Taylor McDonald
Summary
A focused, forward-thinking NIH OITE-PEP postbac researcher dedicated to improving outcomes for cancer patients and promoting equitable access to healthcare through a career as a physician-scientist. Currently conducting research in the molecular biology of CNS tumors with future intentions of furthering this study in medical school.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Postbac Researcher
NIH Surgical Neurology Branch
Bethesda, MD
01.2024 - Current
- Participated in preclinical research aimed at modulating blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity in malignant gliomas.
- Performed literature reviews and synthesized research concerning the molecular biology of pediatric diffuse hemispheric glioma.
Postbac Researcher
NIH Neuro-Oncology Branch
Bethesda, MD
07.2023 - 12.2023
- Performed immunofluorescence assays and confocal imaging to characterize neuronal infiltration in GBM mouse models.
- Contributed to generating and executing a 30-color spectral flow cytometry panel to analyze immune markers in GBM tumor models.
- Gained proficiency in mouse handling and maintenance of study mice.
- Contributed to developing a preclinical mouse study.
- Conducted literature reviews of relevant studies related to neuro-oncology and cancer immunology research topics.
Undergraduate Researcher
Ihrie Laboratory
Nashville, TN
06.2021 - 05.2023
- Recapitulated patient GBM prognostic phenotypes in glioma stem cell lines.
- Implemented dimensionality reduction techniques to analyze 30-channel mass cytometry data.
- Performed immunofluorescence on GBM cell cultures.
- Imaged IF stains using epifluorescence and confocal microscopy.
- Prepared microscopic slides of tissue, including: fixation, embedding, microtomy, and slide mounting.
- Maintained GSC cultures.
- Curated R-based models to predict and measure continuous variables related to tumor growth.
Undergraduate Researcher
Kang Laboratory
Nashville, TN
01.2020 - 05.2021
- Conducted extensive lab work to examine human and mouse cortical tissue through microscopy and cell-based GABA assays.
- Performed various analytical tests, such as: western blots, gene panels, immunohistochemistry.
- Directed IPSC differentiation to neuronal and glial cells.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Neuroscience with Highest Honors
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN05.2023
Bachelor of Arts - Medicine, Health And Society
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN05.2023
Research Presentations
- Oct. 2024: McDonald, et al. 2024 Children’s Brain Tumor Network (CBTN) Summit, Poster Presentation
- Sept. 2024: McDonald, et al. 2024 NINDS Intramural Scientific Retreat, Poster Presentation
- May 2024: McDonald, et al. What about G34R/V Mutated Gliomas? Challenges and Opportunities, Poster Presentation
- April 2024: McDonald, et al. NIH Postbaccalaureate Poster Day 2024, Poster Presentation
- Nov. 2022: McDonald, et al. Society for Neuro-Oncology (SNO) Annual Meeting 2022, Poster Presentation
- Nov. 2022: McDonald, et al. Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists (ABRCMS), Poster Presentation
- Nov. 2021: McDonald, et al. Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists (ABRCMS), Poster Presentation
- Oct. 2021: McDonald, et al. Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) Conference, Poster Presentation
- Aug. 2021: McDonald, et al. VSSA 18th Annual Student Research Symposium, Poster Presentation
Research Publications
- 2024: Kayen Tang, Melissa Cesaire, Taylor McDonald, Maria G. Castro, Sadhana Jackson. A scoping review of histone 3.3 G34R/V high-grade glioma: epigenetic and molecular profiles, clinicopathology, and treatment avenues, Neuro-oncology, Submitted May 2024.
- 2022: McDonald, T., Chotai, S., Bartkowiak, T., Medina, S., Hayes, M., Brockman, A., Mobley, B., Sills, A., Morone, P., Thompson, R., Chambless, L., Irish, J., & Ihrie, R. (2022, November). Establishing in vitro models to recapitulate protein-level prognostic cell phenotypes from primary human glioblastoma. Neuro-Oncology, 24(7), vii292.
Honors
- July 2023 - Present: NIH OITE-PEP Scholar
- Jun. 2021 - May 2023: NIH MARC Scholar, T34GM136451
- Jan. 2021 - May 2023: Inducted Member, National Society of Collegiate Scholars
- Jan. 2021 - May 2023: Inducted Member, National Society of Leadership and Success
Affiliations
- January 2022 - January 2024: Medical Shadow, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, National Institutes of Health
- January 2023 - May 2023: Neuroscience Teaching Assistant, Vanderbilt University
- Aug. 2022 - May 2023: Spanish Interpreter, Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center
- Dec. 2021 - May 2023: Science and Spanish Tutor, CovED
- Nov. 2021 - May 2023: Guest Experience Patient Visitor, Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital
- Aug. 2020 - May 2023: President and Founder, Minority Women in STEM
- Aug. 2020 - May 2023: Community Outreach Officer, Hearts for the Homeless
- March 2022: Medical Service Trip Volunteer, Global Brigades Honduras
- Feb. 2021 - May 2022: Team Leader, Vanderbilt Student Volunteers for Science
Websites
Timeline
Postbac Researcher
NIH Surgical Neurology Branch
01.2024 - Current
Postbac Researcher
NIH Neuro-Oncology Branch
07.2023 - 12.2023
Undergraduate Researcher
Ihrie Laboratory
06.2021 - 05.2023
Undergraduate Researcher
Kang Laboratory
01.2020 - 05.2021
Bachelor of Arts - Neuroscience with Highest Honors
Vanderbilt University
Bachelor of Arts - Medicine, Health And Society
Vanderbilt University
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