Graduate Research Assistant
Resume:
Aysheh ALRFOOH
Graduate Research Assistant PhD Candidate
linkedin.com/in/aysheh-alrfooh aysheh.alrfou.com adhscq@r.postjobfree.com adhscq@r.postjobfree.com
+1-650-***-**** 751 W. Benton St., Apt 14, Iowa City, 52246, IA
EDUCATION
2017-Present PhD in Clinical Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, GPA: 3.73/4.0. 2010-2015 Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan. Graduated with Excellence: GPA 3.73/4.0.
SKILLS
Molecular
Biology
Agarose Gel Electrophoresis Polymerase Chain Reaction Centrifugation techniques DNA Isolation Assays DNA Extractions RNA Extractions Real Time PCR DNA Sequencing Bisulfite Treatment Primer Designing Primer Validation and Optimization. Primer Designing for Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Assay Methylation Sequencing Genotyping Primer Designing for Bisulfite Converted DNA Immunohistochemistry (IHC) Staining Cell Culture Flow Cytometry Assays Immunophenotyping Cytometry iPSC Culturing Programming
Language
Python R Bioconductor SAS R studio Linux Data Analysis Data Visualization Data Wrangling Big Data Analytics Linear Regression Modeling
Longitudinal Data Analysis DNA Methylation Data Analysis DNA Methylation QTL Analysis
Expression quantitative trait loci Analysis
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Present PhD Candidate j Dr. Gaine’s Lab, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics Department, COLLEGE OF PHARMACY, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa State June 2020 Supervisor: Dr. Marie E. Gaine
Study-1 aim: Developing a DNA methylation-based bio-marker for bipolar disorder subjects with suicidal behavior.
Study-2 aim: Identifying and detecting the changes in DNA methylation that are associated with schizophrenia in case-parent trio study.
Conducted targeted bisulfite sequencing to identify DNA methylation patterns and genetic vari- ations in regions with known suicide-related variation in blood samples from bipolar disorder subjects with and without suicidal behavior, and non-psychiatric controls.
Perform data analysis for DNA-methylation array data using R and Bioconductor software packages for schizophrenic subjects and their non-symptomatic parents. Bipolar disorder Suicidal Behavior Schizophrenia Bioconductor Genetics Epigenetics EPIC Data Analysis Sep 2019 PhD Student j Dr. Ryan Smith’s Lab, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics Department, COLLEGE OF PHARMACY, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa State Jan 2018 Supervisor: Dr. Ryan Smith
Study-1 aim: Identifying the epigenetic signature of HTR2A gene in context of cocaine addiction.
Study-2 aim: Developing and establishing iPSC-derived cortical forebrain neurons as a model system for translating genetic risk loci of schizophrenia into potential therapeutic purposes.
Conducted epigenetic profiling studies, including Methyl-Seq and allele-specific methylation.
Designed primers for genotyping and epigenetic profiling purpose using PrimerSelect program.
Conducted targeted-bisulfite sequencing for postmortem tissue from cocaine addicted subjects and their matched controls using Ion S5 system (next-generation sequencing system).
Expanded inducing schizophrenic subjects-derived pluripotent stem cells(iPSCs) culture and per- formed quality control on iPSC.
Reprogrammed iPSCs to neural progenitor cells (NPCs).
Performed data analysis, data extraction, coding, storing, preparation of charts of DNA methylation data using R.
Genetics Epigenetics Targeted Bisulfite Sequencing Allele-specific methylation R Big Data Analysis AYSHEH ALRFOOH - CV 1
May 2015 Research Assistant j Diabetic PodiatryOutpatient Clinic, Diabetic Outpatient Clinic, JORDAN UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, Amman, Jordan
Mar 2014 Supervisor: Dr. Mervat Alsous
Study Aims: Assessment of depression among diabetic patients with associated foot disorders.
Collected data from over 100 patients in a survey regarding depression in diabetic patients.
Collected data from over 150 patients in a self reported questionnaire (BMQ) in diabetic patients.
Retrieved patients’ files from the Archives’ Office. SurveyDataCollection Records Management
Aug 2015 Researcher j Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation, KING HUSSEIN CANCER CENTER, Amman, Jordan
Sep 2014 Supervisor: Dr. Ayad Hussein
Study Aims: Assessment of the clinical effects of total parental nutrition (TPN) on the outcome of pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).
