CV in PDF Format | NIH Biosketch

Education

Ph.D. Candidate, Biomedical Sciences, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 2013 – Present

Dissertation Research: Seven-in-absentia (SINA) family E3 ligases in Drosophila development. Mentor: Dr. Amy H. Tang

B.S. Chemical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA May 2005

Senior Thesis “Combinatorial chemistry: developing an automated high throughput reaction screening system” Advisor: Dr. H. Mario Geysen

Research & Professional Experience

Graduate Research Assistant I (PhD Candidate)August 2013 – Present
Eastern Virginia Medical School • Biomedical Sciences PhD ProgramNorfolk, VA
Mentor: Dr. Amy H. Tang

• Performed Drosophila eye imaginal disc microdissection, immunofluorescent staining, and mounting for characterization of larval development
• Total RNA isolation, cDNA library preparation, gene amplification, and sequencing of 28 mutant Drosophila alleles
• Drosophila husbandry and genetic crosses
• Antibody array and flow cytometry (FACS) data processing
• Writing, revising, and editing of grant applications and scientific manuscripts for peer reviewed publications
• Mentored undergraduate and medical school student researchers in Drosophila microdissection techniques

Laboratory and Research Specialist ISeptember 2009 – August 2013
University of Virginia • Department of PathologyCharlottesville, VA
Mentor: Dr. Robin A. Felder, Associate Director of Clinical Chemistry, Professor of Pathology

• Developed a real-time spatio-temporal live cell assay using 8 different intracellular fluorescent biosensors
• Trained 6 employees and 15 undergraduate volunteers in basic cellular and molecular techniques
• Isolated and grew primary renal proximal tubule cells from fresh human kidney tissue, as well as characterized these cell lines using an Accuri C6 Flow Cytometer
• Grew and characterized human renal proximal tubules and adipose derived stem cells on a 3 dimensional regenerative medicine matrix
• Acquired Scanning Electron Micrograph (SEM) and Transmission Electron Micrograph (TEM) images of cells grown in a 3 dimensional polarized matrix
• Performed multiple protein biochemistry techniques, including protein isolation, Western Blot analysis, and kinase activity assays
• Implemented the use of a central repository of laboratory protocols and digital notebooks for better collaboration between lab members

Contract ResearcherNovember 2008 – June 2009
University of Virginia • Department of ChemistryCharlottesville, VA
Mentor: Dr. H. Mario Geysen, Alfred Burger Professor, Professor of Chemistry

• Constructed, calibrated, and tested an automated antibody spotting robot in a micro-array format for high-throughput ELISA screening
• Constructed, calibrated, and tested an automated imaging robot to aid in assay data collection
• Developed, constructed, and performed proof of concept experiments of a scalable fluidized bed robotic peptide synthesizer

Research ScientistMay 2006 – November 2008
Ethos PharmaceuticalsCharlottesville, VA

• Modified an Aaptec / Advanced ChemTech automated peptide synthesizer
• Developed a Visual Basic program to determine protease cleavage sites of various peptide sequences
• Constructed an internal database and catalog for compound registration, purchase orders, literature references and assay results

Research ScientistMay 2004 – May 2006
University of Virginia • Department of ChemistryCharlottesville, VA

• Characterized and optimized an automated, micro-volume, high throughput reaction screening system using Gilson liquid handling robotics
• Developed and calibrated multiple automated, micro-volume delivery systems for synthesis of peptide and small molecule libraries, utilizing InkJet Valves and capillary interaction properties of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) tubing
• Constructed an analytical system to enable real time monitoring of reaction kinetics

Teaching Experience

Lecturer, Introduction to Research Literature for EVMS Graduate Students2015
Course Director: Dr. Margaret MorrisEastern Virginia Medical School

Teaching Assistant, Medical Microbiology Lab for EVMS Medical Students2016
Course Director: Dr. Julie KerryEastern Virginia Medical School

Invited Seminar Presentations

Invited Speaker, EVMS Deans’ Hour2015
“Cornell Notes: The Analog App & Other Tools for Success”Eastern Virginia Medical School

Publications

Jananji S, Risi C, Lindamulage IK, Picard LP, Van Sciver R, Laflamme G, Albaghjati A, Hickson GR, Kwok BH, Galkin VE. Multimodal and polymorphic interactions between anillin and actin: Their implications for cytokinesis. J Mol Biol. 2017 Jan 29. pii: S0022-2836(17)30061-X.

