Education
2016: PhD, Molecular and Cellular Biology
Dept. of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center
Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
2007: BS, Biochemistry and Cell Biology
Rice University, Houston, TX
Dept. of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center
Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
2007: BS, Biochemistry and Cell Biology
Rice University, Houston, TX
Research Experience
8/2016- 9/2022:
My postdoctoral work was in the lab of Jayanta Debnath, MD at the Helen Diller Comprehensive Cancer Center at UCSF (University of California, San Francisco) investigating the role of autophagy in the tumor microenvironment and solid tumor progression using in vivo and in vitro methods.
One of my projects was investigating autophagy function in collagen secretion by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in breast cancer (see: recent Genes and Development publication). I also published a mini-review on autophagy in cancer associated inflammation (in Autophagy), contributed to a publication on the role of the autophagy with respect to extracellular vesicle production, and guest edited a special issue of J. Mammary Gland Biology and Neoplasia.
9/2010- 6/2016:
Graduate student in the lab of Michael T. Lewis, PhD at Baylor College of Medicine (Houston, TX). My thesis work defined tissue compartment-specific roles of the hedgehog network gene, Patched 1, in virgin mammary gland development. My findings offered insight into previously conflicting data in the field, identified a role for hedgehog signaling in mammary fibroblasts, and shed light on potential factors regulating pre-malignant breast lesions. My dissertation is entitled Epithelial, Stromal, and Systemic Functions of Patched 1 in Mammary Gland Development.
I also established a collaboration with Yi Athena Ren, PhD and JoAnne Richards, PhD at Baylor College of Medicine elucidating the functions of stromal Patched-1 in fertility, resulting in a publication in JCI Insights.
6/2007-6/2008:
Junior Scientist in the lab of Gary Nelsestuen, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.
I investigated changes in plasma and urine profiles after surgical interventions, such as bariatric surgery; and in different metabolic diseases, including Type II diabetes. I performed mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF), statistical analysis, basic protein assays, and data organization. I also served as lab manager during this time.
6/2006- 6/2007:
Student in the lab of James McNew, Rice University. I studied SNARE proteins that may mediate vesicle fusion in the C. elegans nervous system and wrote a senior honors thesis. I performed liposome reconstitution and fusion assays, protein purification, and cloning.
My postdoctoral work was in the lab of Jayanta Debnath, MD at the Helen Diller Comprehensive Cancer Center at UCSF (University of California, San Francisco) investigating the role of autophagy in the tumor microenvironment and solid tumor progression using in vivo and in vitro methods.
One of my projects was investigating autophagy function in collagen secretion by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in breast cancer (see: recent Genes and Development publication). I also published a mini-review on autophagy in cancer associated inflammation (in Autophagy), contributed to a publication on the role of the autophagy with respect to extracellular vesicle production, and guest edited a special issue of J. Mammary Gland Biology and Neoplasia.
9/2010- 6/2016:
Graduate student in the lab of Michael T. Lewis, PhD at Baylor College of Medicine (Houston, TX). My thesis work defined tissue compartment-specific roles of the hedgehog network gene, Patched 1, in virgin mammary gland development. My findings offered insight into previously conflicting data in the field, identified a role for hedgehog signaling in mammary fibroblasts, and shed light on potential factors regulating pre-malignant breast lesions. My dissertation is entitled Epithelial, Stromal, and Systemic Functions of Patched 1 in Mammary Gland Development.
I also established a collaboration with Yi Athena Ren, PhD and JoAnne Richards, PhD at Baylor College of Medicine elucidating the functions of stromal Patched-1 in fertility, resulting in a publication in JCI Insights.
6/2007-6/2008:
Junior Scientist in the lab of Gary Nelsestuen, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.
I investigated changes in plasma and urine profiles after surgical interventions, such as bariatric surgery; and in different metabolic diseases, including Type II diabetes. I performed mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF), statistical analysis, basic protein assays, and data organization. I also served as lab manager during this time.
6/2006- 6/2007:
Student in the lab of James McNew, Rice University. I studied SNARE proteins that may mediate vesicle fusion in the C. elegans nervous system and wrote a senior honors thesis. I performed liposome reconstitution and fusion assays, protein purification, and cloning.
