Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Publications
Timeline
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Metadel F. Abegaz

Summary

Experienced researcher dedicated to innovative, dynamic and organized work. Successful at maintaining accuracy and productivity through long and short-term projects in collaborative and fast-paced environment. Seeking to transition into new field, bringing solid foundation in scientific research and problem-solving abilities.

Overview

9
9
years of professional experience

Work History

Senior Research Associate

Vicinitas Therapeutics
10.2022 - 01.2025
  • Role: Execute assays to determine optimal cell line for examining cellular response to various stimuli and inhibitors
  • Facilitated the use of diagnostic tools by testing, validating, and optimizing various molecular and cellular assays.
  • Generated and upload assay data and communicated results and reports to multi-disciplinary project teams to influence progression in discovery and development.
  • Developed and validated assays to support research goals.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to successfully meet project timelines and deliverables.
  • Enhanced project outcomes by collaborating with cross-functional teams to optimize study designs.
  • Achieved project objectives by troubleshooting experiments and testing practical and creative solutions.
  • Trained peers and colleagues on new protocols for assay validation.

Research Associate II

Pliant Therapeutics
02.2022 - 10.2022
  • Role: High throughput biochemical screening of compounds and assay development including the design and execution of protocols for new projects.
  • Monitored progress against project timelines, ensuring timely completion of deliverables while maintaining high-quality standards.
  • Generated, analyzed data and presented findings at lab and departmental meetings.
  • Collaborated across departments to meet weekly objectives.
  • Set up equipment, organized inventory and maintained facilities.
  • Kept detailed notes and document progress of project development.
  • Developed protocols to improve assay efficiency.
  • Trained and supervised new lab members on key HTS assays.

Research Associate I

Pliant Therapeutics
02.2020 - 02.2022

Research Associate

NASA-ARC
06.2018 - 01.2020
  • Role: Facilitated projects addressing the physiological consequences of microgravity and space radiation
  • Identified activation of inflammatory markers in cardiac tissue
  • Performed protein quantification assays
  • Maintained primary cell cultures
  • Executed statistical analysis on datasets
  • Produced publication-ready figures
  • Managed lab inventory orders and sample shipments

Graduate Research

SFSU EOS Center
08.2015 - 08.2018
  • Role: Proposed and executed an independent project exploring the consequences of crowding on reproductive physiology
  • Performed qPCR, ELISA, BCA assays and data analysis
  • Organized and scheduled fieldwork with collaborating labs
  • Presented findings at national conferences

Education

M.S. - Marine Science: Environmental Physiology

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA
08.2018

B.S. - Biology, Minor: Chemistry

University of Minnesota Duluth
Duluth, MN
05.2012

Skills

  • Detail-oriented
  • Time management
  • Data collection
  • Training and development
  • Deadline adherence
  • Research
  • Problem-solving

Publications

  • Tahimic CGT, Steczina S, Sebastian A, Hum NR, Abegaz M, Terada M, Cimini M, Goukassian DA, Schreurs A-S, Hoban-Higgins TM, et al. Simulated Microgravity Alters Gene Regulation Linked to Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease. Genes. 2024; 15(8):975. https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15080975
  • Lam, E. K., Abegaz, M., Gunderson, A. R., Tsukimura, B., & Stillman, J. H., Interactions Between Temperature Variability and Reproductive Physiology Across Traits in an Intertidal Crab., Frontiers in Physiology, 2022
  • Rubinstein L, Paul AM, Houseman C, Abegaz M, Tabares Ruiz S, O'Neil N, Kunis G, Ofir R, Cohen J, Ronca AE, Globus RK, Tahimic CGT, Placenta-Expanded Stromal Cell Therapy in a Rodent Model of Simulated Weightlessness., Cells, 04/19/21, 10, 4, 940, 10.3390/cells10040940, 33921854, PMC8073415
  • Axpe E, Chan D, Abegaz MF, Schreurs A-S, Alwood JS, Globus RK, et al., A human mission to Mars: Predicting the bone mineral density loss of astronauts., PLoS ONE, 2020, 15, 1, e0226434
  • Gunderson, A.R., M. Abegaz, A.Y. Ceja, E. Lam, B.F. Souther, K. Boyer, E. King, K.T. You Mak, B. Tsukimura, and J.H. Stillman., Hot rocks and not-so-hot rocks on the seashore: patterns and body-size dependent consequences of microclimatic variation in intertidal zone boulder habitat., Integrative Organismal Biology, 2019, 1, obz024

Timeline

Senior Research Associate

Vicinitas Therapeutics
10.2022 - 01.2025

Research Associate II

Pliant Therapeutics
02.2022 - 10.2022

Research Associate I

Pliant Therapeutics
02.2020 - 02.2022

Research Associate

NASA-ARC
06.2018 - 01.2020

Graduate Research

SFSU EOS Center
08.2015 - 08.2018

B.S. - Biology, Minor: Chemistry

University of Minnesota Duluth

M.S. - Marine Science: Environmental Physiology

San Francisco State University
Metadel F. Abegaz