GERALD D. GRIFFIN

Department of Microbiology **4 Mederia Circle

University of Pennsylvania Newark, DE 19702

**** ******** **** 334-***-**** (Mobile)

302C Johnson Pavilion sidn1i@r.postjobfree.com

EDUCATION:

Ph.D., Neuroscience (04/2009)

University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine

Department of Neuroscience

Dissertation title: Ovarian hormones remodel the lattice of dendrites and oxytocinergic innervation of the female rat hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus.

A.B., Biology, neurobiology and behavior concentration (05/2003)

Cornell University, College of Arts and Sciences

Phi Sigma Pi Honor Fraternity (inducted 05/2002)

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE:

University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine

Postdoctoral Researcher (05/2009-present)

Principal Investigator: Nigel W. Fraser, Ph.D.

Testing hypothesis that inoculation with Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1) modulates neuronal gene expression patters in the trigeminal ganglia of mice using quantitative PCR (qtPCR). Extracting and isolating RNA and DNA for real time PCR and qtPCR. Quantifying levels of protein using Western blot analysis. Transfecting eukaryotic cells to develop a novel viral vector based on HSV-1 to treat neurological effects of lysosomal storage disease mucopolysacchardosis type VII. Analyzing transfection efficiency using immunofluorescent microscopy. Using plaque assay to determine titers of virus. Producing novel plasmid using DNA restriction enzymes and blunt-end ligation. Analyzing plasmid DNA using gel electrophoresis after digestion. Purifying and viruses and vectors to micro-infuse them into mice using stereotaxic surgery. Coordinating collaboration to utilize visual discrimination, odor discrimination, open field maze, and repeated acquisition and performance chamber assays to determine effects of microinjections of different virus strains and vectors into central nervous system.

University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine

Doctoral Student (05/2004-04/2009)

Ph.D. Dissertation Advisor: Loretta M. Flanagan-Cato, Ph.D.

Combined immuno-electron microscopy and confocal immunofluorescence microscopy to determine the subcellular localization of oxytocin in the fiber plexus lateral to the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMH) in female rats. Demonstrated that ovarian hormones estradiol and progesterone regulate the neuronal structure of the VMH and associated fiber plexus. Revealed that stimulation of the oxytocin receptor prompts the transactivation of epidermal growth factor receptor in vitro employing Western blotting. Performed statistical analyses using GraphPad PRISM after entering data using Microsoft Excel. Prepared numerous documents, publications, conference posters, and presentations using Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Adobe Photoshop. Managed two major research project collaborations. Trained and mentored several undergraduate students.

University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine

Graduate Rotation Student (06/2003-05/2004)

Rotation Research Advisor: Loretta M. Flanagan-Cato, Ph.D.

Tested hypothesis that female rat sexual behavior alters dendrite morphology in the VMH. Employed biolistic delivery of coated tungsten particles to rapidly label neurons.

Rotation Research Advisor: Peter Crino, M.D., Ph.D.

Analyzed the mRNA profile of cortical neurons in a Nestin knock-out model of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex using single cell anti-sense RNA (aRNA) amplification.

Rotation Research Advisor: Marcos G. Frank, Ph.D.

Performed single-unit recording and optical imaging to determine if cortical activity during sleep is required for ocular dominance plasticity in the cat visual cortex.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE:

University of Pennsylvania

Head Teaching Assistant (09/2007-12/2007)

Course: Introduction to Brain and Behavior

Professor: Loretta M. Flanagan-Cato, Ph.D.

Supervised eight Teaching Assistants (TAs). Organized and led first TA training session for course. Planned and facilitated monthly TA meetings. Streamlined exam-grading process, leading to quicker turn-around time for students. Directed all exam writing and organization. Made recommendations with the Environmental Health and Radiation Safety staff that led to a safer learning and laboratory conditions for future students and TAs.

University of Pennsylvania

Teaching Assistant (09/2006-12/2006)

Course: Introduction to Brain and Behavior

Professor: Steve Fluharty, Ph.D.

