RESEARCH: PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS
MIDWESTERN UNIVERSTIY RESEARCH
May 2023 - Present
Student Researcher
Midwestern University, Biomedical Sciences Dept. Nafisa Jadavji, Ph.D., Glendale, AZ
Impact of vitamin B12 in 1-Carbon metabolism & how age-related diseases affect brain function
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Conduct immunofluorescence assays.
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Perform Fluorescence microscopy and analyze data from acquired images.
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Analyze literature for effects of vitamin B12 on brain function.
May 2023 - July 2023
Student Researcher
Midwestern University, Biomedical Sciences Dept. Sudhindra Gadagkar, Ph.D., Glendale, AZ
Impatiens species database of traits & EndNote library maintenance
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Review literature regarding the 500+ Impatiens species in the developing database.
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Extrapolate species-specific data and input information into the database.
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Inspect EndNote literature references and gather proper reference materials.
March 2019 - May 2020
Graduate Student
Midwestern University, Biomedical Sciences Dept. Joshua Gasiorowski, Ph.D., Downers Grove, IL
"Characterizing Unique Expression Profiles of Sorted Mammalian Cells Transfected with Non-Viral Plasmid DNA"
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The primary aim quantified transfection efficiencies using non-viral transfection methods including Lipofectamine and electroporation. Fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry were used to isolate transfected cells into non-, low-, medium-, and high-GFP expressing cell populations.
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The subsequent aim involved transfecting mammalian cells with both GFP and DsRed plasmids in various concentrations. Fluorescent microscopy and Nikon analysis software were used to investigate how the utilization of different plasmids affects transgene expression within each profile.
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The tertiary aim involved plating isolated expression populations onto various biomaterials with different biophysical properties to determine the effects of the extracellular matrix on transgene subnuclear localization and expression.
CINCINNATI CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER
Jan. 2020 - Jun. 2022
Research Flow Cytometry Core, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Research Assistant III
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Start-up and operate cell sorters for clients.
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Organize meetings, schedule sorts, and provide insight to clients regarding sort optimization.
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Train clients on proper independent sorting protocols.
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Present sort data to my colleagues for constructive feedback and problem solving.
Testing aerosol containment & performing cell sorting duties
HEIDELBERG UNIVERSITY RESEARCH
Jan. 2020 - Jun. 2022
Heidelberg University, Senior Research Project, Lauren McGraw, M.Ed., ATC
Student Researcher
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Coordinated and authored the experimental design, informed written consent forms, and questionnaire.
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Authored and submitted paperwork for IRB approval.
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Organized and conducted participant recruitment meetings and timed track sessions. Developed an audio playlist and recorded data.
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Systematically masked participant data and performed relevant analyses.
This project was supported by Heidelberg University with IRB approval.
"Does Music Tempo Affect Male Athletic Performance?"
PUBLICATIONS
Virdi S, McKee AM, Nuthi M, Jadavji NM. The Role of One-Carbon Metabolism in Healthy Brain Aging. Nutrients. 2023; 15(18):3891. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15183891
PRESENTATIONS
McKee, AM., Joshi, S., Ille S., Beach TG., Serrano GE., Jadavji NM. Evaluation of one-carbon metabolite enzymes and receptors in brain tissue from vascular contribution to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID) patients. Poster presented at: Arizona Alzheimer's Consortium Annual Scientific Conference; Sept. 11, 2023; Tempe, AZ.
McKee, AM., Sproles, A., Lages, CS., Thornton, S. Testing Aerosol Containment of Flow Cytometry Cell Sorters in a Shared Resource Laboratory. Oral presentation at: Great Lakes International Imaging and Flow Cytometry Association Conference; Sept. 17, 2022; Indianapolis, IN.
McKee, AM., McGowan, E., Besiri, T., Gasiorowski, JG. Characterizing Unique Expression Profiles of Sorted Mammalian Cells Transfected with Non-Viral Plasmid DNA. Abstract presented at: Kenneth A. Suarez Research Day; Spring 2020; Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL.
McGowan, E., McKee, AM., Besiri, T., Gasiorowski, JG. Comparing transgene expression of human and viral promoters in human and mammalian cells. Abstract presented at: Kenneth A. Suarez Research Day; Spring 2020; Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL.
McKee, AM., Belliveau, L. Does Music Tempo Affect Male Athletic Performance. Oral presentation at: Minds at Work Student Research Conference; Apr. 10, 2018; Heidelberg University, Tiffin, OH.