Leighton Hosea Duncan
Rockville,MD
Summary
Highly motivated Ph.D. candidate with 6+ years of academic research experience in Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology, specializing in Developmental and Cellular Neuroscience. Expertise in employing cutting-edge genomic technologies (single-cell RNA-seq, ATAC-seq, Spatial Transcriptomics) to investigate diverse tissue/cellular micro-environments to understand complex cellular processes such as fate determination, state transitions, and intercellular interactions.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Doctoral Researcher
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Baltimore, MD
08.2019 - Current
- Demonstrated expertise in advanced research techniques specific to cellular reprogramming and neural tissue anatomy.
- Utilized cutting-edge methodologies in molecular and cellular biology, encompassing single-cell and spatial transcriptomics.
- Performed advanced in vivo experiments such as rabbit retinal fibrotic models and investigations on mouse hypothalamus.
- Proficient in analyzing and interpreting diverse genomic datasets like RNA-seq, ATAC-seq, and Spatial Transcriptomics.
- Acquired advanced skills in dissecting cell fate, cellular states, and cell-cell communication networks within neural tissue microenvironments.
- Integrated RNA-seq and Xenium to enhance understanding of hypothalamus cellular and molecular landscapes.
- Constructed comprehensive spatial atlas of the aging hypothalamus.
Research Scientist
Yale University School of Medicine
New Haven, CT
11.2017 - 08.2019
- Developed and executed innovative research techniques to investigate the development of the nervous system in C. elegans.
- Applied my expertise in advanced imaging technologies, notably light-sheet microscopy, to accurately capture and analyze the spatial arrangement and morphology of cells throughout their growth process.
- Played an integral role in the development and reconstruction of a 3D neurodevelopment atlas by utilizing deconvolved light-sheet images.
- Assisted in the improvement of image resolution and microscope performance through collaboration with researchers.
- Published experimental and research findings in scientific publications and journals.
Graduate Student Researcher
Central Connecticut State University
New Britain, CT
01.2015 - 04.2017
- Studied dopamine modulation of neuron excitability in C. elegans.
- Designed and tested Gateway-compatible vectors for rapid construction of single-cell knockdown transgenes.
- Gained experience in pharmacogenomics and advanced genetics.
- Developed CRISPR/Cas9 knockout C. elegans strains.
- Presented findings at scientific conferences.
Education
Master of Arts - Biomolecular Sciences
Central Connecticut State University
New Britain, CT04-2018
Bachelor of Science - Biology
Southern Connecticut State University
New Haven, CT05-2014
Ph.D. - Biochemistry, Cellular, And Molecular Biology
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MDSkills
- Single-cell RNA-seq analyses
- ATAC-seq analyses
- RNA & ATAC library Prep
- R programming/scripting
- Xenium Spatial Transcriptomics
- Data Analyses
- Confocal & Light-sheet Microscopy
- High-Plex / Multicolor Imaging
- Image analysis with Qupath, FIJI, Napari etc
- Integration of Spatial transcriptomics with IF images
- FACS
- Proficient in mouse handling
- Mouse Tissue Processing
- Neuroanatomy & Tissue Phenotyping
- Histology
- Immunofluorescence staining
- Mammalian Cell Culture
- Molecular Cloning
- Assay Development
- Scientific Presentation
- Project Management
- Adenovirus Transduction
- Dual Luciferase Report Assay
- Team Collaboration
- Effective Multitasking
- Statistical Methodologies
- Cross-Functional Teamwork
- Interpretation of findings
- Critical Thinking
- Attention to Detail
- Strong Work Ethic
- Writing and Editing
- Experiment Design
- Project Planning and Implementation
- Knowledge Sharing
- Research proposals & manuscript writing
Accomplishments
- NIH Blueprint & BRAIN Initiative D-SPAN Award (F99NS135816-01), 09/2023-present
- NIH National Research Service Award F31 (1F31DK132944-01), 06/2022-09/2023
- Neuroscience Scholars Program, Society of 4. Neuroscience, 08/2021-08/2024
- NIH R24 Diversity Supplement (OD016474-05S), 03/2018-08/2019
Professional References
Dr. Seth Blackshaw (Ph.D Advisor)
Phone: +1(443)-287-5609
Email: sblack@jhmi.edu
Dr. Alex Kolodkin (Thesis Committee Member)
Phone: +1(410)-614-9499
Email: kolodkin@jhmi.edu
Dr. Jeremy Nathans (Thesis Committee Member)
Phone: +1(410)-955-4679
Email: jnathans@jhmi.edu
Dr. Dwight Bergles (Thesis Committee Member)
Phone:+1-(410)-955-6939
Email: dbergles@jhmi.edu
Dr. Robert Johnston (Thesis Committee Member)
Phone:+1-(410)-516-4954
Email: robertjohnston@jhu.edu
Timeline
Doctoral Researcher
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
08.2019 - Current
Research Scientist
Yale University School of Medicine
11.2017 - 08.2019
Graduate Student Researcher
Central Connecticut State University
01.2015 - 04.2017
Master of Arts - Biomolecular Sciences
Central Connecticut State University
Bachelor of Science - Biology
Southern Connecticut State University
Ph.D. - Biochemistry, Cellular, And Molecular Biology
Johns Hopkins University
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