Hams linked in cv
- 1. Hams-1 Nicole Ja’net Hams Email: hamsn@oregonstate.edu Citizenship: United States Veteran: No Table of Contents Objective – Page 1 Education – Page 1 Research Experience – Page 1 Teaching Experience – Page 4 Research-Related Presentations – Page 6 Peer-Reviewed Work – Page 6 Awards and Recognitions – Page 6 Professional Organization – Page 7 Short-Term Professional Development and Outreach Projects – Page 7 Long-Term Professional Development and Outreach Projects – Page 8 Objective PhD candidate in Oregon State University Biochemistry & Biophysics program studying proteins involved in pre-lingual deafness using single-molecule microscopy. I am seeking to leverage critical thinking skills and experience in molecular biology and biophysics into studying diseases that affect fish and wildlife in the Pacific Northwest. Education Oregon State University Corvallis, Oregon, USA PhD, Biochemistry & Biophysics Anticipated Graduation: December 2017 148 Quarter Hours (99 Semester Hours) Oregon State University Corvallis, Oregon, USA MS, Biochemistry & Biophysics April 2015 94 Quarter Hours (63 Semester Hours) University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia, Missouri, USA BS, Biochemistry May 2012 150 Quarter Hours (100 Semester Hours) Research Experience Oregon State University Corvallis, Oregon, USA Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics April 2013-Present Graduate Research Assistant 40-60 hours per week Advisor: Dr. Colin Johnson, Colin.Johnson@oregonstate.edu Primary Project 1: January 2014 – February 2017 Otoferlin is a multivalent calcium sensitive scaffold linking SNAREs and calcium channels Overview: We identified a functional difference between neurotransmission in sensory hair cells and neurons. In doing so, I developed a generally applicable single-molecule assay used to determine the binding affinities of multivalent interactions. As a result of my contributions, we developed a new model in which otoferlin acts as a scaffold protein that couples calcium influx to membrane fusion. We also identified how the L1010P pathogenic mutation effects otoferlins’ interaction with
- 2. Hams-2 neurotransmission machinery. Our manuscript was submitted to Proceedings of the National Academy of Science and is currently in review. Relevant Skills, Programs and Techniques • Adobe Illustrator • Circular Dichroism •(Co)Immunoprecipitation • Epifluorescence Microscopy • ImageJ • Mammalian Tissue Culture • Matlab • Molecular Cloning and Mutagenesis • Prism • Progressive Curve Enzyme Analysis • Recombinant Protein Purification • Surface Functionalization • TIRF Microscopy •Western Blot Electrophoresis Primary Project 2: November 2015-November 2016; February 2017-Present Single molecule parallax fluorescence quenching measurements reveal cooperativity in otoferlin membrane penetration Overview We applied single-molecule microscopy to measure otoferlin membrane insertion using the non- cononical amino acid, acridone. I developed a single-molecule assay that used acridone and doxylated lipids as reporters of solvent environment and membrane penetration depth. As a result of my contributions, we were able to identify cooperative multi-domain interactions that have not been observed in previous studies. A manuscript summarizing our results is in the process of being prepared. Relevant Skills, Programs and Techniques • Adobe Illustrator • Analytical Ultracentrifugation • Genetic Code Expansion • ImageJ • Liposome Preparation • Molecular Cloning and Mutagenesis • Prism • Recombinant Protein Purification • Surface Functionalization • TIRF Microscopy Secondary Project 1: April 2013- January 2014 Characterization of the Lipid Binding Properties of Otoferlin Reveals Specific Interactions between PI(4,5)P2 and the C2C and C2F Domains Overview I collaborated with a senior graduate student to characterize the interaction between otoferlin and plasma membrane-associated lipids. I utilized fluorescence assays to probe otoferlin membrane insertion using acridone, a solvent sensitive amino acid. As a result of my contributions, we identified a specific amino acid directly involved in membrane insertion. The manuscript summarizing our results was