Resume

• 2012

  StageLearn

  Inc.

  Assumption College

  Developed case study materials for high school STEM curriculum.\n\nThe case \"My brain made me do it...\" explores modern neuroimaging techniques and looks at their use in legal proceedings. Students are also introduced to neuroanatomy and the relationship between brain regions and their primary functions.

  StageLearn

  Inc.

• 2005

  Emory University

  UMass Boston

  Emory University

  Upper-division Neurobiology course with an enrollment of 60 students. I integrated small group work

  think-pair-share style discussion questions and iclicker questions into classroom lectures. I also developed and implemented a Process Oriented Guided Inquiry (POGIL) case to introduce neuroanatomy through self and peer instruction. By the end of the lesson students had generated a \"compass\" of anatomical direction terms and were able to write \"driving directions\" to describe the location of key structures in the brain. The final group project was an extended case study introducing mental illness through an investigation of the life of the painter Vincent VanGogh. Group members worked together to research a mental illness and generate a poster for round-robin style individual presentations.

  UMass Boston

  Emory University

  Atlanta

  GA

  Lecture Track Faculty in the Biology Department \n\nCourses taught include:\nBIOL 141: Foundations of Modern Biology I\nBIOL 240: Organismal Form and Function\nBIOL 336: Human Physiology\n\nSpecial Seminars:\nIDS290: Bodies in Space: Dance & Proprioception

  Lecturer

  Atlanta

  GA

  Thesis Advisor: Andrew Jenkins

  Ph.D.\nFunctional and structural subdomains of the intracellular loop domain of the GABA(A) receptor α1 subunit\n\n\"My research experience resides at the intersection of Biology

  Chemistry

  and Physics. I proposed a novel role for the intracellular loop domain (ILD) in the GABA(A)R α1 subunit and sought to fill a critical knowledge gap in our understanding of the structure and function of this region of the protein. I conducted a systematic site-directed mutagenesis charge switch scan

  changing basic residues to glutamate and acidic residues to lysine

  in order to assay the role that individual ILD residues play in controlling channel function. Through careful characterization of these mutants using macroscopic and single channel voltage-clamp recording techniques

  I have shown that residues within discrete subdomains of the α1 ILD control channel gating

  desensitization

  and open probability. I have also shown that ILD residues affect ion permeation as seen by changes in relative reversal potential and single channel conductance. Taken together

  my results have established an important role for the GABA(A)R α1 ILD in controlling the architecture and hence function of this ion channel.\"

  Ph.D. in Neuroscience

  Emory University

  Ph.D.

  Thesis Advisor: Andrew Jenkins

  Ph.D.\n“Properties of the M3-M4 Intracellular Loop of the GABA(A) receptor revealed through mutagenesis”\n\nNIH T32 Predoctoral Institutional Training Grant

  Division Scholar

  Neuroscience

  Graduates in Neuroscience

  Graduate Student Council

• 2003

  Northern Kentucky University

  Center for Science Education

  Emory University

  Honors Thesis Advisor: Patrick Schultheis

  Ph.D.\nWestern Blot Analysis of a putative P-type ATPase Mg2+ transporter

  Northern Kentucky University

  Teaching Fellow

  PRISM fellowship: NSF GK12 Grant\nPaired with High School teacher to design and implement Problem Based Learning cases. \nAP and Honors Chemistry at Grady High School

  Atlanta

  GA.\n\nFull cases and materials are published online at CASES Online: http://www.cse.emory.edu/cases/\n\n\"Table Town\" introduces the periodic table through a discovery of elemental properties.\nMr. Element has just moved to Table Town where there are very specific rules about where he can live. Will he like his new neighbors? Will he find the best place to live?\n\nThe \"Case of the Jacked Up Grill\" introduces oxidation and reduction chemistry with an inquiry based lab activity.\nLeon and Stanley bought grills for a great price from Pookie. But when Leon's teeth turn blue can they use their knowledge of Chemistry to determine what happened?\n\n\"Kate’s Conundrum\" uses a comic strip to introduce the biochemistry of proteins while reviewing inter- and intra- molecular forces. Final group presentations encourage students to be creative and use a comic strip

  skit

  song or rap to share their findings with the class.\nCan Kate figure out how to complete her thesis project on ion channels by learning about intermolecular forces? Can you help her figure out which amino acids are charged using your understanding of pKa values?\n\nEllis K

  Goins C

  Obeidin R

  O’Toole K. 2011. Troubled Waters. \nObeidin R

  O’Toole K

  Ellis K

  and Goins C. 2011. Something in the Air. \nO’Toole K and Obeidin R. 2011. Case of the Jacked Up Grill. \nFaircloth R and O’Toole K. 2010. Table Town. \nO’Toole K and Obeidin R. 2010. Avogadro’s Americano. \nO’Toole K and Obeidin R. 2010. Kate’s Conundrum.