Gildea JJ, Van Sciver RE, McGrath HE, Kemp BA, Jose PA, Carey RM, Felder RA. Dopaminergic immunofluorescence studies in kidney tissue. Methods Mol Biol. 2017;1527:151-161.

Van Sciver RE*, Njogu MM*, Isbell AJ, Odanga JJ, Bian M, Svyatova E, Siewertsz van Reesema LL, Zheleva V, Eisner JL, Bruflat JK, Schmidt RL, Tang-Tan AM, Tang AH. Blocking SIAH Proteolysis, an Important K-RAS Vulnerability, to Control and Eradicate K-RAS-Driven Metastatic Cancer. Conquering RAS: From Biology to Cancer Therapy. 2017;213-232.

Siewertsz van Reesema LL*, Zheleva V*, Winston JS*, Jansen RJ, O’Connor CF, Isbell AJ, Bian M, Qin R, Bassett PT, Hinson VJ, Dorsch KA, Kirby BW, Van Sciver RE, Tang-Tan AM, Harden EA, Chang DZ, Allen CA, Perry RR, Hoefer, RA, Tang AH. SIAH and EGFR, two RAS pathway biomarkers, are prognostic in locally advanced and metastatic breast cancer. EBioMedicine. 2016 Aug 14. pii: S2352-3964(16)30363-2.

Harris SP, Belknap B, Van Sciver RE, White HD, Galkin VE. C0 and C1 N-terminal Ig domains of myosin binding protein C exert different effects on thin filament activation. Proc Natl Acad Sci. 2016 Feb 9;113(6):1558-63.

Gildea JJ, Seaton JE, Victor KG, Reyes CM, Bigler Wang D, Pettigrew AC, Courtner CE, Shah N, Tran HT, Van Sciver RE, Carlson JM, Felder RA. Exosomal Transfer from Human Renal Proximal Tubule Cells to Distal Tubule and Collecting Duct Cells. Clin. Biochem. 2014;47(15):89-94.

Gildea JJ, Shah IT, Van Sciver RE, Israel JA, Enzensperger C, McGrath HE, Jose PA, Felder RA. The cooperative roles of the dopamine receptors, D1R and D5R, on the regulation of renal sodium transport. Kidney Int. 2014;86(1):118-26.

Gildea JJ, Lahiff DT, Van Sciver RE, Weiss RS, Shah N, McGrath HE, Schoeffel CD, Jose PA, Carey RM, Felder RA. A linear relationship between the ex-vivo sodium mediated expression of two sodium regulatory pathways as a surrogate marker of salt sensitivity of blood pressure in exfoliated human renal proximal tubule cells: the virtual renal biopsy. Clin Chim Acta. 2013;421:236-42.

Gildea JJ, Tran HT, Van Sciver RE, Bigler Wang D, Carlson JM, Felder RA. A novel role for c-Myc in G protein-coupled receptor kinase 4 (GRK4) transcriptional regulation in human kidney proximal tubule cells. Hypertension. 2013;61(5):1021-7.

Gildea JJ, McGrath HE, Van Sciver RE, Wang DB, Felder RA. Isolation, growth, and characterization of human renal epithelial cells using traditional and 3D methods. Methods Mol Biol. 2013;945:329-45.

Gildea JJ, Wang X, Shah N, Tran H, Spinosa M, Van Sciver R, Sasaki M, Yatabe J, Carey RM, Jose PA, Felder RA. Dopamine and Angiotensin type 2 receptors cooperatively inhibit sodium transport in human renal proximal tubule cells. Hypertension. 2012;60(2):396-403.

Gildea JJ, Kemp BA, Howell NL, Van Sciver RE, Carey RM, Felder RA. Inhibition of renal caveolin-1 reduces natriuresis and produces hypertension in sodium-loaded rats. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2011;300(4):F914-20.

Works Presented at Conferences

* Presenting author underlined

18th Annual Tidewater Student Research Poster Session, Newport News, VANovember 2016
Poster  Van Sciver RE, Cao Y, Ahmed AU, Tang AH. The “gatekeeper” function of Drosophila Seven-IN-Absentia (SINA) E3 ligase and its human homologs, SIAH1 and SIAH2, is highly conserved for proper RAS signal transduction in Drosophila eye development.

