MCKENNA WILLIAMSON
Pismo Beach,CA
Summary
Current graduate student and prior research associate with two years of experience in muscular dystrophy gene therapy, specializing in neurodegenerative disorders. Skilled in cross-functional collaboration, adhering to FDA guidelines, and contributing to cutting-edge therapeutic advancements. Eager to leverage my expertise in gene therapy and regulatory compliance to gain hands-on experience in ex vivo cell therapy, particularly within process development and product research.
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
Work History
Graduate Student Researcher
California Polytechnic State University
San Luis Obispo, USA
11.2024 - Current
- In vivo research student in the Microcirculation and Vascular Regeneration Lab, under the leadership of Trevor Cardinal, contributing to advanced vascular research projects.
- Optimizing tissue collection, processing, histological analysis, and imaging techniques to assess morphological changes in vascular tissues.
- Conducting antibody staining and imaging for macrophage subtyping (M1 and M2), and quantification in femoral artery-ligated limbs, compared to non-operated controls, supports critical research on vascular regeneration.
Research Associate I
Sarepta Therapeutics
Columbus, USA
08.2022 - 07.2024
- Executed a range of routine laboratory tasks utilizing various assay formats, including nucleic acid and protein purification, Western blot, ddPCR, RT-ddPCR, and ultramicrotome sectioning.
- Maintained a clean and safe working environment, ensuring strict adherence to GCP, GLP, and GDP guidelines.
- Worked on optimizing the automated DNA/RNA isolation process with the Kingfisher.
- Worked on a neurodegenerative disorder-focused team and helped coordinate two studies by keeping track of all sample processing from in-life to downstream analyses.
- Optimized mouse tibial and sciatic nerve removal, as well as the resin embedding, sectioning, and staining process.
- Conducted in-life grip strength tests for a cohort of mice over the course of 40 weeks, and conducted data analysis through Prism.
- Collaborated cross-functionally with histology and vivarium teams to perform tissue processing and optimize in-life behavioral and physiological outcomes for all studies.
Undergraduate Student Researcher
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA
09.2021 - 06.2022
- I worked on the Elephant Seal Research team under Heather Liwanag.
- Utilized hands-on contact with the seal pups through weighing and tagging.
- Conducted population surveys by categorizing sex, ages, and total population counts on each beach.
- Awarded the COAST Research Grant to conduct my own male dominance ranking based on behavior with a graduate student in the lab.
Education
Master of Science (M.S.) - Biology
California Polytechnic State University
San Luis Obispo06.2026
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Animal Science
California Polytechnic State University
San Luis Obispo06.2022
Skills
- Tissue sectioning
- Molecular analyses
- Mouse work
- Necropsy
- Resin embedding
- GDP/GLP Lab Compliance
- Staining
- Scientific communication
- Equipment Optimization
- Form QC Evaluation
- Project Management
- Imaging
- Data analysis
- Cross-functional Collaboration
Affiliations
Teaching Associate | California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo 09/2024- Current
- Part-time lab lecturer for two sections of the course, delivering high-quality instruction and fostering student engagement
- Develop comprehensive lesson plans to guide students through experimental procedures and elucidate key concepts related to laboratory activities
- Collaborate effectively with faculty lecturers to ensure alignment and consistency in content delivery across lecture, lab, and grading components
Primary Trainer | Sarepta Therapeutics | 03/2023-07/2024
- Primary RNA isolation trainer for the Kingfisher machine
- Coordinated training schedules with other research associates to provide the team standardized training for the procedure
Other
Stanislaus 4H Camp Staff Member | 07/2024
Crisis Text Line Counselor Volunteer | 07/2023- 09/2024
Quality Analyst for Dairy Processing Center | 09/2020-09-2021
- Conducted cheese and ice cream product microbial testing
- Worked on manipulating formulation calculations for different products
WOW Orientation Leader | 03/2019-09/2019
Relevant Graduate Coursework
Tissue Engineering, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Principles of Stem Cell Biology, Cell Therapy, Flow Cytometry Lab, Bioinformatics, Neurology Seminar, Statistics, Communicating Biology to General Audiences
Relevant Undergraduate Coursework
Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology, General Chemistry 1, 2, and 3, Applied Statistics for Life Sciences, Anatomy and Physiology, Organic Chemistry, Genomics, Orientation to Biotechnology, Genetics, Introduction to Organismal Form and Function, General Psychology, Artificial Insemination and Embryo, Biotechnology, Social Psychology, Biopsychology, Biomedical Ethics, Chemistry of Drugs and Poisons, Immunology, Evolutionary Medicine
Timeline
Graduate Student Researcher
California Polytechnic State University
11.2024 - Current
Research Associate I
Sarepta Therapeutics
08.2022 - 07.2024
Undergraduate Student Researcher
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
09.2021 - 06.2022
Master of Science (M.S.) - Biology
California Polytechnic State University
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Animal Science
California Polytechnic State University
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