EDUCATION:

June 1985              B.S. in Chemistry, Chicago State University;

May 1992              Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Loyola University of Chicago,

June 1996 - present Research Associate Fellow, Northwestern University, Medical School, Chicago, IL;

June 1992 - June 1993 Post Doctoral Fellow, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD;

Jan. 1987 - May 1992 Research Assistant and Teaching Assistant, Loyola University of Chicago, Chicago, IL;

Oct. 1985 - Jan. 1987 Quality Assurance Chemist, Soft Sheen Products, Chicago, IL;
 

SUMMARY OF EXPERIENCE:

March 1998- present: Microtubule associated (MT) proteins, such as Tau ,promote MT assembly and stability. Polymerization of Tau into straight filaments (SFs) and paired helical filaments (PHFs) destabilizes MT assembly ultimately leading to neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and other dementing illnesses. Frontotemporal dementia with Parkinsonism (FTDP17) is also a dementing illness that exhibits tau pathology with several mutations on chromosome 17. Hence, in order to map the sequences responsible for the polymerization of human tau protein, a library of deletion mutants was created from full length human tau protein with four microtubule binding repeats (HT40) using restriction enzymes and oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis. Techniques, such as, mutagenesis, cDNA transformation, protein purification, cDNA and amino acid sequencing, SDS gel, Western blot, electron microscopy and right angle laser scattering are used to study the critical sequences responsible for arachidonic acid induced tau polymerization in vitro.

June 1996 – March 1998: Lithium, the anti-manic and anti-depressant drug, used in the treatment of bipolar patients to regulate their mood swings also restores their disruptive circadian and sleep profiles. Melatonin, the hormone that is produced in the pineal gland regulates circadian rhythm, sleep, body temperature, and hormonal releases through the suprachiasmatic nucleus. Therefore, the study was aimed at investigating the interaction of lithium and melatonin receptors in Cultured CHO (Chinese Hamster Ovary) cells transfected with the human mt₁ melatonin receptors using biochemical and molecular techniques such as, radioactive nuclei labeled assays, Western and northern blots, in-situ hybridization, and RT-PCR.

June 1992 - June 1993: To isolate and understand the metabolic changes of cancer cells treated with radiation and chemotherapy, Radiation Induced Fibrosarcoma (RIF-1) cells were treated with Dexamethasone in vitro. Metabolic changes, cell growth, cell cycle, cell volume and clonogenicity effects of the drug on the cells were monitored using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, Coulter Counter, and Flow Cytometer techniques.

Jan. 1987 - Feb. 1992 : Lithium, used in the treatment of manic depressive patients, has several ways as to how it exerts its anti-manic and anti-depressive effects upon treatment. Using Multinuclear Magnetic Resonance, VIS/UV, Atomic Absorption, HPLC and GC techniques, it has been shown that lithium exerts its therapeutic effect by competing with magnesium for ATP and ADP binding sites. I have also shown that one of the reasons behind the slower Na⁺-Li⁺ exchange rate of bipolar patients than matched controls in lithium loaded RBC suspension is due to the difference in the phospholipid composition between the two groups.

Oct. 1985 - Jan. 1987: Improved and modified existing products, contributed new methods, used potentiometric titration, viscometer, and other standard tests to assure that all manufactured products met company's specifications before release.
 

HONORS AND AWARDS:

NIH Supplemental Grant Awards 1992, 1996 & 1999;

Loyola University President's Gold Medallion Award for Scholastic, Service and Leadership, Oct. 1991;

University Dissertation Fellowship Award, Loyola University of Chicago, Sept. 1991 - May 1992;

Illinois Minority Graduate Incentive Program Fellowship Award, Jan. 1987 - Dec. 1989;

Departmental Certificate of Merit, June 21, 1984;

The National Dean's List, Apr. 7, 1983;

The Mary Ellen Alexander Scholarship in Chemistry, June 24, 1982;

The National Dean's List, Apr. 23, 1982;

Certificate of Academic Excellence, Jan. 23, 1982.
 

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATION:

The American Society for Cell Biology;

Society for Neuroscience.
 

EXTRA-CURRICULA ACTIVITIES:

Charity service with the Missionaries of Charity.

Charity service with the Franciscan Outreach Association.

Basket ball, swimming, and reading.

REFEREED PAPERS: