Biology Curriculum Vitae
Vincent Samuel La Porta
Adjunct Professor of Biology, Chaminade University of Honolulu
Feb 2011 to Sept 2012 Dept of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Principal Investigator - Dr. Mike Dohm
Summary of Position
Chaminade University hired me early in 2011 to run the laboratory space for Dr. Mike Dohm studying environmental toxicology and genomics. My funding grant was split between two responsibilities; active research on local and global environmental toxicology, and active teaching to the student body to promote research science as a study and profession. My main purpose was to help bridge the gap between learning biology in the classrooms, and applying that learning for research purposes in a professional setting. Students came to me and gained upper level Biology credits as interns in the laboratory. My students benefitted from one on one lectures in scientific methods and techniques, small group lectures and laboratory meetings on current trends in biological research and technology, and my committed mentorship towards their intellectual and personal growth as young aspiring scientists. I was also called upon sporadically to give lectures and teach Lab sections to support the Biological Faculty. Our research venue was studying the toxic effects of VOG and Ozone on the regenerative cellular populations residing within our lung tissue, and how these toxic components of local and global atmoshpeheres contribute to pulmonary disease.
Responsibilities as:
Lead Researcher:
- develop protocol and create data for new grants and publications
- manage the lab space and order all supplies
- growth of cell colonies
- direct the education of students of the Dohm Lab
Adjunct Professor of Biology:
- teach lecture and laboratory classes for the Biology dept upon request
- direct upper level internships through the Dohm laboratory space
- offer my expertise to the student body in the field of scientific research
- guide students into summer internship programs at mainland institutions
* acceptances at Brown University and University of Colorado Boulder
Previous Experience
Laboratoy Manager, Lead Researcher/Technician Harvard University, Boston, MA
May 2008 to Sept 2010 Massachusetts General Hospital
Principal Investigator - Andrew Brack, PhD Center for Regenerative Medicine
Summary of Position
I was employed by Massachusetts General Hospital’s Center for Regenerative Medicine (MGH-CRM). Our lab focused on the molecular pathways that control cell fate decisions of the adult muscle stem cell (the satellite cell) to effectively regenerate adult skeletal muscle. Here I was the laboratory manager, the mouse colonies manager, and lead my own project driving an investigation into the developmental emergence of quiescence within the satellite cell pool. I developed the questions, lead the investigation, and created large amounts of novel data. Publication is pending submission. During my time in the Brack lab I was also awarded partial authorship on the following publication;
Publication: Shea KL, Xiang W, LaPorta VS, Licht JD, Keller C, Basson MA, Brack AS. Sprouty1 regulates reversible quiescence of a self-renewing adult muscle stem cell pool during regeneration. Cell Stem Cell. 2010 Feb 5;6(2):117-26
Responsibilities as:
1) Lead Technician
As the lead technician at MGH-CRM my most valuable addition to the lab was the development of a protocol which successfully isolated single muscle fibers from skeletal muscle (mice) at embryonic and perinatal timepoints. I also developed the protocols for culturing these fibers, isolating satellite cells from these fibers, and staining the fibers and cells for immunoflourescence. I used these techniques to drive my project.
2) Lab Manager
As the lab manager I was responsible for the following:
- ordering and inventory
- safety, regulation, and SOP’s
- weekly lab meeting itineraries and minutes
- mouse line management, genotyping, and breeding
- general lab space and equipment upkeep
- protocol training of all new post-docs and techs
Technical skills:
DNA and RNA isolation, PCR, RT-PCR, genotyping, mouse breeding, mouse colonies management, FACS analysis, primary cell line preparation, tissue culture, single muscle fiber isolation, immunhistochemistry and IF on cells and tissues, Western blotting, tissue sectioning by CryoStat, maintenance of adult stem cell lines, microsurgery, mouse dissection for muscle tissue, fluorescence microscopy.
Education and Teaching Experience:
Bethesda Chevy Chase HS – May 2000
AP Biology, IB Spanish, graduated with honors, senior year GPA 4.2 weighted
Bachelor of Science in Biology, May 2004
St. Mary’s College of Maryland, St. Mary’s City, MD
Sr. GPA 3.8
*St. Mary’s Project Senior Thesis:
Fgf-10 Induces Intercalary Limb Regeneration in Axolotls, Ambystoma mexicanum. Mentor: Dr. Karen Crawford
Computer Expertise:
MAC and PC proficient, MS Office, PowerPoint, Excel, Internet for Biological Research, SPSS, Openlab, GraphPad, Nikon NIS-Elements Cell Imaging Software
Teaching Experience via MGH-CRM
Trained Harvard summer research students on:
research procedures oral presentation skills
immunoflourescence assays PowerPoint presentation
experimental design genetics of transgenic mice
micro surgery techniques mouse colony preparation/maintenance
FACS – Flourescence-activated Cell Sorting mammalian skeletal musculature
Stem cell biology cell cycle pathways and kinetics
Stem cell quiescence adult stem cell form and functions
muscle development/embryology laboratory management/maintenance
microscopy sterile technique
Lecture experience:
‘Muscle Tissue Development and the Adult Muscle Stem Cell’
Massachusetts Bay Community College – Dec 2008
‘An Introduction to Adult Stem Cell Populations’
Marlborough High School – Apr 2009
‘Emergence of the Quiescent Adult Muscle Stem Cell’
MGH, Center for Regenerative Medicine – Oct 2008, Jan 2009, May 2009, Aug 2009, Nov 2009, Feb 2010, May 2010.
Other Biological Research Experience:
Laboratory Assistant II – Oct. 2004 to Jan 2006
University of California, Davis, Department of Medical Dermatology,
Dr. Rivkah Isseroff, M.D, Principle Investigator, Professor of Dermatology
● Sterile technique, preparation of sterile media and reagents.
● Primary cell culture and cell line isolation from human skin tissue.
● Performed animal surgery for wound healing assays on mice (tails, back skin), and pigs (back skin), while managing animal care
● Prepared areas and equipment for surgeries, and cleaned/sterilized post surgery (mice, pigs)
● Designed protocol for RNA analysis on neonatal human keratinocytes undergoing non-directional migration and galvanotaxis.
● Analyzed cell morphology and motility using microscopes and image analysis software.
● Identification and characterization of tissues and cells using immunologic assays.
● In charge of laboratory maintenance, ordering of supplies, biohazard waste disposal, MSDS documentation, and GOP/SOP record upkeep.
Biological Researcher and Laboratory Teaching Assistant - Sept. 2003 to May 2004
St. Mary’s College of MD Biological Department, Dr. Karen Crawford, Department Chair, Developmental Biologist
● Performed experiments with live animals (axolotl mexicanum), utilized surgical techniques, and managed animal care
● Prepared areas and equipment for surgeries, performed surgeries, and cleaned and sterilized post surgery (axolotl mexicanum)
● Developed very accurate and steady hands for precision and control while performing animal surgeries
● Resident expert in Fibroblast growth factors and their roles in regeneration and development
● Resident expert in Urodele limb regeneration (Ambystoma mexicanum)
● Responsible for formal documentation and presentation of biological research within self designed pilot studies for publication