Los Angeles Molecular Biology

MELODY (PEIPEI) HUANG

832-***-**** **************@*****.*** Los Angeles https://www.linkedin.com/in/melody-huang144/ PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Highly motivated and analytically driven researcher with a strong foundation in chemistry, biochemistry, and molecular biology. Expertise in advanced techniques such as PCR, Western blot, Immunohistochemistry, protein extraction and purification. Skilled in product synthesis and process optimization, with a strong focus on delivering precise and impactful research outcomes. Highly proficient in analytical techniques

(HPLC, LC-MS, GC-MS, NMR, UV-Vis), consistently driving research advancements. Known for exceptional problem-solving, communication, time management, and process improvements in biochemical research and therapeutic development. EDUCATION

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA Expected June 2025 Master of Science in Applied Chemical Science

• Research advisor: Gabriel Travis

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA June 2023 Bachelor Degree of Science in Chemistry

• Research advisor: Gabriel Travis

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Travis Lab at Jules Stein Eye Institution, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA July 2022 – Present Student Researcher at a research lab focusing on biochemistry of photoreceptors and retinal degeneration mechanism.

• Characterization of Retina Protein Loss-of-Function Mutations in a Human Inherited Retinal Dystrophy Using Zebrafish Models o Led a comprehensive protein analysis utilizing HPLC, enhanced understanding of function role mutated proteins in Stargardt Disease (rare inherited retinal degeneration and vision loss disease) using zebrafish model, which can inform future therapeutic developments.

o Tested commercial and customized antibody using western blot and immunohistochemistry to detect the expression and location of proteins on the zebrafish retina tissue.

o Achieved bred and maintained husbandry of mutant zebrafish lines, ensuring animal’s optimal health and accurate phenotypic expression for research studies.

o Performed histology on zebrafish eye block to examine photoreceptor degeneration phenotype in the absent of protein of interest. o Genotyped zebrafish to identify DNA sequences and distinguish knockout from wildtype genes for research.

• Synthesized and purified standard retinoids stocks using HPLC for various research projects as reference purposes.

• Performed enzyme assays in different conditions and evaluated enzymatic activity to study biochemical mechanism.

• Studied alternate metabolism pathways for regeneration of visual chromophore using zebrafish in cone photoreceptors.

• Mentored new and volunteering lab members including undergraduate students and staff research associates with various biochemistry and molecular biology laboratory techniques.

• Calibrated, maintained, and troubleshooted lab instrumentations, including HPLC, Confocal Imaging Microscope, PCR Cycler, UV- Vis Spectrophotometer.

PUBLICATION

• Joanna J. Kaylor, Rikard Frederiksen, Christina K. Bedrosian, Melody Huang, David Stennis-Weatherspoon, Theodore Huynh, Tiffany Ngan, Varsha Mulamreddy, Alapakkam P. Sampath, Gordon L. Fain, and Gabriel H. Travis. “RDH12 allows cone photoreceptors to regenerate opsin visual pigments from a chromophore precursor to escape competition with rods” Current Biology, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2024.06.031

SKILLS

• Biochemistry: Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), qRT-PCR, Genotyping, Protein chemistry, Western Blot, Immunohistochemistry

(IHC), Enzyme Assays, Enzyme kinetics, Gel Electrophoresis, Affinity chromatography, RNA extraction and purification, assay development.

• Molecular biology: Histology, Confocal Fluorescence Microscopy, Optimal Cutting Temperature (OCT), Cryosectioning, Cell culture Growth, Plasmid transfection, Protein expression, Protein purification, BCA protein concentration determination, animal husbandry.

• Analytical chemistry: HPLC, LC, GC, LC-MS, GC-MS, ICP-MS, DART-MS, MALDI-MS, UV-vis Spectroscopy.

• Organic chemistry: Column chromatography, IR, NMR, TLC, extraction, compound purification.

• Soft skills: Detail-oriented, building relationships process improvement and optimization, problem-solving, and communication.

• Software Knowledge: Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, and Excel), MATLAB, Python (Basic). AWARD AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Scholarship: Morning Light Foundation 2024 Scholarship recipient. (June 2024).

• Fellowship: MACS Excellent Fellowship (2023-2024, 2024-2025).

• Academic Excellence: PCC Honors Program, Dean's list (Fall 2019-Spring 2021).

• Scholarship: William Miller Scholarship for Chemistry recipient (Spring 2021).

• Awards: PCC Student Success Completion Grant (Fall 2020-Spring 2021), President's Education Awards Programs (June 2019).

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