Resume

• 1994

  Doctorate

  I was a member of the UAB Industry Roundtable.

  Cell Biology

  Industry Roundtable

  University of Alabama at Birmingham

• 1987

  BS

  General Biology with an emphasis on cellular and molecular biology.

  Biology

  Cross Country - 4-year letterman. Also competed in Track and Field. 3-time Qualifier for the NCAA Div. III Cross Country National Championships.

  University of California

  San Diego

• Durango Colorado

  Genetics

  Data Analysis

  Teaching

  Science

  HPLC

  Public Speaking

  Microscopy

  Cell Biology

  PCR

  Lifesciences

  Biochemistry

  Biology

  Research

  Gel Electrophoresis

  Western Blotting

  Cell Culture

  Higher Education

  Toxicology

  Molecular Biology

  Microbiology

  Google Scholar

  Fenster

  Steven

  University of Alabama at Birmingham

  College of Wooster

  Ashland University

  St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

  Fort Lewis College

  The Ohio State University

  Agouron Institute

  Birmingham

  Alabama Area

  I received my doctorate in Cell Biology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham where I worked with Dr. Craig Garner

  a leading researcher who has made significant progress characterizing the molecular components of synapses: the signaling complex responsible for transmission of signals in the brain. My research focused on a protein called Piccolo found at a restricted region in neurons called the active zone: the site of synaptic vesicle fusion in the presynaptic terminal of synapses. Specifically

  the results of my dissertation research provided a framework for future studies regarding the function of Piccolo in the vertebrate nervous system including the first molecular description of the structure of Piccolo

  characterization of the genomic structure of the mouse and human Piccolo gene (PCLO)

  and identification and characterization of functional links between Piccolo and components critical for synaptic vesicle fusion and recycling. The results of these studies

  which have important implications for understanding mechanisms underlying synapse formation and neuronal development

  were summarized in a series of articles published in the journals Neuron

  Journal of Biological Chemistry

  and International Journal of Development Neuroscience

  Graduate Assistant

  University of Alabama at Birmingham

  Wooster

  Ohio

  I was a visiting professor for one year at the College of Wooster where I taught Genetics and a research/writing course.

  Visiting Professor

  College of Wooster

  Ashland

  Ohio

  I spent seven years as a professor at Ashland University earning tenure in 2011. During this time I developed and instructed a number of courses including Cell Biology

  Molecular Biology

  Human Biology

  Genetics

  Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology

  Biotechnology

  and Journal Club. I also taught a freshmen orientation course for several years designed to provide incoming students resources and education on transition to college life.\n\nIn addition to my teaching responsibilities

  I conducted research with numerous undergraduates and collaborated with several other professors at Ashland and College of Wooster on research projects.\n\nMy other endeavors included serving as the Director of the Choose Ohio First Scholarship program

  numerous college and university committees

  and various outreach activities.

  Associate Professor

  Ashland University

  I was a post-doctoral fellow in the lab of Dr. Thomas Curran at St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital in Memphis. At St. Jude

  I pursued a number of projects. One set of projects involved the use of two strains of genetically engineered mice as models to study autism and pediatric brain cancer

  respectively. Using a mouse model of medulloblastoma (a pediatric brain cancer)

  I was able demonstrate the effective use of a commonly used anti-epileptic drug called valproic acid as a potential treatment for brain cancer. In addition

  I investigated the genetic basis of Rett Syndrome

  a leading cause of autism in girls

  by examining gene expression changes in mice with a genetic deletion of the gene of MeCP2

  the gene mutated in girls with Rett Syndrome. Another project I was actively involved with was a microarray analysis study that examined gene expression changes in a cell line transformed with an inducible form of the fos oncogene. The overall goal of this study was to identify genes that may be responsible for the process of tumorigenesis. Our results were published in the journal Molecular Cancer.

  Postdoctoral Fellow

  Greater Memphis Area

  St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

  My first research position was at the Agouron Institute in La Jolla

  California following graduation from University of California

  San Diego. My experiences at Agouron greatly influenced my future research career by inspiring me to seek further scientific training in a doctoral program. At Agouron

  I worked with Dr. Daniel Chin to develop pre-clinical experimental strategies to target the human immunodeficiency virus. The results of my work with Dr. Chin were published in the journal Biochemistry.

  Research Technician

  Greater San Diego Area

  Agouron Institute

  Wooster

  Ohio

  I spent the summer working at Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center at The Ohio State University with Dr. Esther van der Knaap

  an expert in the genetics of tomatoes. My research project was funded by a competitive Research Opportunity Award grant from the National Science Foundation and involved the characterization of a gene known as OVATE involved in regulating tomato shape. I developed yeast-two hybrid assays to verify functional interactions between OVATE protein and members of the TRM family of proteins.

  Visiting Scholar

  The Ohio State University

  Durango

  Colorado

  I joined the Biology Department at Fort Lewis College in the summer of 2013. Currently

  I teach the following courses: Senior Thesis

  Genetics

  Neurobiology

  Molecular Biology

  and Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology. I am also a member of the Pre-Health Committee

  Program Director for NIH-MARC

  and faculty advisor for the SACNAS and ASBMB student chapters.\n\nMy research focuses on characterizing synaptic-associated proteins in the vertebrate nervous system. In addition

  I also have begun a collaboration with Dr. Erin Lehmer in the biology department to characterize the fungal flora of Mexican-free tailed bats in Colorado.

  Professor

  Fort Lewis College