Houston, Texas.

Primary Investigator: Awdhesh Kalia, Ph.D.

*These authors contributed equally and are listed in alphabetical order The aim of this study is to identify the genotypes of multiple strains of an unidentified Streptococcal pathogen with unknown origin. Multi-locus sequence typing via traditional Sanger sequencing, as well whole genome assembly using next-generation sequencing identified allelic variants between strains. Random amplification of polymorphic DNA analysis and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis were also performed to further identify specific clones, as well as the possibility of multi-drug resistance within each strain. Each genotyping method was also evaluated for efficacy and efficiency in the clinical setting when determining bacterial identity and overall clinical significance. OTHER RESEARCH

CURRICULUM VITAE YASMINE M. HOBALLAH, B.S BIOLOGY

“Exploring the notion of the so-called ‘The Culture of Death’ with a particular focus on the notion ‘Is Death Sometimes Glorified in Society’”

*Bhalla, S., *Chen, J., *Hernandez, A., *Hoballah, Y., *Malone, L., *Markose, K.,

*Shamoon, U. Department of Honors, University of St. Thomas, Houston, Texas. Primary Investigator: Terry Hall, Ph.D. and Steven Jensen, Ph.D.

*These authors contributed equally and are listed in alphabetical order The aim of this study is to discuss a supposed social phenomenon and any of its particular moral and ethical implications within a team students with various backgrounds and viewpoints regarding the particular phenomenon. The student researchers reach a general consensus while maintaining his or her own viewpoints regarding the matter, especially with individual focus subtopics. This type of study was designed to bring together students of differing views to reach common ground and work towards a solution that mirrors real-world problem-solving within a team.

SKILLS AND SERVICES

Performing quality assurance and quality control analyses using NanoDropTM and Qubit spectrophotometers

Performing quality assurance and quality control analyses using capillary electrophoresis on Agilent BioanalyzerTM and Agilent TapestationTM

Constructing whole genome sequence libraries via de novo assembly using Next Generation sequencing and Sanger sequencing

Experience using high throughput sequencers such as IlluminaTM MiSeq IlluminaTM MiniSeq technologies

Experience in procedural computer programming and programming language such as Java, and C.

Experience using programming software/software language such as Python, as well as operating systems such as Linux

Proficient in analyzing sequencing data using analysis tools such as DNAStar, Galaxy, and NCBI BLAST

Experience in designing and implementing primer sequences using BLAST and and UCSC Genome Browser tools

Cell culturing and maintenance as well as extensive work with induction of apoptosis using immortalized HeLa cells

Experience in implementing CRISPR/Cas-9 genome editing and its analysis.

Proficient in several microbiological and immunological techniques and assays: biochemical exams, disc diffusion, E-Test, Gram staining, tissue staining, DNA/RNA isolation, Ouchterlony immunodiffusion, Western blot, ELISA, affinity chromatography, column chromatography, flow cytometry immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, native and non-native gel electrophoresis, SDS-PAGE, media aliquoting, qPCR. CURRICULUM VITAE YASMINE M. HOBALLAH, B.S BIOLOGY

RESEARCH AREAS OF INTEREST

Microbiology, specifically in viral and bacterial infectious agents and their role in chronic diseases such as IBD, Crohn’s disease, and cancer as well as the study of non-infectious microbes

Neurological disorders and treatment

Environmental impact on disease phenotypes in vulnerable populations

Behavioral analyses of both prokaryotes and eukaryotes PRESENTATIONS

Garcia, C., Ufomadu, E., Phan, A., Hoballah,Y., Agudelo, P., Powell, J., Benitez, M., Rosell, R.C., and Larios-Sanz, M. Metagenomics allows for the characterization of viral communities carried by mosquitos in the greater Houston area. Poster presented at: UST BEARS Symposium; 2016 April; Houston, Texas

