Tiange Dong

• Designed and executed studies to characterize the mechanism of action of small molecule analogs. • Designed and optimized in vitro assays to evaluate anti-inflammatory activities of small molecule analogs. • Developed and validated functional cell-based assays for in vitro screening. • Experienced with cell-based assays including flow cytometry, gene expression analysis, cell signaling dissection and immunofluorescent staining. • Established immunocompetent and immunocompromised mouse cancer xenografts models to test the anti-tumor activity of novel immune-oncological compounds. • Analyzed the immune cell populations in the tumor microenvironment by flow cytometry, immunofluorescence staining and immunohistochemistry. • Developed strong problem-solving and critical thinking abilities while working independently and in collaboration. • Presented poster titled “Mechanistic Investigation of NAP1051, a Lipoxin A4 Biomimetic, in Treating Colorectal Cancer” at AAPS and AACR annual meetings. • Isolated and analyzed macrophage population from multiple liver cancer mice models using FACS sorting and adherent selection. • Examined expressions of genes of interest in mouse liver tumors. • Investigated levels HIF1α and CXCL5 in vitro to dissect the regulatory pathway in liver cancer cell lines. • Improved techniques on animal works and following flow cytometry. • Contributed to the paper titled “Wnt/β-catenin activation and macrophage induction during liver cancer development following steatosis”, published on Oncogene.

• Clarified and explained complicated biological concepts in genetics and cell biology. • Communicated with various of students from diverse courses and majors. • Developed trustful relationships with students and colleagues. • Served as the liaison and informed the professor feedbacks and potential improvements from students.

• Demonstrated fundamental research techniques and basic data evaluation method. • Improved fundamental laboratory techniques and instructed students concisely and precisely. • Supervised the section as the leading TA, developed sophisticated independent problem-solving ability. • Communicated with individual students, comprehended and answered students’ questions.

• Employed logical expressions on protein pairs/triplets of E. Coli to contrive a new computational method. • Analyzed and evaluated functions of over 600 pairs/triplets of E. Coli proteins. • Integrated and systematized the relationship and logic between protein pairs/triplets. • Curated and categorized over a hundred of biological databases. • Established sophisticated reading, summarizing and presentation abilities and skills. • Contributed as the third author in the paper titled “Genome-scale identification and characterization of moonlighting proteins”, published on Biology Direct.

• Utilized Zebrafish as animal model to examine the genetic factors affecting functions of cardiac and skeletal muscles. • Processed collected blood and urine samples from patients to measure biomarkers that reflect the brain functions. • Developed good routines of conducting experiments, preventing contaminations and maintaining lab notebook. • Performed PCR, RNA transcription, electrophoresis and interpretation of sequencing chromatograms.

• Comprehended the biological and statistical principles underlying the Genome-wide association study (GWAS). • Organized the genotypes and phenotypes of the original medical data. • Identified several known lipid-associated genes and previously undetected signals. • Acquired knowledge and experiences of academic genetic biostatistics research.