Emily Atwood

Current Research:

Dr. Timothy Chan Laboratory in the Center for Immunotherapy and Immuno-Precision Oncology at Cleveland Clinic.

Investigating:

• HER2-Mediated Immunoregulation and Therapy Resistance in Glioblastoma.
• Trop-2 Mediated Immune Microenvironment in Anaplastic Thyroid and Bladder Carcinoma.
• PTPRD in L858R EGFR Mutant Lung Carcinoma.

Rotations:

Dr. Justin Lathia and Dr. Christine O'Connor

Investigated:

The Role of CMV and Astrocyte Regulation of GBM Microenviorment.

Awards:

• NIH T32 Grant Award Recipient.
• Learner Research Institute Graduate Student of Excellence Award Nominee 2024.

Presentations and Outreach:

• Featured Speaker at CCF Pathology Institute for Laboratory Professional Week. "Understanding the Role of Cytomegalovirus in Glioblastoma: The Importance of Detection"
• Featured Panelist for Cleveland Clinic's RETC Graduate and Medical Admissions Student Seminar Series.
• Member of the CITI Engagement Committee aiding in event planning management for the CITI Department.
• Student Interviewer for prospective candidates in the CCF Molecular Medicine PhD Program.
• Mentor for Prospective Students in Research through Grove City College Mentor Connect.

Executed feasibility testing, development, validation, equivalency, and other necessary items for the successful creation and implementation of the following currently available Cleveland Clinic laboratory tests, methodology, or system:

Test/System implementation also requires an assortment of other developments including workflow design, a strict quality control process, and construction of laboratory information systems. Following this with the authorship of submitted standard operating procedures, development of training materials, and presentations for testing team implementation.

• Orthopoxvirus (includes Monkeypox) PCR identification.
• Sars-CoV-2 Next Generation Sequencing data analytics and RNA extraction/purification process.
• Quantitative PCR Viral Load Testing including Cytomegalovirus, Hepatitis A and B, HIV, BK Virus, and Epstein Barr Virus. This decrease in time from collection, to result, were essential to improving our nationally ranked transplant process.
• SelfCheck® Saline and Universal Transport Media Covid and Covid Flu A/B combination test. This allowed patients to collect their own tests Nasal Pharyngeal Swab and still receive a PCR test.
• Covid/Influenza A/Influenza B combination clinician collect PCR identification test.
• Hamilton and KingFisher DNA/RNA Extraction and Purification Process.
• Epic Universal Charting Systems Laboratory Application Beaker

Regulatory:

• Monthly quality control report generation and review for quantitative and qualitative assays.
• Monthly Documentation review.
• Prepared and participated in two successful College of American Pathology inspections.
• Monthly Positivity Rate Monitoring.
• Competency Assessment and Documentation.
• Daily Team Huddle Presentations and Reviews.

Outreach:

As requested by alma mater, Grove City College, hosted presentations to increase awareness of career and research opportunities available in laboratory medicine at CCF.

• Proficient on Magna Pure, Hamilton, and King Fisher methods for nucleotide extraction and purification, Taqpath PCR identification, and Hologic Panther and Cobas 6800/8800 automated platforms.
• Conducted large scale quality control analysis and corrective action for Sars-CoV-2 manual PCR identification methods.
• Began Epic's Laboratory System "Beaker" implementation. Designed training guides and documents that were distributed to the entire laboratory institute.
• Set and oversaw quality assurance guidelines for laboratory work.
• Supported laboratory staff with advanced troubleshooting, resolving complex problems, and helping with special projects.

• CPhT certified under the Ohio Board of Pharmacy .
• Communicated with healthcare providers, insurance companies, and patients in person, and via phone.
• Properly filled and assured accuracy on an average of 500 to 800 prescriptions per day.
• Made requisition for drugs and supplies.

• Assisted students in completing assignments, labs, and exam preparation, with an adaptive learning approach.

• Performed genome editing and testing on Bacillus anthracis by transformation into Escherichia coli and vector cloning
• Learned corresponding methodology and performance of nucleotide extraction, PCR amplification and interpretation, vector cloning, transformation, electrophoresis, plating, and sequencing.

• Performed the cell counting, staining, media preparation, and data collection required to analyze effectiveness of a antineoplastic agent.

• Prepping lab materials, effectively communicating instructions, answering questions, grading lab reports, and assisting any other need to provide the best learning environment for students.

• Volunteer work in the inpatient pediatric wards, performing various tasks given by doctors and nurses.
• These tasks included the following: emotional and metal support for the children and the parents, developmental enhancing activities, distraction methods from various medical procedures, and any other effort necessary to improve the parent and child's stay at the institution.