The diversity of my previous research experiences and strong biology background perfectly position me to answer complex, interdisciplinary research questions. As an undergraduate at Linfield University, I worked on projects in chemistry, material science, and molecular biology. Then, as a research technician at Oregon Health and Sciences University, I investigated cellular mechanisms of cancer metastasis. Finally, as a Ph.D. student at the University of Colorado Boulder I worked at the intersection of computational biology and behavioral neuroscience to explore how spousal loss alters the transcriptional landscape of a reward brain region, the Nucleus Accumbens. From my academic experience I have gained numerous molecular, cellular, behavioral, and computational skills that make me well suited for a variety of positions.
2022 – Present
Oligodendrocyte regulation of adapting to partner loss in the socially monogamous prairie vole
Post-doctoral scholar, University of Colorado Boulder
Advisor: Dr. Zoe Donaldson, Ph.D.
My current work aims to delineate the role of oligodendrocytes in pair bonding and partner loss in male prairie voles. My thesis research indicated that new oligodendrocytes are made during pair bonding and are disrupted following partner loss. I am performing a high-throughput immunoflouresence co-localization to validate if oligodendrocytes are made during pair bonding and how their maturation state progresses dependent on social context.
2016 – 2022
Behavioral and neuromolecular signatures of pair bonding and partner loss in the socially monogamous prairie vole
Ph.D. candidate, University of Colorado Boulder
Advisor: Dr. Zoe Donaldson, Ph.D.
In my PhD, I used prairie voles, a rodent species that forms pair bonds akin to human romantic relationships, to understand the neurobiological underpinnings of pair bonding and adapting to loss. Prairie voles offer us a unique opportunity to study profoundly human experiences because the biology underlying their social behaviors closely mimics humans. Using RNA sequencing of brain tissue in voles, I found that pair bonding establishes a specific transcriptional signature that erodes if partners are separated. Additionally, I pioneered neurogenetic, virally delivered tools in prairie voles to assess specifically the neuronal transcriptional response to loss.
2014 – 2016
Tks5 and invadopodia in cancer cell invasion and metastasis in vitro and in vivo
Research Assistant II, Oregon Health & Science University
Advisor: Dr. Sara Courtneidge, Ph.D., D.Sc.
Assisted in the development and validation of a novel monoclonal rabbit antibody that specifically recognizes the PX domain of the adaptor protein, Tks5α. Used RNAi cancer cell lines to determine the effects of invadopodia formation and cell migration in 2D and 3D culture. Assisted in the breeding, maintenance, and genotyping of multiple breast cancer and melanoma model mouse lines. Preformed general lab maintenance as well as experiments and trained summer interns, undergraduates, and new employees.
2013 – 2014
Investigating the mechanism of miRNA gene silencing using Drosophila melanogaster
Student Research Assistant, Linfield University
Advisor: Dr. Catherine Reinke, Ph.D.
I used gene mapping and molecular biology techniques in randomly induced mutation fly lines to screen for the location of mutations that cause defects in gene silencing.
2013 – 2014
Synthesis of functionalized alumina aerogels for ambient air carbon dioxide
Student Research Assistant, Linfield University
Advisor: Dr. Elizabeth J. O. Atkinson, Ph.D.
Independent research project optimizing the synthesis of alumina oxide sol-gels.
Julie Sadino 