Résumé
Summary
Justin Shenk has been performing biomedical research since 2006. Working with George Perry at the University of Texas at San Antonio, he investigated mitochondrial degeneration and abnormalities in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in transgenic mouse models of AD using electron microscopy, before and after dietary supplementation with mitochondrial antioxidants. He established the Electron Microscopy Research Center as a TEM technician and laboratory manager. He is currently working in the molecular physiology laboratory at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, investigating strategies for preventing the onset of chronic pulmonary disease in premature babies.
Skills
scientific research, electron microscopy, western blotting, ELISA assays, cell and tissue culture, animal surgery, electrophysiology, customer service, project management, event management, promotions, website design and management, video editing, scientific writing
efficient, resourceful, contagious enthusiasm
Experience
Research Assistant
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
January 2009 — present
Primary research support staff for the Division of Neonatology, responsible for performing western blots, immunochemistry, cell culture, literature review and data analysis.
Laboratory Manager & Transmission Electron Microscope Technician
Electron Microscope Research Center, The University of Texas at San Antonio
September 2006 — August 2008 (2 years)
Graduate Research Assistant
Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio
September 2006 — August 2008 (2 years)
Demonstrated antioxidant-mediated amelioration of neuronal mitochondria in transgenic aging and Alzheimer’s disease mouse models using electron microscopy and quantitative analyses, in addition to performing electron microscopy, data analysis, and manuscript preparation for several other research projects. Characterized rat brain following intraperitoneal nanoparticle injection. Developed grant proposals and IACUC-approved animal use protocols. Published research in several peer-reviewed journals.
Research Coordinator Associate
Office of the Dean, College of Sciences, The University of Texas at San Antonio
September 2006 — October 2007 (1 year and 2 months)
Assist the dean with college administrative duties including analyzing faculty performance. Managed his extensive research portfolio (over 600 publications) and scientific activities.
Teaching
Teaching Assistant, Electron Microscopy: Theory and Practice, UTSA, Fall 2007 — Spring 2008
Student Assistant, Neurobiology Laboratory, UTSA, Spring 2006
Presentations
Cerebral hypoperfusion-induced oxidative stress and mitochondrial failure as initiators of aging and Alzheimer’s disease pathology
Eighth International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease
Poster Presentation
Chicago, Illinois
July 2008
Hydroxynonenal generated crosslinking fluorophores accumulate in Alzheimer disease
Eighty Fifth Annual Meeting of the American Association of Neuropathologists
Poster presentation
San Antonio, Texas
July 2009
Education
Master of Science in Biology
The University of Texas at San Antonio
September 2007 — August 2008
Thesis Option
Vice President and Webmaster – Graduate Student Association, 2008
Founder and Editor-in-Chief – Scope: Journal of the UTSA College of Sciences, 2007 — 2008
Bachelor of Science in Biology, cum laude
The University of Texas at San Antonio
September 2002 — June 2006
Project Leader and Webmaster, VOICES Volunteer Organization, 2004— 2006
College of Sciences Representative and Public Relations Chair, Student Government Association, 2004 — 2005
Ethics Bowl Champion, 2005
Second Runner-up in Mr. UTSA Contest, 2005
Resident Assistant at Chaparral Village, 2004 — 2005
Interests
jazz and blues guitar, science outreach, reading, photography, design, physics, neuroscience, psychology, philosophy