published by Biochemistry in June 2014. Relevant Skills, Programs and Techniques • Genetic Code Expansion • Fluorescence Spectroscopy • Molecular Cloning and Mutagenesis • Prism • Recombinant Protein Purification University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia, Missouri, USA Department of Agricultural Biochemistry November 2009- May 2012 Undergraduate Research Assistant 38 hours per week Primary Advisor: Dr. David Emerich, emerichd@missouri.edu Secondary Advisor: Dr. Kent Strodtman, knstrodtman@ccis.edu Characterization of the roles of two benzoate metabolism genes implicated in the symbiotic relationship between the bacterium, B. japonicum, and soybeans Overview I assisted in investigating the roles of genes necessary for symbiotic nitrogen fixation between Bradyrhizobium japonicum and soybeans by creating plasmids harboring knock-outs of genes needed for converting atmospheric nitrogen into biologically active nitrogen. As a result of my
- 3. Hams-3 contributions, we were able to observe differences in soybean root nodules that developed in the presence of Bradyrhizobium japonicum mutants compared to their wild-type counterparts. I was also responsible for lab management and training incoming lab undergraduates Relevant Skills, Programs and Techniques • Bacterial Conjugation • Colorimetric Enzyme Assays • Molecular Cloning and Mutagenesis • Protein Purification • Seed Germination • Tissue Extraction Arizona State University Tempe, Arizona, USA Department of Electrical and Chemical Engineering June 2011- August 2011 NSF Nanotechnology (NNIN) REU Intern 30 hours per week Advisor: Dr. Junseok Chae, junseok.chae@asu.edu Optimization of the power density for microliter-sized microbial fuel cells Overview I examined the effects of dimensional parameters on fuel cell power density using. I applied nano- fabrication techniques to construct fuel cells and subsequently monitored power output using Geobacter sulferreducens as an analyte. As a result of my contributions, we were able to develop a standard operating procedure for constructing microbial fuel cells with twice the Coulomb efficiency as previously fabricated fuel cells. Relevant Skills, Programs and Techniques • Cleanroom Environment Training • Fuel Cell Manufacturing • Lab View • Oxygen Plasma Cleaning • Sputter deposition University of Missouri-Columbia Thailand College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources December 2010- January 2011 Study Abroad Student 3 week program Advisor: Dr. Robert Sites, SitesR@missouri.edu Experience Thai culture for three weeks while studying terrestrial and marine conservation Overview I participated in an ongoing collaborative project with the Phuket Marine Biology Center in which we transplanted live coral to artificial reefs to restore areas of the reef effected by bleaching, as well as assessed the reefs health and inhabitants. I also had to opportunity to plant saplings in mangroves that were destroyed by monsoons. In our remaining time in Thailand, we were able to participate in fields interactions with graduate students whom studied Gibbon mating, bird ecology and clouded leopard conservation. Relevent Skills, Programs and Techniques • Bird Identification • Reef Fish Identification • Night and Low-visibility Diving • Thai (Spoken) • Underwater Navigation • Underwater Photography • Underwater Search and Recovery University of California-San Diego San Diego, California, USA Department of Biomedical Engineering June 2010- August 2010 NSF Bioengineering Intern 43 hours per week Primary Advisor: Dr. David Gough, dgough@ucsd.edu Application of computational biophysics to elucidate factors that contribute to the thermal instability of lactate oxidase
