B.S. Botany, YunNan University, 1994
Started in Hirschi lab: September 2004
My goals of the 2010 project are: 1) isolation of novel calcium exchangers from Arabidopsis thaliana; 2) studying the cellular localization and expression of those calcium exchangers in plant and in yeast by GUS and GFP fusion technique; 3) studying the function of calcium exchanger proteins utilizing mutant plant generated from Arabidopsis T-DNA insertion lines.
I started working in Dr. Hirschi's laboratory with several small projects. The projects that are directly related to 2010 are: 1) the study of the AtCAX4 temporal expression pattern at early embryo development stage (post-germinate 2 to 10 days) and the AtCAX4 tissue specific expression by CAX4: GUS fusion; 2) Studying the regulation of CAX1 activity at transcription and post translation level.
I am also interested in the CAX2-like gene which was isolated from a Thlaspi species, a heavy metal hyperaccumulating plant species, by using a yeast model system.
Potentially, I am going to work on CAX8 and CAX10 genes.
B.S. Food Technology, Texas Tech University,
1999
M.S. Food Technology, Texas Tech University,
2001
Started in Hirschi lab: January 2002
I am working on my PhD in Molecular and Environmental Plant Science at Texas A&M. I am working on several projects in the lab, including looking at Arabidopsis mutants for alterations in CAX expression. As an undergrad, I did research on the thermal stability of quercetin (a compound found in onions) and its different glycosides. My Master's research entailed understanding the changes in nutritional content of onions grown hydroponically in greenhouses and in growth chambers, as model systems for growth of plants in space for food, water and oxygen.
B.S. Agriculture, Allahabad Agricultural Institute, India, 2003
M.S. Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, India, 2005
Started in Hirschi lab: August 2007
I am working towards my PhD in Molecular and Environmental Plant Science (MEPS) at Texas A&M University, College Station. I have just started with several small projects that would help me achieve my ultimate goal. This includes looking at the expression level of CAX1 and CAX4 mutants in Arabidopsis plant, identifying and characterizing factors that specifically interact with Kap95 and their roles in Nuclear Pore Complex formation by using yeast as a model organism. In addition to these, I’m also involved with isolation and characterization of yeast mutant genes that perturb Nuclear Pore complex assembly. My master’s research was based on Thalassaemia that included screening of b-thalassaemia and finding Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP).
B.S. Biology, Northwestern State University of Louisiana http://www.nsula.edu/
B.S. Mathmeatics, Northwestern State University of Louisiana http://www.nsula.edu/
Started in Hirschi Lab: Winter 2008
I am a recent graduate from Northwestern State University of Louisiana where I graduated with a BS in Biology and a BS in Mathematics. I am currently attending Baylor College of Medicine as a part of the Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program. I will be working in Dr. Hirschi’s lab for my third term rotation where I look forward to expanding my knowledge on Arabidopsis and yeast models.
B.S. Cell and Molecular Biology, Universidad Metropolitana (UMET), 2007 http://www.unimet.edu.ve/
Started in Hirschi Lab: Winter 2008
While in high school I participated in the Saturday school research activities in UMET. As an undergraduate student I conducted research in the Chemical, Environmental and Molecular Toxicology lab under the mentoring of Dr. Beatriz Zayas. The main objective of my research project was to evaluate the potential DNA binding capacity and mutational activity of several novel bioreductive anticancer drug candidates (known as NBQ’s). I was also part of two summer internships (2005 and 2006) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where we studied cellular responses to DNA-damaging agents, DNA structural damage removal by cell repair mechanisms and potential mechanisms of antitumor drugs under the direction of Dr. John Essigmann. Currently, I am a Baylor College of Medicine graduate student in the Cell and Molecular Biology Interdepartmental Program. I am in awe with all the possibilities, directions and types of research there are. At the moment, I aim to apply all the skills I obtain from my lab rotations and courses to the dissertation project I end-up conducting.
Major: Psychology, University of Houston
Started in Hirschi Lab: Fall 2007
I am a recent graduate of the University of Houston with a BS in Psychology and a Biology minor. I plan on furthering my education and working in the lab for the next few years. I hope that this opportunity to work in the lab will be beneficial to myself and others.
Major: Microbiology, Houston Community College
Started in Hirschi lab: January 2005
I am currently in my second year attending Houston Community College. My goal is to major in microbiology and then attend medical school. I mostly like to hang out with my friends and play just about any sport that comes up. I plan to work in the lab until I graduate, so I look forward to helping the lab technicians for a few years.
Major: Finance, University of Houston
Started in Hirschi Lab: Fall 2005
My name is Kenneth Robinson. I work as a project intern at CNRC. I am majoring in finance at the University of Houston, and even though this job has little to do with my major I am still grateful for the opportunity to work in a lab. I have learned that not all scientists wear glasses and the world is no longer flat.