Mental Health Clinical Research

EDUCATION

Chinese Social University (current name: Beijing Professional Business Institute)

Sept. 1989 – July 1993

Bachelor of Science, Food Nutrition

SKILLS AND EXPERTISE

Biologist and lab manager for Behavioral Endocrinology Branch at the National Institute of Mental Health where I am responsible for the processing of human samples for clinical research, including cell cultures, DNA & RNA purification, Immunoblot, and ELISA. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

July 2004 to Present

National Institute of Mental Health, Behavioral Endocrinology Branch, Bethesda, MD

Research assistant (Biologist), Contractor with Kelly Government Solutions

Perform biomedical laboratory experiments and support work in scientific areas associated with mental health disorders.

Perform various techniques to identify the occurrence and characterize the neurobiology of reproductive endocrine-related mood disorders.

Search relevant literature to identify the most applicable procedures and methods to conduct experiments and collect data; Use standard technology to make adaptations to procedures and accepted practices as appropriate during the studies.

Oversee and manage data collection, blood and other biological specimen collection procedures; Ensure that incoming specimens are processed and stored maintaining "chain of custody."

Analyze data, discuss results and prepare reports on scientific investigations, studies and projects. Compare results with those obtained in previous experiments and/or identifies unusual or unexpected results and their probable causes.

Apply knowledge of the technical rules and procedures applying to scientific projects and programs to document and prepare analyses and reports of findings for tests and studies.

Responsible for carrying out guidelines and regulations related to proper handling, storage and shipping of various biological materials.

Record study results in accordance with established procedures and maintains complete, detailed records of all experiments performed. Interprets data for publication in scientific journals or other formats.

Prepare results for publication and collaborate with staff on the preparation of manuscripts, abstracts, and posters. Prepare and deliver written and oral reports to a variety of individuals and groups in both informal and formal settings.

Provide training to new lab fellows in the use of laboratory equipment and proper laboratory procedures; monitor field work as necessary.

Acquire and organize materials and information to carry out study procedures for assigned projects, upgrading current capabilities where appropriate.

Maintain stock and ordering of laboratory supplies including freezers and centrifuges; Manage stock and ordering of laboratory consumables.

Calibrate and operate laboratory instruments that are necessary to independently perform tests, analyses and other procedures in conducting experiments and studies. Performs experiments in accordance with approved methods and procedures.

Attend relevant meetings and seminars.

January --- June 2004

Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD

Volunteer Researcher, Dept. of Pharmacology & Molecular Therapeutics

Cultured CaSki cells (a line of transformed human cervical epithelial cells) and treated with EGF/epinephrine to study the mechanisms of EGF and epinephrine antiapoptotic effects.

Cultured human cervical epithelial cancer HeLa, SiHa, and HT3 cells and utilized three normal human uterine cervical tissues and three tissues designated as squamous cell carcinomas of the cervix to study a novel P2X7 variant with apoptosis-inhibitory actions.

Learned molecular biology techniques such as real-time PCR and Transfections; Completed flow cytometry and apoptosis assays; Western blot densitometry and confocal microscopy imaging analysis.

April—December 2003

Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD

Special Volunteer at the lab of Molecular Pathophysiology. Dept. of Psychiatry.

August 1993---July 1997

Wei-Chuan Foods Corporation, Beijing, China

Assistant manager of North Division.

PUBLICATION

Huo L, Straub RE, Roca C, Schmidt PJ, Shi K, Vakkalanka R, Weinberger DR, Rubinow DR. Risk for premenstrual dysphoric disorder is associated with genetic variation in ESR1, the estrogen receptor alpha gene. Biol Psychiatry. 2007;62(8):925-33.

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