Department of Biology, Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, Georgetown University, 37th and O Str., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20057. Phone: (202) 687-6015. Fax: (202) 687-5662
Home Address: 11324 Mitscher Street Kensington, Maryland 20895 Phone: (301) 946-8247
Qualification Overview
• Highly qualified research scientist with more than twenty years laboratory experience and excellent academic credentials • Author and co-author of 50+ peer reviewed scientific publications and over 65 scientific abstracts presented at the meetings • Substantial experience in sophisticated laboratory techniques including cell biology, molecular biology, cell and tissue culture and pharmacological interactions in animal models:
1. Cell biology techniques: pharmacological measurements of receptor interactions (dose-response effects, agonist and antagonist plots), measurements of signal transduction responses (changes in cAMP, cGMP, PI, intracellular Ca++), radioimmunoassay, ELISA, measurements of the levels of hormones in the brain and periphery (growth hormone, prolactin, LH-RH). 2. Molecular biology techniques: reverse transcription PCR and molecular hybridization technologies, real time quantitative PCR, molecular cloning, transient and stable transfections of cDNA and subcloning of stable cell lines, in situ hybridization, Western blotting. 3. Cell and tissue culture techniques: obtaining and maintaining primary cell cultures (brain and spinal cord neurons, astrocytes, vascular brain endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells), maintaining continuous cell lines, cellular models of neurotoxicity 4. Animal models: PCP- and amphetamine-induced model of schizophrenia, behavioral assessment of locomotor activity, prepulse inhibition (PPI) determination, inflammatory and acute pain models, carotid artery occlusion ischemic model, in vivo models of endocrinological interactions between hypothalamus and pituitary (lesions of different brain areas).
• Expertise in laboratory research, data collection and analysis and project management • Substantial experience as a laboratory manager • Supervisor of undergraduate and graduate students for the last 15 years • Mentor of senior thesis for undergraduate students and reviewer of PhD thesis for graduate students • Regular involvement in performing research for grant applications, writing grants, editing and correcting grant applications, collaboration with grant PI • Lecturer for undergraduate courses at the university and graduate courses abroad • Member of the faculty of the Interdisciplinary Program for Neuroscience at Georgetown University • Reviewer for several scientific journals in the area of neuroscience, neurochemistry, molecular pharmacology, neuronal plasticity and psychiatry. • Invited PhD reviewer for the international graduate schools in the area of neuroscience. • Invited member of the organizing committees of the scientific international meetings in the area of neuroscience. • Invited speaker and participant to several scientific meetings both national and international • Ad-hock grant reviewer for NIMH, (special panel Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Neurobiology), grant reviewer for the National Science Foundation and primary and secondary grant reviewer for the Department of Defense (NETRP, studies in Parkinson’s disease)
Education
1973 M.Sci. and B.Sci. (Biology), University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland – degree certified by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. 1979 Ph.D. (Natural Sciences), University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland, (Summa cum laude) - degree certified by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services.
1995 Additional training in molecular biology- TRAC-9, The Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences, NIH, Bethesda, MD.
Work experience
1993-2009 Associate Research Professor, Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington DC
• Investigate the interactions between N-acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG) and metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR3) • Characterize the signal transduction mechanisms of mGluR3 receptor in cultured astrocytes and neurons • Describe the role of mGluR3 receptor in long term depression and long term potentiation in rats • Molecular cloning and cellular expression of enzymes which cleave NAAG (carboxypeptidases II and III) • Investigate the effects of the inhibition of NAAG peptidases on pain perception and schizophrenic behavior in rat and mice models
1990-1993 Assistant Research Professor, Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington DC
• Investigate the role of arachidonic acid in signal transduction of ionotropic glutamate receptors • Characterize the pharmacology and signal transduction mechanism of metabotropic glutamate receptors in cerebellar neurons • Neuroprotective role of NAAG in cultured cortical neurons
1988-1990 Assistant Research Professor, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Georgetown University, Washington DC
• Characterize the vasoactive role of arachidonic acid derivatives in rat aorta and a role of prostaglandins, hydroperoxides and other derivatives of arachidonic acid in vasodilatory responses of blood vessels
1986-1988 Research Associate, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Georgetown University, Washington DC
• Investigate the role of endothelium in vasoconstriction and vasorelaxation of coronary arteries • Characterize the effects of estradiol on smooth muscle cell proliferation in blood vessels
1982-1985 Visiting Fellow, Laboratory of Neuroanatomical and Neuropathological Sciences, NINCDS, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
• Characterization of adrenergic receptors linked to adenylate cyclase in cultured cerebro-vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells • Changes in the neurotransmitter release and glycogen metabolism and its role in brain ischemia and brain edema • Development and characterization of cerebromicrovascular endothelium and smooth muscle cells in culture
1979-1982 Senior Research Assistant, Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
• Characterization of the interaction between insulin and insulin receptor in cerebellar capillaries and astrocytes
1974-1979 Postgraduate Fellow, Department of Neuroendocrinology, Institute of Animal Physiology & Nutrition, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
• Characterization of the release of prolactin in sheep with lesions of medial basal hypothalamus
• Regulation of the release of growth hormone during pregnancy and lactation in sheep.
• Regulation of the release of LH-RH during estrous cycle in sheep
Professional Memberships
1983-Present: Member, Society for Neuroscience
1986-Present: Member, American Association for Advancement of Sciences (AAAS)
1993-Present: Member, International Brain Research Organization (IBRO)
1997-present: Member, Polish Neuroscience Society (PTBUN)
1979-1981: Member, Polish Teachers Association
2007-present American Association of University Professors
Awards
1974-1978 Doctoral Fellowship from Polish Academy of Sciences, 1982-1985 Fogarty Visiting Fellowship, NIH,