Publications
1. Rudnick JA*, Monkkonen T*, Mar FA, Barnes JM, Starobinets H, Goldsmith J, Roy S, Bustamente Eguiguren S, Weaver VM, and Debnath J. Autophagy in stromal fibroblasts promotes tumor desmoplasia and mammary tumorigenesis. Genes and Dev. 2021 Link PMID: 34168038 *co-first authors
2. Monkkonen, T; Traustadottir, G; and Koledova, Z. Unraveling the Breast: Advances in Mammary Biology and Cancer Methods. J. of Mammary Gland Biology and Neoplasia. 2021 Link
3. Leidal AM, Huang HH, Marsh T, Solvik T, Zhang D, Ye J, Kai F, Goldsmith J, Liu JY, Huang YS, Monkkonen T, Vlahakis A, Huang EA, Goodarzi H, Yu L, Wiita AP, and Debnath J (2020). The LC3-Conjugation Machinery Specifies the Loading of RNA-binding Proteins into Extracellular Vesicles. Nature Cell Biology Link
4. Ren YA, Monkkonen T, Lewis MT, Bernard DJ, Christian HC, Jorgez CJ, Moore JA, Landua JD, Chin HM, Chen W, Singh S, Kim IS, Zhang XH, MacKay H, Waterland RA, Ljungberg MC, Saha PK, Hartig SM, Fiordelisio Coll T, Richards JS. S100A4-Cre-mediated deletion of Patched1 causes hypogonadotropic hypogonadism: role of pituitary hematopoietic cells in endocrine regulation. JCI Insight (2019). Link PMID: 31265437
5. Monkkonen T, and Debnath J (2017). Inflammatory Signaling Cascades and Autophagy in Cancer. Autophagy. Link PMID: 28813180
6. Monkkonen T, and Lewis MT (2017). New Paradigms for the Hedgehog Signaling Network in Mammary Gland Development and Breast Cancer. BBA Reviews on Cancer 1868: 315-322. Link PMID: 28624497
7. Monkkonen T, Landua JD, Visbal AP, and Lewis MT (2017). Epithelial and Non-Epithelial Patched-1 (Ptch1) Play Opposing Roles to Regulate Proliferation and Morphogenesis of the Mouse Mammary Gland. Development (144):1317-1327. Link PMID: 28275010
8. Zhang Y, Oetting WS, Harvey SB, Stone MD, Monkkonen T, Matas AJ, Cosio FG, Nelsestuen GL (2009). Urinary Peptide Patterns in Native Kidneys and Kidney Allografts. Transplantation 87 (12): 1807-183. Link PMID: 19543057
9. Harvey SB, Zhang Y, Wilson-Grady J, Monkkonen T, Nelsestuen GL, Kasthuri RS, Verneris MR, Lund TC, Ely EW, Bernard GR, Zeisler H, Homoncik M, Jilma B, Swan T, Kellogg TA (2008) O-Glycoside Biomarker of Apolipoprotein C3: Responsiveness to Obesity, Bariatric Surgery, and Therapy with Metformin, to Chronic or Severe Liver Disease and to Mortality in Severe Sepsis and Graft vs Host Disease. J Proteome Res 8 (2):603–612. Link PMID: 19055479
2. Monkkonen, T; Traustadottir, G; and Koledova, Z. Unraveling the Breast: Advances in Mammary Biology and Cancer Methods. J. of Mammary Gland Biology and Neoplasia. 2021 Link
3. Leidal AM, Huang HH, Marsh T, Solvik T, Zhang D, Ye J, Kai F, Goldsmith J, Liu JY, Huang YS, Monkkonen T, Vlahakis A, Huang EA, Goodarzi H, Yu L, Wiita AP, and Debnath J (2020). The LC3-Conjugation Machinery Specifies the Loading of RNA-binding Proteins into Extracellular Vesicles. Nature Cell Biology Link
4. Ren YA, Monkkonen T, Lewis MT, Bernard DJ, Christian HC, Jorgez CJ, Moore JA, Landua JD, Chin HM, Chen W, Singh S, Kim IS, Zhang XH, MacKay H, Waterland RA, Ljungberg MC, Saha PK, Hartig SM, Fiordelisio Coll T, Richards JS. S100A4-Cre-mediated deletion of Patched1 causes hypogonadotropic hypogonadism: role of pituitary hematopoietic cells in endocrine regulation. JCI Insight (2019). Link PMID: 31265437
5. Monkkonen T, and Debnath J (2017). Inflammatory Signaling Cascades and Autophagy in Cancer. Autophagy. Link PMID: 28813180
6. Monkkonen T, and Lewis MT (2017). New Paradigms for the Hedgehog Signaling Network in Mammary Gland Development and Breast Cancer. BBA Reviews on Cancer 1868: 315-322. Link PMID: 28624497
