Doctor of Philosophy in Biology

Advisor: Jan Skotheim

Thesis: Cell size-dependent gene expression and origins of scaling transcription.

Bachelor of Arts, Biology and Political Science

Cell size control and its functional implications

• Deployed modern omics technologies (RNAseq, SLAMseq, SILAC-TMT mass spectrometry) to develop model of coordination of biosynthesis with cell size
• Engineered cell lines with large CRISPR knock-in (~2.4kbp) of mRNA stem loop sequences to visualise transcription in real-time with high-throughput confocal microscopy
• Developed particle tracking algorithm to analyse single molecule microscopy data to understand gene expression changes with cell size
• Discovered lysosome dysfunction with increased cell size in the context of aging and senescence using functional inhibitor assays
• Communicated complex scientific research in two high-impact journals, a major national conference, and undergraduate courses recognised for excellence in teaching

Molecular basis of embryogenesis using human embryonic stem cells

• Applied cell substrates of varying stiffness to model cells in early human embryo
• Devised protocol to create early human spinal cord organoid in 3D culture

Cardiac development in tunicates in the context of asymmetric cell division

• Independently organised four research projects involving both wet bench and computational work
• Devised protocols to conduct quantitative image analysis from confocal microscopy on IMARIS and ImageJ

Bioinformatics: Sample preparation and data analysis for RNAseq, LC-MS/MS, pSILAC-TMT, and SLAMseq

Computation: Python pipelines for large-scale omics and object segmentation and tracking image analysis

Microscopy: High-throughput widefield and confocal microscopy

Cell engineering: CRISPR knock-in of large inserts (2.4kbp); lentivirus, electroporation and lipofection

Cell culture: Differentiation of hESCs into organoids. 6+ years of experience with variety of immortalised lines

Additional assays: Lysosome inhibitor drug assays; qPCR, flow cytometry and FACS

30-minute talk · international audience of ~100 scientists

Cell size increase leads to transcriptome remodelling

Speaker, "Building the Cell" subgroup · ~200 scientists · ASCB/EMBO

Cell size increase leads to transcriptome remodeling and lysosome vulnerability

15-minute talk · general scientific audience of ~50 people

Transcriptional control of proteome remodeling with cell size

Awarded to top teaching assistants for Biology courses

Explorations in Stem Cell Biology

Awarded to top teaching assistants for Biology courses

Introduction to Laboratory Research in Cell and Molecular Biology

• Organised and recruited speakers to foster intra-departmental collaboration
• Implemented departmental-wide feedback from various stakeholders to double participation
• Fostered community engagement by combining seminars with social events

Independent problem solving: Proven record of learning and applying new concepts and techniques in lab

Detailed organisation: Planned and executed numerous complicated, long-range experiments

Effective communication: Simplified complex concepts to diverse audience in written and spoken format

Community-focused: Cultivated community engagement and belonging through events organisation