- 4. Hams-4 Overview I used molecule modeling simulations ran via the San Diego Supercomputer to predict mutations that may increase the thermostability of lactase oxidase. Relevant Skills, Programs and Techniques • C++ Teaching Experience Oregon State University Corvallis, Oregon, USA BI 213 – Principles of Biology Course overview: Genetics, evolution, natural selection, and ecology. Instructor: Dr. Lori Kayes, Lori.kayes@oregonstate.edul Department of Integrative Biology April 2016 – June 2016 Graduate Teaching Assistant 14 hours per week Responsibilities I lead a weekly lab of 30 students in which I guided experiments that taught students biological skills including scientific methodology, experimental design, basic laboratory techniques, data analysis, and oral and written scientific communication. I participated in BI21x Graduate Teaching Assistant Development Program to be a more effective instructor and facilitator. I also coordinated with 4 other teaching assistants to proctor exams for >500 students BB 451 – General Biochemistry, Part II Course overview: Biochemistry series for students with a limited knowledge in physical chemistry Instructor: Dr. Victor Hsu, HsuV@oregonstate.edu Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics July J014 – September 2014 Graduate Teaching Assistant 12 hours per week Instructor: Dr. Phil McFadden, McFaddeP@oregonstate.edu Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics January 2014 – March 2014 Graduate Teaching Assistant 15 hours per week Responsibilities I lead a weekly recitation of ~30 students for 1 hour, twice a week. During this time I provided practical applications for the biochemical principles taught during lecture and developed interactive ways of learning difficult and complex cellular processes. When I assisted in teaching this course with Dr. Hsu, I had the opportunity to prepare a one-hour lecture about DNA replication as well as creating exam questions for material that was covered during recitation sections. BB 450 – General Biochemistry, Part I Course overview: Biochemistry series for students with a limited knowledge in physical chemistry Instructor: Dr.Phil McFadden, McFaddeP@oregonstate.edu Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics June 2014 – July 2014 Graduate Teaching Assistant 15 hours per week Co-Instructor: Dr. Andy Karplus, Karplus@science.oregonstate.edu, Co-Instructor: Dr. Elisar Barbar, BarbarE@science.oregonstate.edu Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics September 2013 – December 2013 Graduate Teaching Assistant 20 hours per week
- 5. Hams-5 Responsibilities I lead a weekly recitation of ~30 students for 1 hour, twice a week. During this time I provided practical applications for the biochemical principles taught during lecture and developed interactive ways of learning difficult and complex cellular processes. I created exam questions for material that was covered during recitation sections. Private Tutor Corvallis, Oregon, USA Subject: Biochemistry January 2014 – June 2014 4 hours per week Course Title: BB 450/451 – General Biochemistry Course overview: Biochemistry series for students with a limited knowledge in physical chemistry Responsibilities I further supplemented course material for up to 3 students in need of extra help. Columbia College Columbia, Missouri, USA Biol 410 – Molecular Biotechnology Course summary: Applications in molecular biology, with special emphasis on biotechnology. Instructor: Dr. Kent Strodtman, knstrodtman@ccis.edu Department of Biology April 2012 Undergraduate Guest Lecturer Total Project Hours: 3, unpaid Responsibilities I prepared and delivered a 30-minute lecture covering recombinant protein expression and answered questions regarding undergraduate research University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia, Missouri, USA Biochm 4272 – Biochemistry, Part II Course summary: Second semester of a comprehensive biochemistry series for biochemistry majors Instructor: Dr. Frank Schmidt, schmidtf@missouri.edu Department Agricultural Biochemistry January 2012- May 2012 Undergraduate Teaching Assistant 5 hours per week, unpaid Responsibilities I attended lecture 3 times a week to effectively organize and lead review sessions for students whom needed extra help. Biochm 4270 – Biochemistry, Part I Course summary: First semester of a comprehensive biochemistry series for biochemistry majors Instructor: Dr. David Emerich, emerichd@missouri.edu Department Agricultural Biochemistry August 2011- December 2011 Undergraduate Teaching Assistant 5 hours per week, unpaid Responsibilities I attended lecture 3 times a week to effectively organize and lead review sessions for students whom needed extra help.