7. Monkkonen T, Landua JD, Visbal AP, and Lewis MT (2017). Epithelial and Non-Epithelial Patched-1 (Ptch1) Play Opposing Roles to Regulate Proliferation and Morphogenesis of the Mouse Mammary Gland. Development (144):1317-1327. Link PMID: 28275010
8. Zhang Y, Oetting WS, Harvey SB, Stone MD, Monkkonen T, Matas AJ, Cosio FG, Nelsestuen GL (2009). Urinary Peptide Patterns in Native Kidneys and Kidney Allografts. Transplantation 87 (12): 1807-183. Link PMID: 19543057
9. Harvey SB, Zhang Y, Wilson-Grady J, Monkkonen T, Nelsestuen GL, Kasthuri RS, Verneris MR, Lund TC, Ely EW, Bernard GR, Zeisler H, Homoncik M, Jilma B, Swan T, Kellogg TA (2008) O-Glycoside Biomarker of Apolipoprotein C3: Responsiveness to Obesity, Bariatric Surgery, and Therapy with Metformin, to Chronic or Severe Liver Disease and to Mortality in Severe Sepsis and Graft vs Host Disease. J Proteome Res 8 (2):603–612. Link PMID: 19055479
Previous Awards and Funding
1/2019-12/2022: American Cancer Society and Jean Perkins Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship Award, PF-18-227-01-CSM
8/2017: T32 NCI Molecular Pathology in Cancer (declined)
9/2017-1/2019: UCSF IRACDA funded scholar (9/2019- current: IRACDA associated scholar)
4/2012: Travel Award, IABCR/ Breakthrough Breast Cancer Conference Travel Award
4/2013: Poster Finalist, MCB Department Symposium
8/2017: T32 NCI Molecular Pathology in Cancer (declined)
9/2017-1/2019: UCSF IRACDA funded scholar (9/2019- current: IRACDA associated scholar)
4/2012: Travel Award, IABCR/ Breakthrough Breast Cancer Conference Travel Award
4/2013: Poster Finalist, MCB Department Symposium
Conferences
Oral Presentations
-Invited Speaker, MCB Colloquium/ BIOL 871 at San Francisco State University, 3/5/2020
-Gordon Research Seminar on Autophagy (invited) (3/2020)
-Gordon Research Seminar on Mammary Gland Biology, Mt. Snow, VT (6/2015)
-MCB Department Symposium, BCM, Houston, TX (9/2014)
-Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center Educational Retreat, La Toretta, TX (9/2012)
Poster Presentations
-Autophagy Symposium Early Career Researcher Meeting Series, 11/2020 (Virtual Meeting)
-FASEB Cell Signaling in Cancer, Virtual Meeting 9/2020
-Gordon Conference on Mammary Gland Biology, Sunday River ME (6/2019)
-Discussion leader at the associated Gordon Research Seminar, Stowe, VT
-IRACDA National Conference, Atlanta GA (6/2018 and 2019)
-North American Vascular Biology Organization (NAVBO), Monterey, CA (10/2017)
-Gordon Conference on Mammary Gland Biology, Mt. Snow, VT (6/2015)
-Gordon Conference on Mammary Gland Biology, Lucca, Italy (6/2014)
-Gordon Conference on Mammary Gland Biology, Stowe, VT (6/2013)
-Discussion leader at the associated Gordon Research Seminar, Stowe, VT
-IABCR Breakthrough Breast Cancer Conference: Epithelial-Stromal Interactions, Manchester, U.K. (4/2012)
-MCB Department Symposium, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (yearly, 2010-2016)
-Graduate Student Symposium, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX (yearly, 2010-2016)
-FASEB Cell Signaling in Cancer, Virtual Meeting 9/2020
-Gordon Conference on Mammary Gland Biology, Sunday River ME (6/2019)
-Discussion leader at the associated Gordon Research Seminar, Stowe, VT
-IRACDA National Conference, Atlanta GA (6/2018 and 2019)
-North American Vascular Biology Organization (NAVBO), Monterey, CA (10/2017)
-Gordon Conference on Mammary Gland Biology, Mt. Snow, VT (6/2015)
-Gordon Conference on Mammary Gland Biology, Lucca, Italy (6/2014)
-Gordon Conference on Mammary Gland Biology, Stowe, VT (6/2013)
-Discussion leader at the associated Gordon Research Seminar, Stowe, VT
