Morwan O.

Postdoctoral Fellow in Mycobacterial Structural Biology @ University of York

About

An experienced scientist working at the interface between microbiology and biochemistry. I have a BEng in Biomedical Engineering, PhD in Molecular & Cellular Biology with extensive experience in membrane protein purification and BSL-2 models of microbial pathogenesis. My PhD work focused on the host-pathogen interface between pathogenic mycobacteria and macrophages, while my postdoctoral work has focused on understanding antibiotic mechanisms of action by combining biophysical methods of measuring cellular metabolism along with cryoEM. I also have experience in lab management (coordinating cross-country moves and establishing new biosafety facilities) and managing small teams of scientists.

Country

United States

City

San Francisco Bay Area

Industry

Biotechnology

Skill

Laboratory Management, Tissue Culture, Membrane Proteins, Protein Expression, Leadership, Conflict Resolution, Coaching & Mentoring, Higher Education, Pedagogy, Communication, Biosafety, Biomedical Research, Research Supervision, GraphPad, Research and Development (R&D), Confocal Microscopy, Flow Cytometry, cryoEM, Molecular Cloning, AKTA

Experience

Postdoctoral Fellow in Mycobacterial Structural Biology

University of York

2021-8 - Present · 5 yrs 2 mos

York

•Expression and purification of bacterial membrane respiratory complexes for enzymatic and spectroscopic studies, resulting in a first-author paper in Nature Communications. •cryoEM sample preparation, data collection, and processing of enzymes ranging from 140 to 800 kDa in size. •Developed noninvasive methods for measuring the respiratory function of mammalian and bacterial cells in response to antimicrobials. • Setup a BSL2 facility for microbial pathogens, including design, implementation, and staff training as designated biosafety officer. • Management of PhD and Masters students, including project development, planning, and day-to-day supervision. • Designed and taught a project-based course on respiratory pathways of microbial pathogens to prepare third-year undergraduates for independent research.

Postdoctoral Research Associate

University of Cambridge

2018-3 - 2021-8 · 3 yrs 6 mos

Cambridge

• Functional & structural characterisation of M. tuberculosis membrane proteins required for virulence. • Led a multidisciplinary team of biochemistry students and medical researchers, combining enzymatic assays with in vivo zebrafish models of mycobacterial infection for target identification and toxicity testing of an FDA-approved antivirulence compound. Work led to a first author publication in PNAS and a preprint on bioRxiv.

Visiting Scholar

University of Cambridge

2014-10 - 2018-3 · 3 yrs 6 mos

Greater Cambridge Area

Characterisation of a M. tuberculosis secretory system in virulence in in vitro models of infection. • Coordinated move of research group from USA to UK, including design and outfitting of new lab space with £50k of equipment. • Worked as part of an international and interdisciplinary research team (University of Washington, University of Cambridge, MRC LMB, University of Leiden, University of Washington).

Research Technician II

Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis

2008-8 - 2009-8 · 1 yr 1 mo

• Conducted a forward genetic screen in a fungal model of Huntington's disease to identify genes that could rescue impairment of protein degradation pathways. • Managed lab resources and trained undergraduate researchers and graduate students in application and use of new equipment

Technical Services

Epic

2007-9 - 2008-8 · 1 yr

• Provided remote and on-site support during a hospital’s transition to an electronic medical record system. • Wrote and customized software modules and workflows based on each hospital’s requirements.