Quality Assurance Control

PATRICIA G. SANTOS

New York, NY ***** 646-***-**** ******************@*****.***

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

Dynamic, result driven bi-lingual research professional with over three years of laboratory experience and a propensity for learning. Proven wet lab abilities and skills ready to apply to any cross-functional projects and/or studies.

SKILLS and ADVANCED LABORATORY TECHNIQUES

Mentor and provide best practices with more junior members of the research team

Responsible for quality control and quality assurance of tissues and harmonization of deidentified metadata

Collect and enter data into databases and electronic forms

Expert in Confocal Imaging and Immunofluorescent (IF)/4i on FFPE and fresh frozen tissues, human and mouse

Advanced in cryosectioning of human and mouse tissues and molecular biology experimental workflows

Proficient in Spatial Transcriptomics annotations through LOUPE

EXPERIENCE

January 2024 – Present

Research Worker – Columbia University Medical Center (CUIMC) & New York Genome Center (NYGC) Center for Genomics of Neurodegenerative Disease Phatnani Laboratory, New York, NY

Wet Lab:

Perform genotyping and analyze genetic markers in ALS mouse models

Provide husbandry and maintain a complicated schema for a mouse colony breeding program

Handle DNA and RNA extraction and purification process

Section for in situ hybridization, and antibody staining of tissues for biomarkers in Senescence

Expert at perfusion, dissection and extraction of varying anatomical structures, cortical regions, spinal cord, colon, spleen.

Cryosection the extracted tissue and prepare for experimental use (imaging and downstream assays)

Ensure newly hired research technicians and students are trained in basic lab techniques and have completed the appropriate trainings

Assist associate research scientists, and grad students with planning and data collection

Administrative:

Oversee pCard and CU marketplace purchasing and reconciliation

Manage the ordering platform Quartzy

Maintain and update all necessary animal research approvals (IACUC) and trainings

Support the in maintenance, programming, and management of data collection equipment

Develop curriculum and onboarding materials for new intern training programs, as well as, hires.

August 2022 – January 2024

Technician B – Columbia University Medical Center (CUIMC) & New York Genome Center (NYGC) Center for Genomics of Neurodegenerative Disease Phatnani Laboratory, New York, NY

Maintained Animal Husbandry and Mouse Colony Maintenance:

Handled ALS mouse models (toeing, Genotyping, Breeding, Injections (IP, Bulbus, OP, etc.), animal anesthetization, tissue harvesting)

Lab Maintenance and Support:

Ensured smooth operation of the lab by setting up, maintaining, and sterilizing equipment and supplies

Ensured the proper disposal of hazardous materials

Data Collection and Analysis:

Recorded experimental data in designated logs and maintained a comprehensive laboratory notebook for documentation and reporting of findings.

Conducted and executed experiments following established protocols and procedures.

Collaborated with others to troubleshoot and optimize new protocols. Worked on several grants and optimization protocols.

Financial Management:

Oversaw lab purchasing and expense reconciliation. Manage financial responsibilities including handling the lab’s p-card, approving orders, and ensuring timely payment.

Ordered supplies

Training and Mentorship:

Trained new hires, interns, and students in preexisting protocols and mouse work.

EDUCATION

August 2023 – February 2025

Columbia University Institute of Human Nutrition

M.S. Human Nutrition New York, NY

Dissertation Title: The Influence of Transforming Growth Factor Beta Signaling on Lipid Profiles and Motor Neuron Degeneration in an Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Mouse Model.

Mentor: Hemali Phatnani, Ph.D.

August 2018 – May 2022

Dickinson College

B.S. Neuroscience and Italian Studies Carlisle, Pennsylvania

Dissertation Title (Italian Studies): English Title: From Witches to Modern Day Practitioners. The Genderization of Traditional Medicine in The Bolognesse Area during the Inquisition and Today.

Italian Title: “Dalle streghe ai moderni praticanti. La genderizzazione della medicina tradizionale nell’area Bolognese durante l’inquisizione e oggi”

Mentor: Nicolette Marini-Maio, Ph.D.

AWARDS and ACCOMPLISHMENTS

July 2025 – Honors Thesis: “The Influence of Transforming Growth Factor Beta Signaling on Lipid Profiles and Motor Neuron Degeneration in an Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Mouse Model.”

May 2022 – Honors Thesis: From Witches to Modern Day Practitioners. The Genderization of Traditional Medicine in The Bolognesse Area during the Inquisition and Today

o“Dalle streghe ai moderni praticanti. La genderizzazione della medicina tradizionale nell’area Bolognese durante l’inquisizione e oggi”

LANGUAGES

English: Fluent

Spanish: Proficient to Fluent

Italian: Proficient

LEADERSHIP AND VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

October 2024 – Present

Teaching Fellow – Columbia University Medical Center (CUIMC) ACComplished Program, New York, NY

Facilitate hybrid educational sessions on healthcare topics for high school students

Mentor students in preparing capstone projects, enhancing their understanding of medical and public health careers

Collaborate with physicians, researchers, and other educators to design and implement engaging program content (curriculum planning)

September 2024 – Present

Volunteer-Translator – Columbia University Medical Center (CUIMC) Food Anatomy, New York, NY

Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team to educate adult NYCHA residents about nutrition and anatomy, providing translations and explanations in Spanish to ensure accessible and clear communication.

September 2023 – January 2024

Analyst – Columbia University Medical Center (CUIMC) Consulting Pitch and Competition - Startup, New York, NY

Collaborated with a team to develop slide decks for consulting pitches across various sectors, including but not limited to healthcare, nutrition, and emergency department hospital admission challenges.

Created solutions for different areas of greatest needs for companies.

January 2021– May 2021

Student Teacher (Internship) – Liceo Laura Bassi Remote, Bologna, Italy

Designed and taught economics to high school students in Italian.

Created lesson plans and scheduled meetings.

August 2020– August 2021

Treasurer, Executive Board – Dickinson College Women of Color Summit, Carlisle, PA

Oversaw organization’s budget, investments, and fundraising efforts.

Organized a 300+ participant virtual summit.

Facilitated efforts for hiring including offboarding and onboarding.

August 2019– August 2020

Laision – Dickinson College Women of Color Summit, Carlisle, PA

Managed operations by sending emails and creating proposals to expand funding efforts.

Designed and facilitated events and workshops to foster community engagement

Administered the companies email and sent invitations and updates to the general public regarding upcoming events.

Designed posters and daily newsletters that would be facilitated to the college community and alumni.

November 2019-March 2020

Volunteer (President)– Claremont Nursing Home Senior Companions, Carlisle, PA

Adept at handling difficult or hostile hospice patients, as well as patient concerns across a wide variety of age groups and medical needs. Including those with trouble communicating.

September 2019-March 2020

Volunteer – Cumberland County Prison Tutoring Inmates GED Program, Carlisle, PA

-Taught Math, English, Science, and Social Studies to incarcerate adult learners.

PUBLICATIONS AND CURRENT PROJECTS

Translation of Prudenza by Pirandello into English – Literary Translation May 2022

-Published as part of undergraduate work. Translated from Italian to English.

Projects currently aiding in:

Braine, C. Transforming Growth Factor Beta Signaling in Motor Neurons in a Mouse Model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Manuscript not submitted 2022)

Sloan, N. Uncovering signatures of senescence in human dlpfc (Manuscript submitted for publication in Cell Genomics)

Petrescu, J. Spatially resolved molecular dysfunction in the prefrontal cortex of patients with ALS. (Manuscript not submitted 2022)

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