28th Annual EVMS Research Day, Norfolk, VAOctober 2016
Poster  Van Sciver RE, Cao Y, Ahmed AU, Tang AH. The “gatekeeper” function of Drosophila Seven-IN-Absentia (SINA) E3 ligase and its human homologs, SIAH1 and SIAH2, is highly conserved for proper RAS signal transduction in Drosophila eye development.

The Allied Genetics Conference, Orlando, FLJuly 2016
Poster  Van Sciver RE, Cao Y, Ahmed AU, Tang AH. The “gatekeeper” function of Drosophila Seven-IN-Absentia (SINA) E3 ligase and its human homologs, SIAH1 and SIAH2, is highly conserved for proper RAS signal transduction in Drosophila eye development.

EVMS Graduate Student Research Conference, Norfolk, VAMarch 2016
Talk  Van Sciver RE. Functional analysis of Seven-IN-Absentia (SINA) E3 ligase in Drosophila photoreceptor cell fate determination.

27th Annual EVMS Research Day, Norfolk, VAOctober 2015
Poster  Van Sciver RE, Cao Y, Ahmed AU, Tang AH. Functional analysis of Seven-IN-Absentia (SINA) E3 ligase in Drosophila photoreceptor cell fate determination.

EVMS Graduate Student Research Conference, Norfolk, VAMarch 2015
Talk  Van Sciver RE. Regulated proteolysis by seven-in-absentia (SINA) E3 ligase in Drosophila.

NeuroConnections 2014, Norfolk, VAOctober 2014
Poster  Van Sciver RE, Rushing JG, Tang AH. Loss of Function of Seven-IN-Absentia (SINA) Negatively Affects Drosophila Melanogaster Photoreceptor Development.

26th Annual EVMS Research Day, Norfolk, VAOctober 2014
Poster  Van Sciver RE, Rushing JG, Tang AH. Loss of Function of Seven-IN-Absentia (SINA) Negatively Affects Drosophila Melanogaster Photoreceptor Development.

40th Annual Council for High Blood Pressure Research, San Francisco, CASeptember 2014
Poster  Gildea JJ, Bigler Wang D, Van Sciver RE, Felder RA. Loss of Caveolin-1 in Mouse, Rat, and Human Proximal Tubule Cells Increases GRK4 Activity and Decreases D1-Like Receptor Cell Surface Levels.

39th Annual Council for High Blood Pressure Research, New Orleans, LASeptember 2013
Talk     Gildea JJ, Howell NL, Van Sciver RE, Kemp BA, Carey RM, Felder RA. Caveolin-1 Knockout Mice Have Salt-Sensitive Hypertension and Dopamine-1 Receptor Defects in Renal Cortex and Isolated Renal Proximal Tubule Cells.

Poster  Bigler Wang D, Van Sciver RE, Gildea JJ, Felder RA. Caveolin-1 (CAV1) Levels Determine the Cell Surface Expression of the Dopamine D1-like Receptors.

38th Annual Council for High Blood Pressure Research, Washington DCSeptember 2012
Talk     Gildea JJ, Lahiff DT, Keene SA, Van Sciver RE, Carey RM, Schoeffel CD, Felder RA. A Rapid Method for Clinical Diagnosis of Salt Sensitivity of Blood Pressure.

Poster  Van Sciver RE, Gildea JJ, Bigler Wang D, Felder RA. Caveolin-1 (CAV1) inhibits G Protein Coupled Receptor Kinase Type 4 (GRK4) Kinase Activity.

Poster  Gildea JJ, Keene SA, Lahiff DT, Van Sciver RE, Schoeffel CD, Carey RM, Felder RA. A Novel Test for Low Salt Sensitivity: Angiotensin type-II Receptor Recruitment After Dopamine-1 Receptor Stimulation in Urine-Derived Renal Proximal Tubule Cells.

Poster  Tran HT, Gildea JJ, Van Sciver RE, Bigler Wang D, Felder RA. c-Myc Inactivation by PP2A is Necessary for Dopaminergic Activity in the Proximal Tubule.

37th Annual Council for High Blood Pressure Research, Orlando, FLSeptember 2011
Poster  Gildea JJ, Shah N, Van Sciver RE, Tran HT, Felder RA. The Dopamine-1 Receptor (D₁R) and Angiotensin Type 2 Receptor (AT₂R) Cooperate to Increase Adenylyl Cyclase and Protein Phosphatase 2A (PP2A) Activity in Human Renal Proximal Tubule Cells.