-IABCR Breakthrough Breast Cancer Conference: Epithelial-Stromal Interactions, Manchester, U.K. (4/2012)
-MCB Department Symposium, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (yearly, 2010-2016)
-Graduate Student Symposium, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX (yearly, 2010-2016)
Other Abstracts
-Society for the Study of Reproduction, San Diego, July 2016
Title: Conditional depletion of the hedgehog pathway regulator Patched1 by S100a4 promoter-driven Cre recombinase impairs ovarian and pituitary functions and fertility in female mice.
Authors: Teresa Monkkonen, Michael T. Lewis, JoAnne S. Richards, and Yi Athena Ren
Selected for Oral Presentation
-Texas Forum for Reproductive Sciences Conference, Houston, TX April 2016
Title: Conditional depletion of the hedgehog pathway regulator Patched1 by S100a4 promoter-driven Cre recombinase impairs ovarian and pituitary functions and fertility in female mice.
Authors: Teresa Monkkonen, Michael T. Lewis, JoAnne S. Richards, and Yi Athena Ren
Selected for Platform Presentation
Title: Conditional depletion of the hedgehog pathway regulator Patched1 by S100a4 promoter-driven Cre recombinase impairs ovarian and pituitary functions and fertility in female mice.
Authors: Teresa Monkkonen, Michael T. Lewis, JoAnne S. Richards, and Yi Athena Ren
Selected for Oral Presentation
-Texas Forum for Reproductive Sciences Conference, Houston, TX April 2016
Title: Conditional depletion of the hedgehog pathway regulator Patched1 by S100a4 promoter-driven Cre recombinase impairs ovarian and pituitary functions and fertility in female mice.
Authors: Teresa Monkkonen, Michael T. Lewis, JoAnne S. Richards, and Yi Athena Ren
Selected for Platform Presentation
Teaching and Leadership Experience
Instruction at SDSU
Spring 2023: MBIO 600, Advanced Seminars in Cell Biology
Fall 2023: Instructor, BIO 203L Principles of Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory
MBIO 601, Colloquium in Molecular Biology Research
8/2023- current: SDSU Liaison, UCSD Moore's Cancer Center Office of Translational Science
Spring 2023: Judge, oral presentations, SDSU S3 Research Symposium
Fall 2020- current: BUMPP mentor of two undergraduates in biology. We had quarterly meetings to discuss career goals, getting involved in research, etc. BUMMP is a UCSD based organization which promotes the success of historically underrepresented undergraduates in the biological sciences, research, and post Bachelor's education.
Feb 21, 2020: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training, through University of California San Francisco School of Medicine.
July 15-18, 2019: I attended the HHMI Summer Institute on Scientific Teaching workshop to practice evidence-based scientific teaching principles that promote deeper learning and inclusivity, and further develop my teaching to include active learning practices.
Spring 2019: I judged undergraduates and Master's graduate student posters at the San Francisco State University College of Science and Engineering Science Student Showcase.
Fall 2018: I co-instructed BIOL 355 Genetics for majors at San Francisco State University, with the mentorship of Dr. Sally Pasion as part of the UCSF IRACDA program. I generated new course material, incorporated active learning techniques into the classroom, produced my own exam questions and grading rubrics, and held regular office hours.
Fall 2018: I volunteered with City College of San Francisco and the SF BRIDGES program. I gave a seminar for the Biotechnology course at CCSF on my research and career path, and mentored students preparing to apply for graduate school in biological sciences.