Prepared and facilitated weekly recitation and laboratories for over twenty students.

AWARDS & FELLOWSHIPS:

Research Supplement to Promote Diversity Appointee (07/2009-Present)

Advancing Biomedical Research Workforce Diversity Workshop

Selected Attendee (03/2010)

Endocrine Society Travel Award (06/2009)

Fontaine Fellow (06/2003-04/2009)

Behavioral Neuroscience Training Grant Appointee (06/2005-09/2008)

Society for Neuroscience Neuroscience Scholar (09/2004-09/2007)

Systems and Integrative Biology Training Grant Appointee (06/2003-06/2005)

National Dean’s List (08/2003)

Sigma Pi Phi Scholarship (awarded 08/1999-05/2003)

Alpha Phi Alpha Memorial Scholarship (awarded 01/2000-01/2002)

PUBLICATIONS:

Griffin GD, Ferri-Kolwicz S, Reyes BAS, Van Bockstaele EJ, Flanagan-Cato LM. Ovarian hormone-induced reorganization of oxytocin-labeled dendrites and synapses lateral to the hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus in female rats. J. Comp. Neurol. Accepted 6/15/2010.

Griffin GD, Flanagan-Cato LM. Sex differences in the dendritic arbor of hypothalamic

ventromedial nucleus neurons. Physiol Behav. 97:151-6. 2009.

Griffin GD, Flanagan-Cato LM. Estradiol and progesterone differentially regulate the dendritic arbor of neurons in the hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus of the female rat (Rattus norvegicus). J. Comp. Neurol. 510:631-40. 2008.

Flanagan-Cato LM, Calizo LH, Griffin GD, Lee BJ, Whisner SY. Sexual behaviour induced the expression of activity-regulated cytoskeletal protein (ARC) and modifies neuronal morphology in the female rat ventromedial hypothalamus. J. Neuroendocrinology. 18:857-64. 2006.

Jha SK, Jones BE, Coleman T, Steinmetz N, Law C-T, Griffin G, Hawk J, Dabbish N, Kalatsky V, Frank MG. Sleep-dependent plasticity requires cortical activity. J. Neurosci. 25: 9266-74. 2005.

SELECTED ABSTRACTS:

Griffin GD, Fraser NW. Latent infection of Herpes Simplex Virus-1 (HSV-1) increases the expression of the neuronal peptide pro-opiomelanocortin in a time-dependent manner. International Herpes Workshop Abstracts 2010.

Griffin GD, Reyes BAS, Ferri-Kolwicz S, Van Bockstaele EJ, Flanagan- Cato LM. Estradiol and progesterone remodel the fiber plexus lateral to the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMH) in the female rat. Society For Neuroscience Abstracts 2009. Society for Neuroscience.

Griffin GD, Reyes BAS, Van Bockstaele E, Flanagan-Cato LM. Ultrastructural localization of oxytocin in the lateral shell of the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMH). ENDO Abstracts 91 2009. Selected for oral presentation.

Griffin GD, Yee DK, Flanagan-Cato LM. Oxytocin activates p44/p42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in vitro and in female and male Sprague-Dawley rats. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts 2008. Society for Neuroscience.

Griffin GD, Flanagan-Cato LM: Estradiol reduces oxytocinergic immunoreactivity in fibers lateral to the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMH). SBN Abstracts 11. Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology 11th Annual Meeting. Asilomar, CA. June 21-24, 2007.

Griffin GD, Weinreb EB, Flanagan-Cato LM. Effects of estrogen and progesterone on neuronal morphology in the ventrolateral portion of the ventromedial hypothalamus (vlVMH) in female rats. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts 2005. Society for Neuroscience.

Flanagan-Cato LM, Griffin GD, Whisner SY, Calizo LH. Sexual experience alters neuronal morphology in the female rat hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus (VMH). Society for Neuroscience Abstracts 2005. Society for Neuroscience.

Jones BE, Law J, Griffin G, Coleman T, Jha S, Frank MG. Sleep dependent plasticity requires cortical activity. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts 2004. Society for Neuroscience.

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