Diana Alzamareh

• Developed and optimized experimental protocols, executed laboratory experiments, and troubleshooted procedures as needed
• Analyzed results, prepared graphs and figures for presentations and publications, and presented data at meetings
• Assisted with lab management tasks, including ordering supplies, overseeing equipment maintenance and training new lab members

Key accomplishments:

• Experimentally demonstrated the effects of type I and type III interferons (IFN) on B cells
• Characterized bone marrow (BM) plasma cells (PC) in SLE patients and healthy controls
• Brought new techniques, including the implementation of CRISPR-Cas9 technology, achieving a 99% knockout efficiency in MM.1s cell line

Key techniques:

Cell isolation and culture; DNA and RNA extraction; quantitative RT-PCR; nucleic acid electrophoresis; western blotting; ELISA; ELISpot; flow cytometry; and CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing

• Assisted with daily receipt of specimen packages
• Examined received specimens and requisitions, documented discrepancies, and initiated action items
• Interpreted laboratory requisitions as requested, accurately entered patient demographic and test information into a laboratory management system, ordered required tests, and distributed specimens appropriately

• Determined optimal conditions for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) microscopy of live zebrafish
• Redesigned scanning chamber to maintain proper level of solution throughout scanning procedure
• Examined texture of kidneys in wild-type (WT) and PKD2 mutant fish from collected scans, measured total kidney volumes, and analyzed data using Excel and Analyze software

Key accomplishments:

• Increased zebrafish survival rate, enhancing their reliability as a model for monitoring the progression of polycystic kidney disease (PKD)
• Selected to attend and present my poster at the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) Kidney Week, 2019

Key techniques:

Animal handling, and NMR

• Utilized laboratory instrumentation to measure CBC, CMP, LP, and TSH levels in blood samples
• Entered patient information into an electronic database and notified the healthcare team of record deficiencies
• Assisted with ongoing clinical research projects and shadowed doctors and researchers at patient meetings