K P M H

KYLE PATRICK MCHUGH
[email protected] • (716) 903-2430
SUMMARY



Cell and molecular bioengineer with over 8 years of experience solving research problems and
communicating scientific ideas to professionals and a general audience
Completed multiple research accomplishments including cloning a library of over 40 transcription factors,
developing a computational model of library screening, and establishing a cell culture model to study
neurodegenerative diseases
Demonstrates the ability to efficiently manage and collaborate with others through various leadership,
mentoring, and teamwork roles
EDUCATION
2010–2016
2006–2010
Ph.D. Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering | University of Delaware
Thesis: “Neuronal reprogramming and propagation of tau strains for the development of cell
culture models of neurodegenerative disease” (GPA: 3.75 / 4.0)
B.S. Chemical and Biological Engineering | State University of New York at Buffalo
Minor in Biological Sciences, summa cum laude, Honors Scholar (GPA: 3.83 / 4.0)
SELECTED LABORATORY SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES
Molecular biology




Recombinant DNA cloning
RNA isolation and qRT-PCR
cDNA library synthesis
SDS-PAGE and Western blotting




Ion-exchange and affinity chromatography
In vitro protein aggregation/fibrillization
Bioreactor fermentation (22L scale)
E. coli gene deletion/overexpression




Flow cytometry and FACS
Lentivirus production/infection
Cytotoxicity/viability assays
CRISPR and RNAi

Harvesting embryonic fibroblasts


Image analysis – ImageJ
Serial Cloner
Mammalian cell culture




Stem cell culture and differentiation (iPSC)
Primary neuronal and fibroblast culture
CHO cell scFv antibody production
Immunolabeling/fluorescence microscopy
Animal research


Murine handling and breeding
Murine brain dissection
Computational skills


MATLAB, Maple
HTML, CSS, JavaScript (limited)
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
2010–2016
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Delaware, Advisor: Prof. David W. Colby
 Independently generated cDNA libraries and subcloned over 40 transcription factors into a
lentivirus vector
 Bred transgenic mice and isolated primary neurons and embryonic fibroblasts to study
neuronal reprogramming using lentivirus, fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), and
qRT-PCR
 Developed a computational model of library screening with MATLAB to identify optimal
experimental parameters
 Established a cell culture model to propagate tau strains from human brain requiring
expression/purification of tau protein and standard protein characterization techniques
 Screened multiple anti-prion antibody mutants by CHO cell antibody secretion and
purification for clearance of prion infection in cell culture
2008–2010
Undergraduate Research Assistant
University at Buffalo, Advisor: Prof. Sriram Neelamegham (May 2009-May 2010)

Identified effective siRNAs to silence specific glycotransferases in human leukocytes by
lentivirus transduction and produced microfluidic PDMS devices to test cell adhesion
 Established immunocytochemistry and fluorescent microscopy protocols for the lab
University at Buffalo, Advisor: Prof. Mattheos Koffas (Jan 2008-May 2009)
 Generated multiple E. coli gene knockouts to optimize the production of polyphenol
compounds and assessed strain performance by anaerobic fermentation and HPLC
Iowa State University, