Luke Christiansen
Eagle Mountain,UT
Summary
Results-oriented scientist with an affinity for problem-solving and team building. Experienced with biochemistry and molecular biology techniques, as well as in vivo models, within the oncology industry. At Sumitomo Pharma Oncology, I advanced a program from the discovery to translational stage by performing high-throughput drug screens in human cancer cell lines and investigating PD movement in vivo. My doctoral research was focused on characterizing an epigenetic regulator as a target in acute myeloid leukemia using pre-clinical humanized mouse models and human patient cells.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Research Scientist I
Sumitomo Pharma Oncology
2022.05 - 2023.06
Performed research in the early Drug Discovery process with small molecules, Molecular Glues and PROTACs in cancer cell lines and mouse models.
- Validated target and cancer indication for several programs.
- Screened small molecules and degraders for targets using a variety of methods, such as high-throughput screening, Luminex assays, western blot, ELISA, and cell viability.
- Led collaborations with CROs.
- Investigated pharmacodynamic markers in mouse models.
Graduate Research Assistant
Versiti Blood Research Institute
2017.05 - 2022.04
Studied the epigenetic regulation of malignant hematopoiesis in pre-clinical humanized mouse models and human patient samples.
- Proficient in CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing of mouse and human leukemia cells using retro and lentiviruses.
- Collaborated with investigators inside and outside the institution to improve and execute pre-clinical leukemia experiments.
- Directed rotation graduate students and undergraduate students in performing experiments.
- Extraordinary time and workload management skills as shown by a publication on malignant hematopoiesis within 2 years of joining the lab.
Education
Ph.D. - Cell Biology
Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, WI03.2022
Bachelor of Science - Biology
University of Wisconsin - Parkside
Kenosha, WI12.2015
Skills
- Flow cytometry and cell sorting
- CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing
- Patient-derived xenograft (PDX)
- Work in BSL-2 (work with primary cells, cell lines and lentiviruses) Cell line-derived xenograft (CDX)
- Next-generation sequencing (NGS)
- High-throughput drug screening and automation
- Luminex (Quantigene and MilliPLEX)
- PCR and qRT-PCR
- Assay development, including reporter assays
- Western Blot and ELISA
- GraphPad Prism and Microsoft Office
- Collaboration with CROs
- R (Programming Language)
Publications
Izaguirre-Carbonell, J.*, Christiansen, L.*, Burns, R., Schmitz, J., Li, C., Mokry, R. L., Bluemn, T., Zheng, Y., Shen, J., Carlson, K. S., Rao, S., Wang, D., & Zhu, N. (2019). Critical role of Jumonji domain of JMJD1C in MLL-rearranged leukemia. Blood advances, 3(9), 1499–1511.
Bluemn, T., Schmitz, J., Chen, Y., Zheng, Y., Zhang, Y., Zheng, S., Burns, R., DeJong, J., Christiansen, L., Izaguirre-Carbonell, J., Wang, D., & Zhu, N. (2021). Arid2 regulates hematopoietic stem cell differentiation in normal hematopoiesis. Experimental hematology, 94, 37–46.
Bluemn, T., Schmitz, J., Zheng, Y., Burns, R., Zheng, S., DeJong, J., Christiansen, L., Arnold, O., Izaguirre-Carbonell, J., Wang, D., Deshpande, A. J., & Zhu, N. (2022). Differential roles of BAF and PBAF subunits, Arid1b and Arid2, in MLL-AF9 leukemogenesis. Leukemia.
Manuscripts in progress
Christiansen L*., Arnold O*., Zheng Y., Burns R., Izaguirre-Carbonell J., Bluemn T., Carroll M., Wunderlich M., Zhu N.: JMJD1C, a histone demethylase, is required for Human MLL-AF9 Leukemia. (Submission expected Fall 2023)
*Indicates both authors contributed equally
Volunteering
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society 10/2022
Assisted with the survivor tent at the Light the Night event for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
The American Cancer Society 2011-2021
Volunteer in Relay for Life events to help fundraising for The American Cancer Society.
Timeline
Research Scientist I
Sumitomo Pharma Oncology
2022.05 - 2023.06
Graduate Research Assistant
Versiti Blood Research Institute
2017.05 - 2022.04
Ph.D. - Cell Biology
Medical College of Wisconsin
Bachelor of Science - Biology
University of Wisconsin - Parkside
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