Alicia Quihuis
Los Angeles,United States
Summary
Experienced PhD Neuroscientist with over 13 years in neuro-immuno-endocrine research, specializing in molecular biology techniques (PCR, Western blot, MRI) and animal model studies. Proven track record in leading cross-functional research teams, writing multi-million dollar grants and research publication and advancing scientific knowledge through innovative research. Seeking to contribute technical expertise and project leadership to drive impactful research to benefit diverse communities.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
PhD Research Assistant
University of Southern California – Neuroscience & Physiology Department
08.2015 - 08.2024
- In Neuro-Immuno-Endocrine lab, develop, perform, analyze, and write PhD thesis investigating sex differences of novel TgF344-AD rat model – behaviorally, pathologically, biochemically, and with Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Responsibilities include husbandry, genotyping, and maintain rodent colony
- Conducted and analyzed battery of behavioral tasks for thesis work including Open Field, Novel Object Recognition as well as Barnes Maze for assessing learning, memory, motor movement, and anxiety-like behavior
- Use of neurochemical techniques incorporated consist of PCR, Western blot, Biochemistry, and Immunohistochemistry assays
- Implement MRI scans to look at intact, ex-vivo neuroanatomical structural differences
- Manage annual lab/animal maintenance, safety, and protocol approvals
- Assisted in multi-million dollar grant reviews, submissions, and manuscript write-ups
- Mentor and train over 10 volunteer undergraduate students in basic laboratory and animal care skills.
Teacher's Assistant for Introduction to Neurobiology
University of Southern California
08.2023 - 12.2023
- Taught Neuroscience majors and pre-professional lab course curriculum for two classes of 25 students
- Quizzed, lectured, and answered course questions in classroom setting, graded quizzes and science publication journal presentations
- Course experiments performed dealt with published scientific investigation centering around key neurobiology concepts, techniques, and experimental models.
- Helped students explore concepts with engaging, learning-focused activities.
Teacher's Assistant for General Biology
University of Southern California
08.2016 - 12.2016
- Taught majors and pre-professional general biology lab course curriculum for two classes of 20 students
- Lectured and monitored students in lab setting, graded lab reports and presentations
- Lab experiments performed dealt with scientific investigation, evolution, animal behavior, bacteria, plant diversity and ecology.
Research Lab Manager
Arizona State University – Psychology Department
10.2013 - 08.2015
- In this behavioral neuroscience lab, participate in ongoing research projects that investigate menopause, memory, and aging
- Responsibilities include using behavior mazes and tasks to test memory and behavior; performing neurochemical assays; laboratory maintenance and cataloging and purchasing of inventory; statistical analysis, performing various animal surgeries: OVX, osmotic pump insertions
- Assist PI in renewing/editing protocols, managing/accounting multiple million dollar grants, and other clerical works
- Mentor and train over 15 volunteer undergraduate students in basic laboratory and animal care skills.
Small Business Owner & Operator
Flavor – Coffee and Ice Cream Shop
12.2011 - 10.2013
- Operate shop from ground up with one other worker
- Obtain supplies from wholesalers, serve customers, keep shop clean based off Environmental Safety Standards, monitor upkeep on all shop equipment
- Maintain all accounting, bill, permit and license records
- Sole person for administering advertisement and fundraising donations to local groups
- Develop and update shop's Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, and Yelp pages.
Research Specialist
University of Arizona College of Medicine – Basic Medical Sciences
03.2009 - 11.2011
- In a neuroendocrinology lab, conducted experiments dealing with cell and tissue culture and animal studies while utilizing the following assays/techniques: PCR, ELISA, RIA, in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and western blot among others to extract data
- Proficient in managing animal care, conducting animal behavior testing, and in performing common surgeries: ADX, OVX, GDX; and perfusions
- Incorporated statistical programs to organize and analyze data
- Oversaw and trained over 10 graduate and undergraduate student workers and volunteers on common lab and animal techniques
- Maintained lab and equipment
- Acted as Radiation Safety Coordinator for lab and was the sole person for ordering, cataloging use, packaging waste, cleaning up, or dealing with any other issue regarding radiation.