Poster  Gildea JJ, Van Sciver RE, Tran HT, Bigler Wang D, Felder RA. Dopamine D1 vs D5 Receptor Selective Activation of cAMP and PLC and Relative Contribution to Inhibition of Sodium Influx.

Poster  Gildea JJ, Tran HT, Bigler Wang D, Van Sciver RE, Felder RA. A Role for Transcription Factor, c-myc, in GRK4 Transcriptional Regulation.

Poster  Gildea JJ, Lahiff DT, Van Sciver RE, Schoeffel CD, Carey RM, Felder RA. Urine Derived Living Renal Proximal Tubule Cells Differentially Respond to AngII in Patients from a Salt Sensitivity Study.

36th Annual Council for High Blood Pressure Research, Washington DCOctober 2010

Talk     Gildea JJ, Van Sciver RE, McGrath HE, Weiss RS, Shah IT, Shah N, Felder RA. Renal Proximal Tubule Cells Isolated from Human Urine Report the Degree of Salt Sensitivity in Test Subjects.

Poster  Van Sciver RE, Gildea JJ, Bigler Wang D, McGrath HE, Felder RA. G Protein Coupled Receptor Kinase Type 4 (GRK4) Variants Play a Role in Dopamine-1 Receptor (D₁R) Desensitization.

Poster  Felder RA, Gildea JJ, Van Sciver RE, McGrath HE. Human Renal Proximal Tubules Express In Vivo Form and Function in 3D Culture.

Technical and Specialized Skills Summary

Cell Biology & Microbiology Techniques ∙    Sterile cell culture technique ∙    Primary renal proximal tubule cell isolation ∙    Confocal fluorescent microscopy ∙    Cell transfection (electroporation/lipofection) ∙    Cell transduction (Lentivirus) ∙    Flow Cytometry ∙    SEM & TEM microscopy ∙    Bacterial transformation ∙    Bacterial cloning ∙    Bacterial culturing ∙    DNA plasmid MaxiPrepOperating Systems ∙    Microsoft Windows (various) ∙    Mac OS (various) ∙    Ubuntu (Linux derivative)

Biochemistry Techniques ∙    Gel Electrophoresis ∙    Western blotting ∙    Affinity purification ∙    Microarrays ∙    Förster resonance energy transfer ∙    CosedimentationSoftware ∙    BMG Labtech PHERAStar FS Plate Reader Control Software ∙    FIJI (Is Just ImageJ) ∙    BMG MARS Data Analysis Software ∙    Intelligent Imaging Innovations, Slidebook Microscopy Software ∙    Accuri C6 CFlow Software ∙    Li-Cor Odyssey Imaging systems ∙    Adobe PhotoShop CS6 ∙    MS Office Suite

Recognition & Awards

• Genetic Society of America’s The Allied Genetics Conference Travel Award Recipient 2016
• EVMS Student Affairs Travel Award Recipient 2016
• The Histochemical Society’s Immunohistochemistry and Microscopy Course Travel Award  2015
• EVMS Biomedical Sciences Program Travel Award Recipient 2015
• H. Kruger Kaprielian Memorial Scholarship recipient 2001 – 2005
• Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) Scholarship 2001 – 2003

Intramural & Extramural Service

• Volunteer, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network’s PurpleStride Tidewater 2014 – 2017
• Student Ambassador, EVMS 2014 – 
• Biomedical Sciences Representative at Healthcare Career Exploration Day at Booker T Washington (Title I) High School  2016
• President, EVMS Biomedical Sciences Student Organization 2015 – 2016
• Secretary, EVMS Biomedical Sciences Student Organization 2014 – 2015
• Student Representative, EVMS Biomedical Sciences Curriculum Committee 2015 –
• Student Representative, EVMS 2016 Commencement Speaker Committee 2015
• Biomedical Sciences Representative, Student Affairs Committee 2015 – 2016
• Completion of The Histochemical Society’s Immunohistochemistry & Microscopy short course at the Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA 2015
• Biomedical Sciences Class Representative, EVMS Student Government Association 2015 – 2016
• Volunteer, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network’s PurpleLight Tidewater 2014
• Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Summer Program 2004

Professional Memberships

• American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) • Associate Member 2014 –
• The Histochemical Society (HCS) • Student Member 2014 –
• AAAS/Science Program for Excellence in Science • Sponsored Member 2016 –
• Genetics Society of America • Graduate Student Member 2016 –