Hannah Mirrashed, PhD - Research Laboratory Manager
PhD, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada, 2007
MSc, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada, 1999
hmirrashed@weternu.edu
I am a research scientist with more than 5 years of experience in research. Throughout this experience, I was given the opportunity to co-author six peer-reviewed publications and develop skills in a variety of fields, including Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Mycology, Biotherapeutics, organization management and regulation.
I completed a B.Sc. in Microbiology, followed by a M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Molecular Bio/Chemical sciences with a specialization in Biotherapeutics and Pharmacokinetics. During my two post-doctoral positions, I have focused my research on environmental issues such as biological wastewater treatment and risk assessment of microbial contaminants and data generation on microbial consortia stability and Ecotoxicology.
During my B.Sc. in Microbiology, I obtained experience in quality assurance in veterinary sciences and animal pharmacotoxicology by evaluating and analyzing biological and veterinary drugs and vaccines in a Drug Quality Control Laboratory. My graduate work initially focused on the use of large-scale techniques to study fungal populations and their distributions world-wide. I investigated molecular genetic variation in fungal populations (M.Sc.), yeast proteomics and gene expression profiles in response to plant-derived antimicrobial macromolecules. This approach improved bioactive herbal compounds, contributing to the development and optimization of pharmaceutical agents (Pharmacokinetics) (Ph.D).
In addition, prior to my current position, I worked as a research associate in the Food science and Nutrition division at Carleton University from Sep 2011- Feb 2012. My research focused on nutrigenomics and interdisciplinary studies of novel antimicrobial bioactive compounds from natural products. The research focuses on the mode of action of two major antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds; (1) Alkylresorcinols (phenolic acids) in cereal bran and (2) melatonin in sour cherries, in food and biological membranes in vitro. The results improved our understanding of the relationship between these natural compounds and their function in living microorganisms.
SKILLS AND EXPERTISE
- Genetic techniques: Microarray, Gene Deletion Array (GDA).
- Molecular biology techniques: QPCR /PCR amplification, Total DNA/RNA extraction, Cloning of PCR products for sequencing, Western blot, Southern blot, Fluorescent in-situ Hybridization (FISH), Northern blot, RFLP/ AFLP, Protein isolation and separation methods, Proteomic.
- Cell culture (Mammalian, yeast and bacterial, transfection, mutation).
- Gel electrophoresis (agarose/acrylamide), DGGE & TGGE.
- RNA synthesis from Yeast DNA and Arabidopsis plasmid.
- Histology and Immunohistochemistry (Paraffin sections).
- Microscopy (Fluorescent & Light Microcopy).
- Experience in quality assurance and quality control related to veterinary drugs, Phytochemistry (herbal remedies and traditional medicines) and environmental bioproducts.
- Experience in the critical evaluation of safety, efficacy data and health risk assessments related to natural health product, microbial hazards and environmental risk assessments of substances (organisms).
- Development of two different softwares. Yeast Features (YF) and Growth Detector (GD) at Carleton University and University of Waterloo. These softwares are designed to assist in the mode of action studies of medicinal compounds.
- Extensive experience in risk assessment of microbial contaminants and prepare assessment reports with respect to both human and environmental health hazards.
- Skilled and ability in planning and conducting scientific research for the characterization of microbial consortia and bioproducts and preparation of a comprehensive report on standard operating procedures (SOP).
- Excellent background in drafting, review and critical evaluation of scientific and other reports identify and analyze multidisciplinary data and provide advice to the Scientific Authority in the form of a scientific and regulatory report and recommendations.
- Knowledge of current and emerging issues, trends and challenges related to toxicology or biotechnology.
Jane Cho, PhD, MS- Laboratory technician
PhD, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 2011
MS, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, South Korea, 1998
jcho@westernu.edu
I have been involved with research since my freshmen year of college and have accumulated many skills and experiences in research. I received my MS and BS in microbiology, studying the stress response in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. I recently graduated with a PhD from the Department of Developmental and Cell Biology of UC Irvine. My research focused on the mechanisms of gene regulation in response to a specific BMP (Bone Morphogenic protein) signaling that is known to be crucial for patterning and growth in Fruit flies. During my graduate studies, I have taught multiple labs and discussion groups of many levels. I joined Western University in January 2011, and currently spent most of my time in the stem cell laboratory on the 4th floor of HEC.
Some of my research skills are summarized below:
- Molecular Biology techniques ( DNA, RNA and protein isolation, manipulations, subcloning)
- Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE, 2D- gels, DNA, RNA)
- PCR, real-time PCR
- Cell culture (Mammalian and insects, transfection, reporter gene assay)
- Screening (Mutagenesis, gDNA , cDNA)
- Histology and Immunohistochemistry ( Paraffin sections, whole mount IHC)
- Micro dissections, Micro injections (Transgenic fruit flies)
- Microorganism identification, Yeast two-hybrid, micro manipulation
- Microscopy (Phase-contrast, dark field, fluorescent , confocal and SEM)