Conducted a literature review on the use of TPN and its relationship with complications for HSCT patients throughout their hospital stays.
Developed two data collection forms based on specific patient populations: (1) allogenic HSCT patients and (2) autologous HSCT patients.
Retrospective Study Records Management
June 2014 Researcher j Department of Biopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy, UNIVERSITY OF JORDAN, Amman, Jordan
Feb 2014 Supervisor: Prof. Al-Motassem Fahmi
Study Aims: Assessment of the association between the genetic polymorphisms, 6-bp ins/del in 3’UTR and 28-bp tandem repeats in 5’UTR, of TS in response to flouropyrimidine-based chemother- apy in colorectal cancer patients.
Conducted DNA extractions from blood samples of 300 colorectal cancer patients.
Performed DNA purification, gel electrophoresis, PCR (polymerase chain reaction), and RFLP (restric- tion fragment length polymorphism) on extracted DNA. DNA purification Gel Electrophoresis PCR
HONORS AND AWARDS
1. University of Iowa, Graduate College Post-Comprehensive Research Fellowship: Funding for fall 2020 2. The Ministry of Higher Education-Jordan, Full Tuition Scholarship: 5 years of educational funding from 2010-2015
COURSES
Clinical Drug Disposition and Pharmacokinetics Advanced Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics Principles of Experimental Therapeutics Applied Clinical and Translational Science Biological Principles Molecular and Cellular Biology Fundamental Genetics Genomics The Addicted Brain (Coursera) Statistical Introduction to Biostatistics (R) Regression and ANOVA in Health Sciences (R) Basic Statistical Methods and Genetics Apps.
Research Data Management (SAS) Introductory Longitudinal Data Analysis (SAS) Basic Statistical Methods and Genetics Apps. Statistics for Genomic Data Science (Coursera) Programming Getting Started with Python (Coursera) Python Data Structures (Coursera) Learning Python (LinkedIn). Python Quick Start (LinkedIn). Python Essential Training (LinkedIn). Essential Math for Machine Learning: Python Edition (LinkedIn). R Essential Training: Wrangling and Visualizing Data (LinkedIn). Personal
Development
Improving Communication Skills (Coursera) Work Smarter, Not Harder: Time Management for Personal and Professional Productivity (Coursera) Writing Skills for Graduate Students.
PRESENTATIONS AND POSTERS
1. A.Alrfooh, RM Smith. “Genetic and Epigenetic Target Validation for the Serotonin 2A Receptor for Treating Stimulant Abuse.” Presentation, the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Iowa, Iowa, October 30, 2019.
2. A.Alrfooh, RM Smith. “Epigenetic Signature of the Serotonin 2A Receptor Gene (HTR2A) in Cocaine Abusers.” Poster, the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) conference, San Antonio, Texas, November 04, 2019. 3. A.Alrfooh, ME Gaine. “Discovering DNA-Methylation-based Biomarker for Bipolar Disorder Patients with Suicidal Behavior.” Presentation, the Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences Research retreat, University of Iowa, Iowa, August 21, 2020.
AYSHEH ALRFOOH - CV 2
PUBLICATIONS
A.Alrfooh, RM Smith. Genetic and Epigenetic Target Validation for the Serotonin 2A Receptor for Treating Stimulant Abuse
(under preparation)
TEACHING AND MENTORING
Fall semester Lead Teaching Assistant j Foundations of Pharmaceutical Sciences Courses I, II, COLLEGE OF PHARMACY, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa State 2018 Scheduled and managed lecture coverage, exam pre-testing, proctoring, and any necessary class- room support.
Assisted faculty with final grade calculations at the end of the semester.
Managed and track assessment grading progress and TA grading accuracy.
Compiled, uploaded, and released assessment grades to students.
Coordinated assessment preparation, editing, and ExamSoft grading.
Met with students as needed to address concerns. Project Management leadership
REFERENCES
Dr. Marie E. Gaine, Assistant Professor
UNIVERSITY OF IOWA, COLLEGE OF PHARMACY, IOWA CITY, IOWA
adhscq@r.postjobfree.com
Dr. Ryan M. Smith, Principal Research Scientist
ELI LILLY AND COMPANY, INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA
adhscq@r.postjobfree.com
AYSHEH ALRFOOH - CV 3
Contact this candidate