- 6. Hams-6 Conference Presentations 2017 MANRRS National Conference Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA March 2017 Poster Presentation smCoBRA, a single-molecule method used to reveal the multivalency of otoferlin, a protein necessary for neurotransmission in sensory hair cells 2017 National Black Graduate Student Association Meeting Charlotte, North Carolina, USA March 2017 Oral Presentation smCoBRA, a single-molecule method used to reveal the multivalency of otoferlin, a protein necessary for neurotransmission in sensory hair cells 2017 Biophysical Society Meeting New Orleans, Louisiana, USA February 2017 Poster Presentation smCoBRA, a single-molecule method used to reveal the multivalency of otoferlin, a protein necessary for neurotransmission in sensory hair cells 2016 Oregon State University Genetic Code Expansion Conference Corvallis, Oregon, USA August 2016 Poster Presentation Acridone as a probe to characterize the membrane dipping properties of otoferlin using smTIRF 2012 McNair Scholars Conference Columbia, Missouri, USA March 2012 Poster and Oral Presentation Identification of the roles of catechol-1,2 dioxygenase and beta-ketoadipyl CoA thiolase during nodulation of soybeans by Bradyrhizobium japonicum. 2011 NSF Nanotechnology Convocation Atlanta, Georgia, USA August 2011 Poster and Oral Presentation Dimensional analysis of microliter sized microbial fuel cells 2010 Biomedical Engineering Society Meeting Austin, Texas, USA August 2010 Poster Presentation Computational Insight on the Influence of Subunit Packing on the Thermostability of Lactate Oxidase Peer-Reviewed Work Hams, N., Padmanarayana, M., Qiu, W. & Johnson, C.P. (2017). Otoferlin is a multivalent calcium sensitive scaffold linking SNAREs and calcium channels. PNAS. (In Review) Padmanarayana, M., Hams, N., Speight, L. C., Petersson, E. J., Mehl, R. A., & Johnson, C. P. (2014). Characterization of the lipid binding properties of Otoferlin reveals specific interactions between PI (4, 5) P2 and the C2C and C2F domains. Biochemistry, 53(30), 5023-5033. Awards and Recognitions Biochemistry/Biophysics Newsletter June 2017 Oregon State University Corvallis, Oregon, USA Directorate Research Fellowship June 2017-September 2017 US Fish and Wildlife Service Orofino, Idaho, USA
- 7. Hams-7 Amgen Scholar Summer Research Experience (Declined) June 2010-August 2010 University of California – San Diego San Diego, California, USA Professional Organizations Biophysical Society Member Since: 2017 Minorities in Agriculture Natural Resources and Related Sciences (OSU Chapter) Member Since: 2017 National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (Corvallis Branch) Member Since: 2016 National Black Graduate Student Association (OSU Chapter) Member Since: 2016 Society for the Adv. of Chicanx and Native Americans in Science (OSU Chapter) Member Since: 2016 Short-Term Professional Development and Outreach Projects MESA Banquet and Networking Dinner May 18 th , 2017 Highline Community College Des Moines, WA, USA MESA is a nationally recognized academic preparation program for minority students interested in pursuing STEM fields. I was invited as a special guest and where I had the opportunity to network and speak to students about the advantages of pursuing a graduate education. MESA Career Exploration Series May 18 th , 2017 Seattle Central Community College Seattle, WA, USA MESA is a nationally recognized academic preparation program for minority students interested in pursuing STEM fields. I was invited as a special guest and where I had the opportunity to first give a scientific talk. That was followed by a separate presentation where I spoke to students about the ins and outs of graduate school and then answered their questions. SMILE High School Challenge April 27 th -28 th , 2017 Western Oregon University Monmouth, OR, USA SMILE (Science and Math Investigative Learning Experience) is an after-school program for students in rural settings that aims to facilitate student interest in STEM fields. The 2017 high school challenge brought together over 100 high schools students to learn how advances in technology are used to created more sustainable communities. They then apply that knowledge to try to survive an interactive, team-based game called, Exoplanet 1061. Black Student Success Summit April 15 th , 2017 Portland State University Portland, OR, USA This purpose of this conference is to enhance students’ social capital so that students feel unlimited in their choice of career. I served as a panelist for the workshop session, “Thinking of graduate school?”, were we spoke to students about how to apply and fund graduate education, choosing an advisor, keeping focus and what to do after you graduate. African-American Youth Leadership Conference April 4 th , 2017 Linfield College McMinnville, OR, USA The purpose of this conference is to encourage middle and high school students to pursue a post-secondary education. Our sessions are led by doctors, professionals and community activists. I co-led a session entitled “What’s on your mind?” where students spoke about the challenges they face as students of color at their school. Myself and the other host gave students advice about what to do and they when they encounter these biases. SMILE Middle School Challenge March 8 th , 2017 Western Oregon University Monmouth, OR, USA SMILE (Science and Math Investigative Learning Experience) is an after-school program for students in rural settings that aims to facilitate student interest in STEM fields. The 2017 Middle School Challenge brought together over 300 middle school students to build a prosthetic leg that was adjustable in height and able to hold the weight of a middle school student.
