Research Technician VII
Walter Reed Army Institute of Research
Total years of experience :14 years, 6 Months
I am currently working on development and assessment of vaccine candidates for Flaviviruses. I have mastered several skills including but not limited to Immunoflourescent assays, preparation of samples for flow cytometry, electroporation, virus titration assays, various mammalian and monkey cells culturing. Currently, I am assigned to teach and train new technicians and summer students and cadets joining our team. In addition to the above-mentioned experiences, I am currently licensed to work with non-human primates to test and assess different the vaccine candidates.
I was working on studying different proteins involved in epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT). I assisted in several projects involved with studying and understanding the pathways involved in metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). My expertise is dedicated towards injection of various tested cell lines into different mouse models and studying cancer progression after subcutaneous and tail vein injections. Upon reaching the cutoff values of size accepted by our facility, I harvested different tissues showing metastasis and assess the disease progression through immunohistochemistry. Thee cell lines being injected are primary mammalian cells (extracted from patients with lung adenocarcinoma), which are necessarily harvested back via flow cytometry and the lines are expanded according to need. The mice models have been showing consistent signs of tumor growth and metastasis especially in the metastatic cell lines, allowing me to attain more skills and experiences related to handling in-vivo models. These models were used to assess different proteins associated with metastases in lung cancer (Biomarkers) and study their effect on the prognosis of the mice. I am also isolating, purifying DNA to assess proper genotyping of the colony, running different PCR reactions following protocols that were pre-tested, running and interpreting gel electrophoresis results to maintain proper husbandry of the animal colony. Also, I assisted with the operation and maintenance of cages washing equipment following approved procedures by MD Anderson department of veterinary medicine. I was also assigned to keep track of all supplies and equipment in a preset LIMS system to facilitate tracking and ordering of different items. Also, part of my job was assigned to work with IRB specialists to submit different protocol updates and keep track of the IACUC system update of our lab.
I was working on developing and optimizing bead sensors to detect biomarker levels in serum and saliva using written and optimized SOPs. The main aim is to develop a point of care (POC) device to compete with gold standards of medicinal assays in diagnosis and prognosis of different diseases. I have successfully submitted successful data sets to NASA on a project testing biomarkers associated with long lived stay in a zero gravity space ship. Also, I am currently working on a prostate cancer project with CPRIT aiming to identify better biomarkers to be used for diagnosis and prognosis of patient’s conditions. For this project, our lab in collaboration with Baylor college of Medicine and UT in San Antonio are collecting serum samples to assess the level of prostatic specific antigen (PSA) in blood. These samples are stored according to FDA regulations with proper labeling and storage conditions. I have also succeeded in training and supervising a number of individuals about lab safety and regulations, in addition to establishing and implementing procedures to reduce risk of serious occupational hazards. GLPs have been implemented and followed to minimize potential lab safety risks.
I was working on a project studying the protein interaction of exocyst subunits and their effect on the exocytosis of certain cargos from inside the cell. This was done via live cell imaging using Total internal reflection microscopy (TIRFM). I also conducted fixed cell imaging using indirect ELISA and IHC assays then imaging via spinning disc microscope (another type of confocal microscopes). Cell culturing (Bon cells, Hela cells, Hek-293 cells and primary pancreatic cancer cell lines) for this process was done following SOPs and maintaining established GLPs. Cellular transfection with fluorescent probes was done via 2 methods including lentiviral transfection or electroporation under consistent cell number, conditions and safety regulations. All cell cultures were maintained in a completely sterile environment and handled with care, also the process of cell cryopreservation whether in -80 degrees or liquid nitrogen tanks was done according to SOPs. Data extracted was analyzed meticulously via different ways including but not limited to SPSS, ImageJ and Microsoft excel to obtain the most representative diagrams conveying the data extracted. The lab was ensured for compliance with Lab policies implemented in Yale. I have been handling Laser equipment and assessing and maintaining the environmental safety of the lab it was used in. Continuous assessment of biohazard usage including human and animal samples was conducted and proper ways of disposal were following OSHA guidelines. Working with viruses and human cell cultures increased risk of infection, which was limited by proper usage of calibrated hoods and ensuring usage of PPE.
I had 2 projects at hand including the study of the colonic transit time in patients with spinal cord injuries via the usage of a smart pill. I was also assigned to prepare liposomes including a drug that was used for research purposes to induce bowel movements in patients with spinal cord injury. For the research purposes I was assigned to recruit patients to the study, consent them and draw blood and urine samples to test the adequacy of recruiting each patient into the study. Blood samples were assessed via CBC and differential cell count followed by precise observations and data analysis. I was also assigned to validate the patient’s eligibility for the study. Safety of personnel and patients was a first priority at all times, thus FDA regulated protocols of handling equipment and devices including X-rays, MRIs and CT-scans were conducted. Continuous training and supervision was maintained to allow incessant efficiency of safety measures.
I had rotations in departments of Internal medicine, where I was able to attend ER shifts, night shifts, outpatient clinics and conferences. I was assigned to management of the department cases under supervision of residents and staff members. Through this time I acquired new skills of diagnosis and treatment of a variety of cases. Proper and continuous assessment of safety or medical personnel and patients at risk was compulsory at all times. Ways of assessment included consistent testing of medical personnel for various common nosocomial infections. Following GCPs, proper PPE in handling different kinds of injections including but not limited to intramuscular and subcutaneous was maintained at all times, this was successful due to consistent compliance of my colleagues.
• Relevant Coursework: Cell culture techniques, Molecular Genetics and Genomics, Nucleic acid biochemistry, Cancer biology, Cell biology, Immunology, Data Analysis and Bioinformatics. • Research project: Neural differentiating conditions for in-vitro treatment of Teratomal cancer stem cell. • Cumulative GPA: 3.387
• Relevant Coursework: Physiology, Anatomy, Biochemistry, Histology, Psychology, Pharmacology, Pathology, Bacteriology, Bacteriology, Parasitology, Ophthalmology, ENT, Forensic and Toxicology, Community medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology. • Currently, licensed to practice in Egypt.