Madison N. Blea
Athens,USA
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Graduate Research Assistant
Wallace Lab
10.2023 - Current
- Third year Ph.D. candidate in Dr. Ian Wallace’s lab at the University of Georgia
- Exploring enzymatic mechanisms of RRT and RGGAT enzymes in Arabidopsis thaliana responsible for rhamnogalacturonan-I catalysis
- Investigating the importance and conservation of the O-GlcNAc and O-Fucose modification of proteins across plant evolution by characterizing targets of O-GlcNAc- and O-Fucosyltransferases in the moss Physcomitrium patens
- Elucidating the biochemical function of the Arabidopsis thaliana Domain of Unknown Function-821 family of putative Rumi-like O-glucosyltransferase enzymes
- Biochemical characterization of Extensin glycosyltransferases based on Dogma-based genetic information suggesting the activity of enzymes.
Service Chair
Biochemistry Graduate Student Association
05.2024 - Current
- Facilitated broad community outreach opportunities for BCMB graduate students at UGA by organizing blood drives and food drives, forming community science fair judging panels, and providing students with tutoring opportunities for Athens area grade schools.
- Organized hands-on scientific demonstrations for Athens Clarke County elementary through middle school students to educate them on careers in life sciences.
- Developed points of contact for outreach in education for Athens area youth to experience science in after school programs, the Boys and Girls Club, and elementary school Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math nights.
Glycoscience Training Program Retreat Chair
University of Georgia, CCRC
08.2025 - 01.2026
- Spearheaded the planning, organization, and setup of the annual student-led symposium for the NIH T32 Glycoscience Training Program.
- Responsibilities including inviting speakers, giving an invited talk, and organizing an annual poster competition and networking opportunities for Glycoscience Training Program trainees.
Glycoscience Training Program Social Chair
University of Georgia, CCRC
08.2024 - 08.2025
- Organized social and professional development events for Glycoscience Training Program trainees, including opportunities for practicing oral presentation, receiving group feedback on poster design, and encouraging camaraderie in the GTP cohort.
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Wallace Lab
01.2020 - 01.2023
- Worked under the advisement of Dr. Ian S. Wallace for 3 years of my undergraduate education
- Conducted research on functional characterization of plant glycosyltransferase enzymes in vitro
- Provided biochemical evidence of extensin glycosylation in the plant cell wall in vitro
- Exploring the function of putative Rumi-like O-glucosyl-transferase and Fringe-like O-GlcNActransferases in Arabidopsis thaliana
- Developed skills in protein expression and purification by affinity chromatography, enzymatic activity assays, molecular cloning, protein sequence alignment, phylogenetic analysis homology modeling, PCR genotyping, cell wall analysis, phenotypic analysis, cross-pollination
Undergraduate Leadership Position
Biochemistry 110 Discussion Leader
01.2021 - 2022
- Provided resources and support to enhance student success in the biochemistry and molecular biology program at the University of Nevada, Reno.
- Educated students and lead discussions on significant ethical dilemmas faced in biochemistry professions, emphasizing applications in medicine and research.
Undergraduate Leadership/Mentor Position
NevadaFIT Mentor/Pack Pod Mentor
01.2020 - 01.2022
- Led engagement in discussions about university life and higher education with mentees. Enabled participants to navigate new, intellectually intimidating environments with confidence. Fostered a sense of community among individuals adjusting to new experiences.
- Facilitate conflict resolution and problem solving with large groups of students and mentors during long hours
- Helping incoming students navigate the transition into higher education and the Biochemistry major at the University of Nevada, Reno
- Introduce incoming students to Biochemistry and Molecular Biology faculty and help them make first contact with research opportunities
Intern for the Fallon Convention and Tourism Authority
City of Fallon, Fallon, NV
Fallon, NV
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Helping travelers and patrons in a timely and friendly fashion
- Working efficiently and quickly in group settings
- Setting up and organizing events and functions
- Organizing, filing, and mailing local government documents
Education
Ph.D. - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
University of Georgia
Athens, GA03-2028
Bachelor of Science - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
University of Nevada, Reno
Reno, NV05-2023
High School Honors - Honors Diploma
Churchill County High School
Fallon, NV05-2019
Skills
- Molecular biology techniques like vector design, PCR, primer design, gel electrophoresis, gateway cloning, TOPO cloning, Gibson/HiFi assembly
- Protein expression in E coli and HEK293 cells, protein purification, SDS-PAGE, BCA, and analysis of enzymatic activity by UDP-Glo Activity Assays, MALDI-TOF MS
- Proficient in E coli and A tumefaciens culture and transformation
- Cell wall monosaccharide alditol acetate derivatization and analysis through GC-FID
- Experience in cell culture work with adherent and suspension cells
- Analytical thinking, self-directed and motivated, academic presentations, project management, scientific communication
Students Mentored
- 11/2023-05/2024 Sierra Blackburn (UGA Undergraduate)
- 11/2023-05/2024 Mehreen Anwar (UGA Undergraduate)
- 05/2024-07/2024 Imani Faulkner (REU student)
- 08/2025-present William Daniel (UGA Undergraduate)
- 01/2026-present Marie Fallon (UGA Undergraduate)
Other
- Department of Theater and Dance- Minor
- University of Nevada, Reno
- 9 semesters of dance classes through the department as well as master classes from special guest artists
- Involved in 7 productions choreographed by both faculty, students, and alumni and worked in teams with group choreography
Publications
- Robichaux, K. J., Blea, M., Amos, R., Huang, C., Mohnen, D., Wallace, IW., "Characterization of recombinant Arabidopsis FRIABLE1 (FRB1) reveals robust Rhamnogalacturonan-I Rhamnosyltransferase activity and critical catalytic residues", Published in: Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2026.
