Justin Melendez
PhD In Genetics And Genomics
St Louis,MO
Summary
I am a PhD scientist with a history of developing new technologies in the biosciences. I am strongly motivated by scientific research with translational applications, and technological innovations that allow us to ask questions in ways that were previously unavailable. I would particularly like to work on a project involved in understanding the molecular basis of aging, or the development of RNAs as novel therapeutic agents.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
13
13
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Graduate Student
Washington University, Mitra
Saint Louis, MO
08.2013 - 09.2021
- Developed innovative surface chemistry to facilitate massively parallel, single molecule peptide sequencing in a microfluidic device.
- Worked on a genome wide Cas9-CRISPR forward genetic screen to determine genes involved in cell fate decisions of progenitor motor neuron cell types.
- Developed internal RNA identifier sequencing (IRIS), a synthetic construct, protocol and computational pipeline that uses trans-splicing to barcode endogenous RNAs and map them back to individual cells.
- Developed hnRNPA1 recruiting oligonucleotides (AROs), short RNA sequences capable of knocking down target transcript by recruiting the RNA binding protein hnRNPA1.
Research Specialist
Princeton University, McClean Lab
Princeton, NJ
11.2010 - 08.2012
- Created a closed loop microfluidic system to continuously sample from a chemostat. Built hardware and wrote software to communicate with our microscope to take fluorescent images and process them for data making it possible to implement feedback control for any given parameter (ex: nutrient addition, temp adjustment).
- Engineered a strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with a light based induction system using fusion proteins derived from Arabidopsis cryptochromes. The strain responds to 450 nm (blue) light and induces a fluorescently tagged protein of interest behind a synthetic ZIF268 promoter.
- Used the above cell line and chemostat sampling system to demonstrate to quantitative control over levels of a target protein within the cells via a computer controlled feedback system.
Associate Scientist
Phyton Biotech
Princeton, NJ
03.2005 - 09.2006
- Designed and executed small scale metabolic engineering and media optimization experiments, in an aseptic environment, on a variety of undifferentiated plant cell suspensions. Analyzed data from these experiments and used the results to set direction for downstream operations.
- Performed pilot scale growth and production experiments on cell suspensions of Taxus chinensus and used data to make reactor adjustments to achieve target product yields.
- Repaired and maintained pilot scale bioreactors and equipment; built new equipment and devices to suit the needs of the Pilot Plant’s operations.
- Contributed to the planning and direction of Pilot Plant operations and developed enhanced SOPs that improved aseptic technique, increased data organization and reduced the incidence of reactor contamination.
- Performed a variety of laboratory techniques including HPLC, gas chromatography, microscopy, and media design and preparation.
Education
Ph.D. - Genetics And Genomics
Washington University in St Louis
St Louis, MO 09.2012 - 09.2021
Bachelor of Science - Microbiology; Biotechnology And Bioengineering
Cornell University
Ithaca NY 09.2000 - 01.2005
Skills
Programming
Tissue Culture
Molecular Biology And Cloning
Next Generation Sequencing
Lentiviral Design And Production
Microfluidics
Fluorescent Microscopy
RT-PCR
Cas9 CRISPR Screening
Publications
- Melendez, Justin, Pal, Ananya, Puram, Sidharth, Mitra, Robi. "Single-stranded RNA oligonucleotides that recruit endogenous hnRNPA1 enable the targeted reduction of gene expression" Submitted to Biotechnology and Bioengineering. Preprint available: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.162612284.43980384/v1
- Jidapas (My) An-adirekkun, Cameron J. Stewart, Stephanie H. Geller, Michael T. Patel, Justin Melendez, Benjamin L. Oakes, Marcus B. Noyes, Megan N. McClean. 2019. “A yeast optogenetic toolkit (yOTK) for gene expression control in Saccharomyces cerevisiae” BioRx (June, 2019)
- Melendez, Justin, Michael Patel, Benjamin Oakes, Ping Xu, Patrick Morton, and Megan Nicole McClean. “Real-time Optogenetic Control of Intracellular Protein Concentration in Microbial Cell Cultures.” Integrative Biology (January 2014).
Grants and Awards
- Washington University's Genome Analysis Training Program (T32)
- NIH BRAIN Initiative Trainee Award
Talks And Presentations
- "Internal RNA Identifier Sequencing; A Low Cost, High-Throughput System For Single Cell RNAseq From Highly Heterogeneous Tissues" Justin Melendez, Robi Mitra. 2020 BRAIN Initiative Investigators Meeting (Talk).
- “A Cas9 Forward Genetic Screen To Identify Critical Genes In Neuronal Cell Fate Decisions In-Vitro” Justin Melendez, Sumithra Sankararaman, Monica Sentmanat, Shelly Sakiyama-Elbert, Robi Mitra. 2017 NHGRI Research Training and Career Development Annual Meeting (Poster).
- “Real-time light-driven temporal control of gene expression and protein concentration in S. cerevisiae.” Justin Melendez, Megan McClean. 2012 Yeast Genetics and Molecular Biology Meeting (Talk).
Patents And Technology Disclosures
- “Novel method for sequencing single peptide molecules” J. Melendez, T. Cohen, J. Havranek, B. Borgo. Technology disclosure, Washington University OTM
- “Optogenetic-Protein Induction System and Robotic Chemostat Analysis Device Used to Control Protein Levels Within a Population of Cells” J. Melendez; B. Oakes; MN McClean. US Patent Application 61/676,566
- “Locking device” J. Melendez, M. Shuster. US Patent Number 7,707,864
Volunteer Work
Fair Use Building and Research Labs Highland Park, NJ
2009 – 2010
Founding Member
- Taught science and technology classes, workshops and seminars (including programming and robotics).
- Established a permanent physical location in Highland Park, NJ for the technology center and workspace.
- Assisted in filing for non-profit incorporation and 501c3 status
Alley Pond Environmental Center Douglaston, NY
1996 – 2000
Head Volunteer/Staff
- Cared for the health, safety, and well being of a variety of animals; rehabilitated those suitable for release.
- Led education programs and parties. Guided parties, families and individuals on wetland trails.
- Helped maintain the building, grounds, exhibits and facilities of APEC, including over 30 acres of wetland trails. Aided in indoor and outdoor construction projects, including the construction and maintenance of bridges, docks, displays and overlooks.
Timeline
Graduate Student
Washington University, Mitra
08.2013 - 09.2021
Ph.D. - Genetics And Genomics
Washington University in St Louis
09.2012 - 09.2021
Research Specialist
Princeton University, McClean Lab
11.2010 - 08.2012
Associate Scientist
Phyton Biotech
03.2005 - 09.2006
Bachelor of Science - Microbiology; Biotechnology And Bioengineering
Cornell University
09.2000 - 01.2005