  Center for Science Education

  Emory University

  Teaching Assistant

  Ronald Calabrese

  Ph.D.\t\nCourse: IBS 514 Cellular Neuroscience

  Emory University

  Nicole Minor

  Ph.D.; BIO 352L Genetics Lab\nLarry Giesmann

  Ph.D.; BIO 151L General Biology Lab

  \nJerome Langguth

  Ph.D.; HNR 101 Introductory Philosophy

  Northern Kentucky University

  Adjunct Professor

  Neuroscience capstone class for biology majors with an enrollment of 16 students. During lecture

  I am incorporating videos

  popular news articles

  primary literature

  case studies

  and in-class activities for better student engagement and understanding of the material. Within the lab

  I am using an inquiry based approach where students must propose a testable hypothesis

  then collect data and summarize their findings by writing an abstract to practice real world research and communication skills. This semester I introduced a new lab to the curriculum using Backyard Brains recording units for electrophysiology using the cockroach leg

  Assumption College

  Tufts University

  Boston

  MA

  Fellow in the TEACRS program supported by NIH funds to pursue career development in biomedical research and undergraduate science education.\n\nResearch adviser: Jamie Maguire

  Ph.D.\nStudying changes in excitability within the peritumoral region which lead to enhanced seizure susceptibility in animal models of Glioblastoma Multiforme

  Postdoctoral Associate

• 2001

  BS

  Summa Cum Laude

  University Honors Scholar

  Most Outstanding Graduate: Biological Sciences

  Regents Scholar

  Biological Sciences

  Chemistry

  Tri Beta: Biological Honor Society

  Alpha Chi Honor Society

  NCAA Division II Volleyball

  Northern Kentucky University

• Department of Biology | Emory University

  Department of Biology | Emory University

  CASES Online: Creating Active Student Engagement in the Sciences

  CASES Online is a collection of inquiry-based lessons to engage K-12 and undergraduate students in exploring the science behind real-world problems. Through CASES

  you can transform your students into motivated investigators

  self-directed and life-long learners

  critical thinkers and keen problem solvers. Our cases are grounded in Problem-Based Learning (PBL)

  Investigative Case-Based Learning (ICBL)

  and related student-centered pedagogies.

  Immunohistochemistry

  Tissue Culture

  Immunocytochemistry

  Molecular Biology

  Neuroscience

  Aseptic Technique

  Cell Culture

  Animal Models

  PCR

  Mutagenesis

  Scientific Writing

  Electrophysiology

  Western Blotting

  Data Analysis

  Discrete M3-M4 intracellular loop subdomains control specific aspects of γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor function

  Andrew Jenkins

  The GABA type A receptor (GABA(A)R) is a member of the pentameric ligand gated ion channel (pLGIC) family that mediates ionotropic neurotransmission. Residues in the intracellular loop domain (ILD) have recently been shown to define part of the ion permeation pathway in several closely related members of the pentameric ligand gated ion channel family. In this study

  we investigated the role the ILD of the GABA(A)R α1 subunit plays in channel function. Deletion of the α1 ILD resulted in a significant increase in GABA EC(50) and maximal current amplitude

  suggesting that the ILD must be intact for proper receptor function. To test this hypothesis

  we conducted a mutagenic screen of all amino acids harboring ionizable side chains within this domain to investigate the contribution of individual charged residues to ion permeation. Using macroscopic and single channel voltage-clamp recording techniques

  we found that mutations within a subdomain of the α1 ILD near M3 altered GABA apparent affinity; interestingly

  α1(K312E) exhibited reduced partial agonist efficacy. We introduced point mutations near M4

  including α1(K383E) and α1(K384E)

  that enhanced receptor desensitization. Mutation of 5 charged residues within a 39-residue span contiguous with M4 reduced relative anion permeability of the channel and may represent a weak intracellular selectivity filter. Within this subdomain

  the α1(K378E) mutation induced a significant reduction in single channel conductance

  consistent with our hypothesis that the GABA(A)R α1 ILD contributes directly to the permeation pathway.

