Cynthia Lascarez
HERSHEY
Summary
PhD graduate researcher with expertise in cancer biology, DNA damage repair, and genome maintenance, supported by extensive hands-on experience in molecular and cellular biology research. Experienced in experimental design, advanced laboratory techniques, quantitative data analysis, troubleshooting, and scientific communication. Strong collaborator and mentor with a demonstrated ability to translate complex scientific concepts into clear, actionable insights. Interested in applying rigorous scientific training and interdisciplinary problem-solving skills to advance biomedical research and therapeutic development.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Graduate Research Assistant
Penn State College of Medicine -Dr. George-Lucian Moldovan
Hershey, PA
05.2024 - Current
- A genome-wide CRISPR screen identified SYNRG as a novel genome stability factor involved in chemoresistance. The focus of this project is to characterize the role of SYNRG in cancer cells following exposure to chemotherapeutic and define the mechanisms by which it contributes to the cellular response to chemotherapy. This work will provide new insight into the molecular basis of chemoresistance.
- Managed scheduling of experiments, optimizing resource allocation for project timelines.
- Supported graduate students in project execution, fostering a collaborative learning environment.
- Contributed to professionally-written scientific paper for publication.
- Managed multiple research projects simultaneously, ensuring timely completion and adherence to high-quality standards.
- Contributed to the development of research proposals, securing funding for critical projects.
Graduate Research Assistant
Towson State University - Dr. Tsuji Diet and Cancer Laboratory
Towson, MD
07.2021 - 05.2023
- I conducted my thesis project in Dr. Petra Tsuji's Diet and Cancer laboratory, where I investigated the effects of high-polyphenol sorghum on the expression and activity of Phase I and Phase II enzymes in human cancer cells. My research focused on the carcinogen Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), which is metabolically activated by Phase I enzymes, primarily cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms, and inactivated by Phase II enzymes. Using leaf and bran extracts from three novel Sorghum bicolor varietals rich in polyphenols, I treated colon cancer (Caco2 and HT29) and liver cancer (HepG2) cells to assess mRNA expression, protein levels, and enzymatic activity through RT-qPCR, western blotting, and ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) assays. My findings provided insights into the potential chemopreventive properties of high-polyphenol sorghum as part of a healthy diet.
- Mentored undergraduate students, providing guidance on research methodologies and techniques.
- Conducted extensive background research on specific topics, establishing a strong foundation for project success.
- Reviewed and synthesized relevant research articles to inform the development of research questions and hypotheses.
Graduate Research Intern
University of Maryland School of Medicine
Baltimore, MD
06.2022 - 08.2022
- The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic highlighted the urgent need for effective antiviral treatments. My research focused on using yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) to investigate the SARS-CoV-2 proteome, aiming to identify viral proteins that cause growth inhibition in yeast. I picked single yeast cell colonies and grew them to stationary phase in CAA media containing raffinose. These cultures were then diluted in galactose-containing media to induce gene expression, and growth phenotypes were analyzed by measuring optical density. To further examine the growth phenotype, I performed drop cultures on petri dishes with glucose and galactose, utilizing the galactose-inducible vector. From these studies, we gained a better understanding on how SARS-CoV-2 proteins interact with eukaryotic cells to potentially develop antiviral therapies for highly pathogenic coronaviruses.
- Effectively managed time and resources to meet project deadlines while maintaining a high level of quality in research outputs.
- Applied cutting-edge methods from various disciplines to address challenging questions related to fundamental theories or practical applications.
- Presented research findings at conferences and workshops, increasing visibility of the project within the academic community.
Undergraduate Research Student
Rowan University - Dr. CLAUDE KRUMMENACHER
Glassboro, NJ
07.2019 - 05.2021
- Herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) affects 57% of American adults, causing oral herpes and establishing lifelong latency in sensory neurons. Current antiviral drugs manage symptoms but do not prevent initial infection, highlighting the need for novel treatments. My project aimed to identify small molecules that could prevent HSV-1 entry into target cells by interfering with the interaction between viral glycoprotein gD and its receptor, nectin-1. We identified small molecules from a ZINC lead-like database using the glide docking program that predicts binding to a functional site on HSV gD. In this study, I used small molecules with high binding affinity to gD to compete with nectin-1 during HSV-1 infection in human cell cultures. I assessed drug toxicity in HeLa and oral fibroblast and employed a plaque reduction assay to determine the effective drug concentrations that prevent infection.