- Field, S., Dorone, Y., Dwyer, W., Cox, J., Hastings, R., Blea, M., Wallace, I., Boeynaems, S., Rhee, S., “Arabidopsis thaliana RHAMNOSE 1 condensate formation is essential for UDP-rhamnose synthesis”, In review in Current Biology, bioRxiv available, 2024.
- Robichaux, K. J.#, Smith, D. K.#, Blea, M. N., Weigand, C., Harper, J. F., Wallace, I. S., “Disruption of pollen tube homogalacturonan synthesis relieves pollen tube penetration defects in the Arabidopsis O-FUCOSYLTRANSFERASE1 mutant”, Published in: Plant Reproduction, 2023.
- Blea, M.N., Wallace, I.S., “Analysis of post-translational modifications in Arabidopsis proteins and metabolic pathways using the FAT-PTM database”, Published in: Methods in Molecular Biology, 2022.
- University of Georgia GTP Retreat January 2026
- Invited talk to give at annual Glycoscience Training Program retreat in Athens, GA entitled “Investigating the physical interactions of RG-I biosynthetic enzymes”
- University of Georgia GTP Retreat January 2025
- Poster Presentation at Glycoscience Training Program retreat in Athens, GA entitled “Exploring the Function of DUF821 Glycosyltransferases in Arabidopsis thaliana”
- University of Mississippi Glyco Star November 2024
- Invited talk given at University of Mississippi Glyco Star seminar series in Oxford, MS “Exploring new regulatory strategies and orphan glycosyltransferases underlying plant cell wall biosynthesis”
- University of Georgia Plant Center Retreat October 2024
- Poster Presentation at Plant Center retreat at Callaway Gardens, GA entitled “Exploring the Function of DUF821 Glycosyltransferases in Arabidopsis thaliana”
- American Society of Plant Biologists June 2024
- Poster Presentation at national meeting in Honolulu, HI entitled “Exploring the Function of DUF821 Glycosyltransferases in Arabidopsis thaliana”
Honors and Awards
American Society of Plant Biologists Travel Grant 2024, Award to cover travel to attend the 2024 national ASPB meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii to give a poster presentation., CCRC Glycoscience Training Program NIH T32 Training Grant 2023-2025, Award to provide predoctoral training to graduate students in rigorous and multidisciplinary approaches to glycoscience at the University of Georgia, ILS Osborne Assistantship Award 2023, Award for continuation of research and for the high potential of future success in graduate studies, UNR Biochemistry Outstanding Senior Award 2023, Awarded to students in the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology, and Natural Resources to recognize students with an outstanding academic, leadership, and service history, American Society of Plant Biologists Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Honorary Mention 2022, Award for working on individual research in Dr. Ian Wallace’s lab for 10 weeks in preparation for poster presentation at ASPB conference in the summer of 2023 in Savannah, Georgia, Louis and Genevieve Capurro Scholarship 2021-2022, Scholarship for working with faculty member doing research relating to agricultural enhancement in the Great Basin area., Henry and Edith Albert Scholarship 2022-2023, Senior public service award for good standing within the University of Nevada, Reno and service to benefit the University or community., CABNR Dean’s List 2020-2023, University of Nevada College of Agriculture, Biotechnology, and Natural Resources Earned a minimum of a 3.75 GPA with a course load of 12+ credits., SWE Certificate of Achievement 2019, STEM Certificate of achievement for high school female students excelling in STEM
Timeline
Glycoscience Training Program Retreat Chair
University of Georgia, CCRC
08.2025 - 01.2026
Glycoscience Training Program Social Chair
University of Georgia, CCRC
08.2024 - 08.2025
Service Chair
Biochemistry Graduate Student Association
05.2024 - Current
Graduate Research Assistant
Wallace Lab
10.2023 - Current
Undergraduate Leadership Position
Biochemistry 110 Discussion Leader
01.2021 - 2022
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Wallace Lab
01.2020 - 01.2023
Undergraduate Leadership/Mentor Position
NevadaFIT Mentor/Pack Pod Mentor
01.2020 - 01.2022
Intern for the Fallon Convention and Tourism Authority
City of Fallon, Fallon, NV
01.2018 - 01.2019
Ph.D. - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
University of Georgia
Bachelor of Science - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
University of Nevada, Reno
High School Honors - Honors Diploma
Churchill County High School