- 8. Hams-8 Pacific Northwest LSAMP Conference March 4 th , 2017 Oregon State University Corvallis, OR, USA This annual conference gathers more than 250 under-represented minority STEM students, staff and faculty from across the Pacific Northwest to engage in workshops, industry networking opportunities, and present research posters at the symposium. I was a panelist for a Q and A session about the process of applying to and getting through graduate school. STEM Leaders Program-Workshop 6 February 2016 and February 2017 Oregon State University Corvallis, OR, USA The OSU STEM Leaders Program is designed to increase the diversity and success of undergraduates in STEM fields at OSU. I was a panelist for Workshop 6 (Finding your identity in STEM). This workshop focused on helping students better integrate into research environments by having panelist describe their STEM journey and then answer questions that students may have. OSU College of Science Diversity Committee March 2016 to June 2016 Oregon State University Corvallis, OR, USA I collaborated with colleagues from the College of Science to develop and implement programs and partnerships to recruit and retain graduate students from under-represented groups. We recommended ways to enhance professional development for students, advisors, faculty and staff in support of diversity and inclusion. Long-Term Professional Development and Outreach Projects Mi Familia Weekend November 2016 to April 2017 Position: Workshop Coordinator Mi Familia Weekend is an event designed to welcome family members of OSU students from multicultural and underrepresented backgrounds. The event program featured keynote speakers, breakout sessions on important topics relevant to students and families, meals, an organized exercise activity on campus, and other activities that are made to applicable to all age groups. As the workshop coordinator, I created and coordinated workshops for over 300 people. National Black Graduate Student Association (NBGSA) October 2016-Present Position: Western Region Representative (Elected) The NBGSA is the largest multi-disciplinary organization for students of African descent. On a national level, I am the 2017-2019 representative for the Western Region of the US. On a local level, our chapter facilitates professional development, networking and cultural appreciation events for graduate and undergraduate students at OSU. OSU Graduate Students Ambassadors Program (GSAP) December 2016-Present Position: Co-founder and Ambassador This purpose of the ambassador program is to increases enrollment and retention of minority graduate by actively participating in university recruitment events. This year, the graduate student ambassadors have participated in the following graduate-school funded events: OSU Graduate School Information Night – May 2017 at Oregon State University Black Student Success Summit – April 2017 at Portland State University OSU Graduate School Recruitment Day – April 2017 at Oregon State University MANRRS National Conference – March 2017 in Pittsburgh, PA Biophysical Society Annual Meeting – February 2017 in New Orleans, LA SACNAS National Conference – October 2016 in Long Beach, CA National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) October 2016-Present Position: Education Committee Chairperson (Appointed) The mission of the Corvallis Branch aligns with that of the National Branch. Our branch works to facilitate civic and community engagement as well as act as a voice of reason when conflict arises. The education committee strives to ensure that every disadvantaged student and student of color graduates ready for college or a career by ensuring access to great teaching, fair
- 9. Hams-9 discipline, equitable resources and challenging curriculum. I was appointed chairperson of this committee in March 2017 and am currently working with committee members to put together strategic initiatives. Society for Adv. of Chicanx and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) September 2016-Present Position: Co Vice-President (Elected) In alignment with the vision of the National SACNAS organization, we host a plethora of professional development, social and outreach workshops as well as service events.