- Presented research findings at academic conferences, effectively communicating complex concepts to diverse audiences.
- Gained valuable hands-on experience by conducting experiments under the guidance of expert faculty mentors, increasing technical skillset in various methodologies.
- Developed strong problem-solving abilities by tackling complex research questions and challenges.
Education
Ph.D. - Biomedical Sciences
Penn State College of Medicine
Hershey, PA05.2028
Master of Science - Biology
Towson University
Baltimore, MD05.2023
Bachelor of Arts - Biology
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ05.2023
Associate of Science - Biology
Cumberland County College
Vineland, NJ05.2019
Skills
- Project management
- Academic research
- Research design
- Research and analysis
- Presentation development
- Scientific communication
- Problem-solving
- Data analysis
- Running experiments
- Quantitative and qualitative analysis
- Grant writing
- Data interpretation
- Data organization
- Conducting assays
- Research methodologies
- Lab safety procedures
- Laboratory operations
- Grant applications
- General Laboratory Techniques: Sterile technique; Biosafety level 2 procedures
- Mammalian Cell Cultures
- Virology assays
- Microbiology Assays
- Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QPCR), Lentiviral transduction; generationand validation of CRISPR/Cas9 knockout cell lines; genome-wide CRISPR screening; siRNA-mediated genesilencing
Accomplishments
- NCI Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (F31) Fellow 2026
- Director of Graduate student organization (G-RISE) 2026-2027
- Alumni Seminar, Biological Sciences, Rowan University
- Co-director of Graduate student organization (G-RISE) 2025-2026
- Brain Bee Planning Committee Co-Chair 2025
- GSA, Subcommittee Executive Member, Penn State College of Medicine 2024-2025
- Cultivating Students in Science (CUSP), Penn State College of Medicine 2024-2025
- Bridges to the Doctorate Scholar 2021-2023
- Beta Beta Beta Honor Society 2021
- Thomas N. Bantivoglio Honors Concentration 2019 - 2021
- NIH Bridges to the Baccalaureate Fellow 2018 - 2021
- Outstanding Student Leader (Cumberland County College) 2019
- Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (Cumberland County College)
Timeline
Graduate Research Assistant
Penn State College of Medicine -Dr. George-Lucian Moldovan
05.2024 - Current
Graduate Research Intern
University of Maryland School of Medicine
06.2022 - 08.2022
Graduate Research Assistant
Towson State University - Dr. Tsuji Diet and Cancer Laboratory
07.2021 - 05.2023
Undergraduate Research Student
Rowan University - Dr. CLAUDE KRUMMENACHER
07.2019 - 05.2021
Ph.D. - Biomedical Sciences
Penn State College of Medicine
Master of Science - Biology
Towson University
Bachelor of Arts - Biology
Rowan University
Associate of Science - Biology
Cumberland County College
Publications
1. Dhoonmoon, A., Ambrose, J.R., Garg, S., Lascarez-Espana, C., Rebok, A., Spratt, T.E., Moldovan, G. L., & Nicolae, C. M. (2025). Translesion-synthesis-mediated bypass of DNA lesions occurs predominantly behind replication forks restarted by PrimPol. Cell reports, 44(3), 115360. PMCID: PMC12051500.
2. Jessenia Chavez, Trevor Wolf, Cynthia Lascarez Espana, Zhuangzhuang Geng, Yen Teng Tai, Kathleen Bright, John Flanagan, George-Lucian Moldovan, James Stafford, Zhonghua Gao. The zinc-finger protein POGZ associates with Polycomb repressive complex 1 to regulate bone morphogenetic protein signaling during neuronal differentiation. Stem Cells Review and Reports