PEARL JAMES

• Effects of a class IIa histone deacetylase inhibitor on locomotor activity and anxiety-like behavior in male and female rats, The Michigan Chapter of the Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting (MISFN), 2019, Kalamazoo, MI
• Novel role of CD2 in iNKT-cell mediated allergic response during asthma, West Michigan Regional Undergraduate Science (WMRUGS) Research Conference, 2016, Grand Rapids, MI
• The adaptor protein ADAP regulates invariant natural killer T cell functions, West Michigan Regional Undergraduate Science (WMRUGS) Research Conference, 2016, Grand Rapids, MI
• Novel therapeutic intervention to modulate allergen-induced iNKT cell-mediated immune response in asthma, West Michigan Regional Undergraduate Science (WMRUGS) Research Conference, 2016, Grand Rapids, MI

• CS Mott Children’s Hospital, University of Michigan, 05/2017 - 08/2017, Ann Arbor, MI, Volunteered in the pediatric radiology and imaging unit at Mott’s Children Hospital. Duties included engaging patients in arts/crafts, reading to patients, and conducting various games.
• Service Trip, Environmental Global Brigades, 05/2017, Emberá Peru, Panama, Provided renewable resources such as solar panels, chicken coops, and plantain crops to empower members in rural communities. Implemented interactive workshops to educate families of long-term behavioral changes that could further improve their community and environment.
• Crew Member, Summer in the City Detroit, 06/2015 - 08/2015, Southwest Detroit, MI, Provided leadership towards high school volunteers. Established strong communication when engaging with elementary schooled children. Planned for activities, field trips, arts/crafts and various games.
• Shadowing Experience, Promedica Herrick Medical Center, 05/2015 - 08/2015, Tecumseh, MI, Shadowed Psychiatrists at Herrick Medical Center. Observed interactions between various patients and their physicians.
• Shadowing Experience, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, 06/2014 - 08/2014, Ann Arbor, MI, Shadowed Dr. Litow at Ann Arbor Veterans Affair Hospital. Observed mental disorders among army veterans and the physician-patient interaction.

Sigma Alpha Pi, 08/2017 - Present, East Lansing, MI, Inducted member of National Society of Leadership and Success focusing on leadership, goal fulfillment and community involvement.

• Secretary of Environmental Brigades-MSU Chapter, East Lansing, MI, 09/2016 - 05/2017, Planned for bimonthly meetings, maintained attendance, and overlooked organizational activities for global brigades’ service trip to Panama.
• Youth Ministry Leader, Assembly of God Church, 06/2014 - 08/2015, Ann Arbor, MI, Mentored, provided leadership and supported middle and high school aged teens. Facilitated team building and social interactions. Conducted weekly games, programs and community service.

• Wayne State University Dept. of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, 10/2018 - 06/2019, Detroit, MI, Worked as a graduate research assistant in Dr. Shane Perrine’s lab. Studied the role of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors on anxiety like behaviors in rats. Assisted medical and post doctoral researchers with their projects, attended weekly lab meetings and collected data.
• Michigan State University Dept. of Physiology, 05/2016 - 12/2016, East Lansing, MI, Worked as an undergraduate research assistant in Dr. Rupali Das’ Immunology lab. Studied the role of invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells and their therapeutic benefits towards cancer. Acquired skills include gel electrophoresis, Polymerase Chain Reaction, DNA extraction, RNA extraction, RT-PCR, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), cell culture, hemocytometer cell counting, cell isolation of murine hepatocytes, thymocytes and spleenocytes.