  Discrete M3-M4 intracellular loop subdomains control specific aspects of γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor function

  David J. A. Wyllie

  Stephen F. Traynelis

  James P. Snyder

  C. Justin Lee

  Phuong Le

  Matthew R. Livesey

  Kevin Erreger

  Elyse Katz

  Matthew T. Geballe

  Philip E. Chen

  Journal of Physiology

  Modulation of glycine potency in rat recombinant NMDA receptors containing chimeric NR2A/2D subunits expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes.

  Gary Shull

  Tamera Hagen

  Patrick Schultheis

  Biochem Biophys Res Commun.

  Characterization of the P5 subfamily of P-type transport ATPases in mice.

  Andrew Hooper

  Stress is the most commonly reported precipitating factor for seizures. The proconvulsant actions of stress hormones are thought to mediate the effects of stress on seizure susceptibility. Interestingly

  epileptic patients have increased basal levels of stress hormones

  including corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and corticosterone

  which are further increased following seizures. Given the proconvulsant actions of stress hormones

  we proposed that seizure-induced activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis may contribute to future seizure susceptibility. Consistent with this hypothesis

  our data demonstrate that pharmacological induction of seizures in mice with kainic acid or pilocarpine increases circulating levels of the stress hormone

  corticosterone

  and exogenous corticosterone administration is sufficient to increase seizure susceptibility. However

  the mechanism(s) whereby seizures activate the HPA axis remain unknown. Here we demonstrate that seizure-induced activation of the HPA axis involves compromised GABAergic control of CRH neurons

  which govern HPA axis function. Following seizure activity

  there is a collapse of the chloride gradient due to changes in NKCC1 and KCC2 expression

  resulting in reduced amplitude of sIPSPs and even depolarizing effects of GABA on CRH neurons. Seizure-induced activation of the HPA axis results in future seizure susceptibility which can be blocked by treatment with an NKCC1 inhibitor

  bumetanide

  or blocking the CRH signaling with Antalarmin. These data suggest that compromised GABAergic control of CRH neurons following an initial seizure event may cause hyperexcitability of the HPA axis and increase future seizure susceptibility.

  Seizure-induced disinhibition of the HPA axis increases seizure susceptibility

  Andrew Jenkins

  Jason Derry

  Paul Garcia

  Jim Richardson

  Anesthesiology

  A conserved tyrosine in the beta2 subunit M4 segment is a determinant of gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor sensitivity to propofol.

  Andrew Jenkins

  The GABA type A receptor (GABA(A)R) is expressed ubiquitously throughout the brain and is a target for many therapeutic agents

  including general anesthetics and benzodiazepines

  which enhance receptor function by increasing the open probability (P(o)) of the ion channel. It is commonplace for in vitro studies of receptor pharmacological characteristics to use negative membrane holding potentials to mimic the resting potential of neurons and symmetrical chloride to eliminate Goldman rectification

  which results in chloride flow in the opposite direction

  compared with in vivo conditions. This critical difference is usually overlooked because the GABA(A)R has been reported to behave as an ohmic pore

  but our results show that the current-voltage relationship is nonlinear with respect to P(o). Specifically

  we found that currents were outwardly rectifying at low P(o) and linear at high P(o). We confirmed the correlation between P(o) and rectification with a partial agonist

  piperidine-4-sulfonic acid

  and a gating-impaired mutation

  α1(L277A); both exhibited enhanced outward rectification. Furthermore

  this correlation was independent of Goldman rectification and persisted under altered chloride gradient conditions

  which suggests that rectification is linked to the direction of chloride flux. Finally

  our results showed that the degree of potentiation by general anesthetics (etomidate

  propofol

  and isoflurane) was greater at negative membrane potentials. Traditional in vitro experiments thus overestimate the action of positive allosteric modulators of the GABA(A)R. Our results show that the direction of the driving force on the permeant ion

  as well as P(o)

  must be considered together for a complete understanding of drug actions on ligand-gated ion channels.

  The Apparent Voltage Dependence of GABAA Receptor Activation and Modulation Is Inversely Related to Channel Open Probability

  Kate

  O'Toole

  Tufts University