7/2018: Attendee, National IRACDA conference, Atlanta, Georgia. This conference includes diverse topics career development and achieving a diverse and equitable research lab and classroom environment. Examples of seminars included mental health in academia, HHMI tools for the classroom, and posing research questions to promote equality, and others.
5/2018: UCSF TRAIN UP (Training Researchers And INterns for Upcoming Professors). I participated in this course focusing on preparing future faculty for hiring, setting expectations, communicating effectively, dealing with different work styles, and creating an effective team.
5/2017: UCSF STEP-UP Course (Science Teaching Effectiveness Program for Upcoming Professors) This was an intensive short course in pedagogy, active learning methods and how to implement them, assessment and rubrics, diversity and inclusivity, and primary literature discussing why different methods work.
5/2017 and 5/2018: 9th Grade Science Fair Judge/Expert, Branson High School, Marin, CA
4-5/2017: Mentor and Science Fair Judge, Wallenberg High School Biotechnology Course. I am advising 4 groups of high school seniors on project proposal design and poster preparation. I also judged other groups' poster presentations at their Capstone Poster Symposium.
3/17-3/19/2016: National Postdoctoral Association Meeting, San Francisco, CA. Volunteer and Attendee.
12/2016- 5/2017: Science education partnership program, UCSF/SFUSD: I am a scientist volunteer partnering with an elementary school teacher for a few science lessons this spring. This program also includes seminars on teaching techniques.
10/13-10/14/2016: Delange Conference IX, Rice University: "Teaching in the University of Tomorrow."
2/2013: Judge, Science Engineering Fair, George Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX
8/2012-5/2014: Analyst (tutor) with General Academic, Inc. I spent 2-10 hours/week working with a variety of student on science and math material, as well as test preparation. Many of my students attended Houston's top high schools. Most of my clients were long-term (i.e. 1+ semester), and I consistently received excellent performance reviews. Reference available upon request.
3/2013: Guest Lecturer, Cancer Biology course at University of St. Thomas, Houston, TX. I lectured on Wnt signaling in stem cells and cancer biology.
8/2012: Planning committee, BCM Breast Center Retreat, La Toretta, TX. I selected abstracts and organized talks for this 1.5 day off-site retreat and symposium involving breast cancer researchers in the Texas Medical Center (BCM, MD Anderson Cancer Center, etc).
2011: Attendee, weekly teaching certificate seminars at Rice University. I learned about topics related to effective teaching at the university level, i.e. teaching techniques, communication skills, legal issues, developing a curriculum, etc. (Total time: 20 hours).
3/2010- 5/2012: Trip leader with Rice University Outdoors Programs and Education. I taught rock climbing and outdoor skills to undergraduates and graduate students at Rice University, and mentored other trip leaders.
1/2011-5/2011: MCB Department Symposium Planning Committee. I chose speakers, organized practice talks, found judges, and ran this symposium consisting of 70 graduate students and a keynote speaker.
10/2010-5/2011: Teacher with Scientists at School/Citizen Schools program in Houston, TX. I designed, planned, and taught my own curriculum to underserved middle school students as part of a weekly after-school program. We also learned teaching techniques, student development, and classroom management in a series of preparation meetings.
8/2010-5/2011: Member, Association of Graduate Student Diversity at Baylor College of Medicine. One of my main volunteering experiences here was involvement with the Early College Awareness Program (see below).
2010: Early College Awareness Program, Baylor College of Medicine. I informed and supported 9-th-12th graders in underserved areas of Houston on pursuing college education, including information about the college admissions process, financial aid, and opportunities that can set you up for success.
8/2009-7/2010: Student Temporary Advising Committee adviser, Dept. of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine. I acted as a mentor and resource for first-year graduate students with regard to laboratory selection and academic matters.
Rice University
8/2005-5/2007: Tutor of high school biology, math, and chemistry for 2-3 hours/week.
4/2007: Poster Presenter, Rice Undergraduate Research Symposium. I presented on my senior honors thesis project with James McNew lab at Rice University. My poster was ranked in the top 20% of science presenters.