Clinical Laboratory Specialist II
Blood Systems Laboratories
09.2008 - 02.2009
- Prepared and ran ELISA assays to screen hundreds of blood samples from across states: Arizona and New York and New Jersey in Virology Department for HIV, Hepatitis C, and Chagas disease using Ortho Summits for pipetting and Ortho Summit Processors for completing ELISA testing.
- Received, de-capped and re-racked samples in preparation for screening and testing.
- Completed daily maintenance on machinery and preserved clean environment in Virology Department Laboratory space.
Teacher's Assistant for Organic Chemistry Lab
Arizona State University
01.2008 - 05.2008
- Taught non-major organic chemistry lab course curriculum for three classes of 20 students
- Monitored students in lab setting; developed and graded quizzes, reports, final products and exams
- Lab experiments performed dealt with purifying techniques (recrystallization and different forms of chromatography), saponification with glycerides and esters, and preparation of functional groups (alkyl halides, alkenes, polymers).
Education
Doctor of Philosophy - Neuroscience
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California09-2024
Bachelor of Science - Biochemistry With Medicinal Concentration
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ12-2007
Biochemistry -
Mesa Community College
Mesa, AZ12.2004
Skills
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Neurobiology
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Immunohistochemistry
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
- Western Blot
- ELISA
- Tissue Culture
- Data Collection and Analysis
- GraphPad Prism (Data analysis tool)
- Fiji ImageJ (Imaging and analysis software)
- MRSolutions Preclinical Scan Software
- Scientific Writing
- Statistical Analysis
- Experimental Design
- Protocol Design
- Research and Technical Writing
- Grant Writing
- Research and Publication
- Scientific Communication
- Research Documentation
- Lab Safety
- Project Management
- Presentations (General and Scientific)
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Collaboration with Stakeholders
- Mentorship
- Teaching
- Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis
- Leadership and Outreach
- Literature Review
- Technical Support
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Spectroscopy
- Genotyping
- Tissue Processing
- Novel Object Recognition
- Capillary Electrophoresis
- Physiology
- Organic Chemistry
- Electrophoresis
- Health Sciences
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Time Management
- Fundraising
- Management
- Interpretation of Findings
- Writing (General)
- Editing
- Recordkeeping
- Radiology
- Advising
- Purchasing
- Accounting
- Advertisement
- Physical Science
Selected Publications
- The C9ORF72 repeat expansion alters neurodevelopment, Hendricks, E, Quihuis, AM et al., Cell Reports, 2023
- Oestrogen treatment modulates memory in menopausal rats, Koebele, SV, Quihuis, AM et al., Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 2021
- 10 authored scientific publications and 1 manuscript in preparation for submission.
Timeline
Teacher's Assistant for Introduction to Neurobiology
University of Southern California
08.2023 - 12.2023
Teacher's Assistant for General Biology
University of Southern California
08.2016 - 12.2016
PhD Research Assistant
University of Southern California – Neuroscience & Physiology Department
08.2015 - 08.2024
Research Lab Manager
Arizona State University – Psychology Department
10.2013 - 08.2015
Small Business Owner & Operator
Flavor – Coffee and Ice Cream Shop
12.2011 - 10.2013
Research Specialist
University of Arizona College of Medicine – Basic Medical Sciences
03.2009 - 11.2011
Clinical Laboratory Specialist II
Blood Systems Laboratories
09.2008 - 02.2009
Teacher's Assistant for Organic Chemistry Lab
Arizona State University
01.2008 - 05.2008
Doctor of Philosophy - Neuroscience
University of Southern California
Bachelor of Science - Biochemistry With Medicinal Concentration
Arizona State University
Biochemistry -
Mesa Community College
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