Phan, A., Hoballah,Y., Agudelo, P., Powell, J., Benitez, M., Rosell, R.C., and Larios-Sanz, M. Initiating Metagenomic Characterization of Viruses carried by Mosquitos in the Greater Houston Area. Poster presented at: UST BEARS Symposium; 2017 Oct; Houston, Texas Phan, A., Hoballah,Y., Agudelo, P., Quiroz, M., Hasan, A., Silva, S., Alshaarbaf, A., Rosell, R.C., and Larios-Sanz, M. Metagenomic characterization of viruses carried by mosquitos in the greater Houston area. Poster presented at: UST Spring Research Symposium; 2017 April; Houston, Texas

Hoballah,Y., Phan, A., Agudelo, P., Quiroz, M., Hasan, A., Silva, S., Alshaarbaf, A., Rosell, R.C., and Larios-Sanz, M. Metagenomic characterization of viruses carried by mosquitos in the greater Houston area. Poster presented at: UST BEARS Symposium; 2018 Oct; Houston, Texas

Hoballah,Y. and Phan, A. Metagenomics and its implications for compiling viral sequence libraries. Oral presentation at: UST Spring Research Symposium; 2018 April; Houston, Texas Hoballah,Y., Phan, A., Agudelo, P., Quiroz, M., Hasan, A., Silva, S., Alshaarbaf, A., Irfan, A., Rosell, R.C., and Larios-Sanz, M. Metagenomic characterization of viruses carried by mosquitos in the greater Houston area. Poster presented at: 2nd Annual Texas Medical Center Antimicrobial Resistance and Stewardship Conference; 2019 Jan 23-25; Houston, Texas CURRICULUM VITAE YASMINE M. HOBALLAH, B.S BIOLOGY

*Bhalla, S., *Chen, J., *Hernandez, A., *Hoballah, Y., *Malone, L., *Markose, K.,

*Shamoon, U. Exploring the notion of “The Culture of Death” within the present. Oral presentation at: UST Spring Research Symposium; 2018 April; Houston, Texas

*These presenters contributed equally and are listed in alphabetical order VOLUNTEERING AND SHADOWING

Volunteer services were completed at Methodist Hospital from 2012 to 2013 and 2016 to 2018. Lab personnel and health care professionals were shadowed at both West Houston Hospital and West Houston Methodist Hospital from 2013 to 2014. REFERENCES

Dr. Awdhesh Kalia, Associate Professor and Associate Graduate Program Director, Diagnostic Genetics, Department of School of Health Professions, Division of Academic Affairs, Sr VP Office, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX. Contact: ******@**********.*** 713-***-****

Dr. Xiaojun Liu, SHP Education Coordinator, School of Health Professions, Division of Academic Affairs, Sr VP Office, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX. Contact: *******@**********.*** 713-***-**** (School of Health Professions)

Dr. Peter Hu, Professor, Dean Ad Interim, Director; Molecular Genetic Technology Program, Director; Graduate Program in Diagnostic Genetics Department of School of Health Professions, Division of Academic Affairs, Director; Graduate Program in Diagnostic Genetics Department of School of Health Professions, Division of Academic Affairs, Sr VP Office, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX. Contact: ****@**********.*** 713-***-**** (School of Health Professions) Dr. John A. Palasota, Department of Chemistry and Physics Chair, University of St. Thomas. Contact: ********@******.*** 713-***-****

Dr. Maia Larios-Sanz, Associate Professor of Biology, Associate Dean of School of Arts and Sciences, University of St. Thomas. Contact: *******@******.*** 713-***-**** Dr. Rosie Rosell, Department of Biology Chair, University of St. Thomas. Contact: *******@******.*** 713-***-****

Dr. Michelle Steiger, Department of Biochemistry Chair, University of St. Thomas. Contact: ********@******.*** 713-***-****

CURRICULUM VITAE YASMINE M. HOBALLAH, B.S BIOLOGY

Dr. Terry Hall, Associate Professor Director of Honors Program, University of St. Thomas. Contact: *****@******.*** 713-***-****

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