8/2005-12/2006: Volunteer, Rice University EMS
4/2006: Residential College Academic Fellow Chair, Rice University. I organized peer tutors and events to promote academic achievement at my residential college. I revitalized this peer tutoring program by recruiting more fellows, augmenting leadership, and organizing review sessions for critical courses.
Spring 2023: MBIO 600, Advanced Seminars in Cell Biology
Fall 2023: Instructor, BIO 203L Principles of Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory
MBIO 601, Colloquium in Molecular Biology Research
8/2023- current: SDSU Liaison, UCSD Moore's Cancer Center Office of Translational Science
Spring 2023: Judge, oral presentations, SDSU S3 Research Symposium
Fall 2020- current: BUMPP mentor of two undergraduates in biology. We had quarterly meetings to discuss career goals, getting involved in research, etc. BUMMP is a UCSD based organization which promotes the success of historically underrepresented undergraduates in the biological sciences, research, and post Bachelor's education.
Feb 21, 2020: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training, through University of California San Francisco School of Medicine.
July 15-18, 2019: I attended the HHMI Summer Institute on Scientific Teaching workshop to practice evidence-based scientific teaching principles that promote deeper learning and inclusivity, and further develop my teaching to include active learning practices.
Spring 2019: I judged undergraduates and Master's graduate student posters at the San Francisco State University College of Science and Engineering Science Student Showcase.
Fall 2018: I co-instructed BIOL 355 Genetics for majors at San Francisco State University, with the mentorship of Dr. Sally Pasion as part of the UCSF IRACDA program. I generated new course material, incorporated active learning techniques into the classroom, produced my own exam questions and grading rubrics, and held regular office hours.
Fall 2018: I volunteered with City College of San Francisco and the SF BRIDGES program. I gave a seminar for the Biotechnology course at CCSF on my research and career path, and mentored students preparing to apply for graduate school in biological sciences.
7/2018: Attendee, National IRACDA conference, Atlanta, Georgia. This conference includes diverse topics career development and achieving a diverse and equitable research lab and classroom environment. Examples of seminars included mental health in academia, HHMI tools for the classroom, and posing research questions to promote equality, and others.
5/2018: UCSF TRAIN UP (Training Researchers And INterns for Upcoming Professors). I participated in this course focusing on preparing future faculty for hiring, setting expectations, communicating effectively, dealing with different work styles, and creating an effective team.
5/2017: UCSF STEP-UP Course (Science Teaching Effectiveness Program for Upcoming Professors) This was an intensive short course in pedagogy, active learning methods and how to implement them, assessment and rubrics, diversity and inclusivity, and primary literature discussing why different methods work.
5/2017 and 5/2018: 9th Grade Science Fair Judge/Expert, Branson High School, Marin, CA
4-5/2017: Mentor and Science Fair Judge, Wallenberg High School Biotechnology Course. I am advising 4 groups of high school seniors on project proposal design and poster preparation. I also judged other groups' poster presentations at their Capstone Poster Symposium.
3/17-3/19/2016: National Postdoctoral Association Meeting, San Francisco, CA. Volunteer and Attendee.
12/2016- 5/2017: Science education partnership program, UCSF/SFUSD: I am a scientist volunteer partnering with an elementary school teacher for a few science lessons this spring. This program also includes seminars on teaching techniques.
10/13-10/14/2016: Delange Conference IX, Rice University: "Teaching in the University of Tomorrow."
2/2013: Judge, Science Engineering Fair, George Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX
8/2012-5/2014: Analyst (tutor) with General Academic, Inc. I spent 2-10 hours/week working with a variety of student on science and math material, as well as test preparation. Many of my students attended Houston's top high schools. Most of my clients were long-term (i.e. 1+ semester), and I consistently received excellent performance reviews. Reference available upon request.
3/2013: Guest Lecturer, Cancer Biology course at University of St. Thomas, Houston, TX. I lectured on Wnt signaling in stem cells and cancer biology.
8/2012: Planning committee, BCM Breast Center Retreat, La Toretta, TX. I selected abstracts and organized talks for this 1.5 day off-site retreat and symposium involving breast cancer researchers in the Texas Medical Center (BCM, MD Anderson Cancer Center, etc).
2011: Attendee, weekly teaching certificate seminars at Rice University. I learned about topics related to effective teaching at the university level, i.e. teaching techniques, communication skills, legal issues, developing a curriculum, etc. (Total time: 20 hours).
3/2010- 5/2012: Trip leader with Rice University Outdoors Programs and Education. I taught rock climbing and outdoor skills to undergraduates and graduate students at Rice University, and mentored other trip leaders.
1/2011-5/2011: MCB Department Symposium Planning Committee. I chose speakers, organized practice talks, found judges, and ran this symposium consisting of 70 graduate students and a keynote speaker.
10/2010-5/2011: Teacher with Scientists at School/Citizen Schools program in Houston, TX. I designed, planned, and taught my own curriculum to underserved middle school students as part of a weekly after-school program. We also learned teaching techniques, student development, and classroom management in a series of preparation meetings.
8/2010-5/2011: Member, Association of Graduate Student Diversity at Baylor College of Medicine. One of my main volunteering experiences here was involvement with the Early College Awareness Program (see below).
2010: Early College Awareness Program, Baylor College of Medicine. I informed and supported 9-th-12th graders in underserved areas of Houston on pursuing college education, including information about the college admissions process, financial aid, and opportunities that can set you up for success.
8/2009-7/2010: Student Temporary Advising Committee adviser, Dept. of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine. I acted as a mentor and resource for first-year graduate students with regard to laboratory selection and academic matters.
Rice University
8/2005-5/2007: Tutor of high school biology, math, and chemistry for 2-3 hours/week.
4/2007: Poster Presenter, Rice Undergraduate Research Symposium. I presented on my senior honors thesis project with James McNew lab at Rice University. My poster was ranked in the top 20% of science presenters.
8/2005-12/2006: Volunteer, Rice University EMS
4/2006: Residential College Academic Fellow Chair, Rice University. I organized peer tutors and events to promote academic achievement at my residential college. I revitalized this peer tutoring program by recruiting more fellows, augmenting leadership, and organizing review sessions for critical courses.
Previous Mentoring Experience
- Ashley Quintana (9/2019- current): I am mentoring this undergraduate from University of California, Berkeley for 2 days/ week for the 2019-2020 school year.
- Veronica Escalante (12/2017-12/2018): I mentored this student through an IRACDA- IMSD (Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity) Near-Peer Mentor partnership. We meet ~quarterly to support her progression through obstacles in graduate school.
- Anthony Gacasan (Summer 2018): I mentored this undergraduate participant (Texas A and M University) in the UCSF Summer Research Training Program. I designed his project, helped to advance his knowledge of breast cancer, his ability to contextualize his experiments, and technical skills. His lab work culminated in a brief research talk and a poster symposium.
- Andrew Ta (5/2013- 10/2014): I mentored this undergraduate student (Rice University) who assisted in advancing the research goals of my project using a variety of techniques in follow- up of rodent studies.
- Sydnee Spruiell (10/2012-1/2014): I worked with this undergraduate student (University of Houston) to support her learning basic DNA assays.
Professional Societies
2017-current: Member, NAVBIO (North American Vascular Biology Organization)
2017-current: Member, AACR
2014-2016: AWIS, Gulf Chapter
2017-current: Member, AACR
2014-2016: AWIS, Gulf Chapter
Paper Reviewing + Editing
2023: Reviewed papers for Autophagy and Nature Communications
2022: Reviewed papers for Autophagy and Cell Protocols
2020: Guest Editor, Special Methods Issue (December) of Journal of Mammary Gland Biology and Neoplasia
2019: Reviewed two papers for Autophagy
2018: Reviewed one paper for Autophagy
2017: Reviewed two papers for Autophagy
2012: Reviewed one paper for Developmental Biology
2022: Reviewed papers for Autophagy and Cell Protocols
2020: Guest Editor, Special Methods Issue (December) of Journal of Mammary Gland Biology and Neoplasia
2019: Reviewed two papers for Autophagy
2018: Reviewed one paper for Autophagy
2017: Reviewed two papers for Autophagy
2012: Reviewed one paper for Developmental Biology
Other Skills
Python (completed a 2 month Coursera class from Rice University), Adobe Illustrator, R, and Matlab.
Read, write, and speak German and Spanish
Read, write, and speak German and Spanish
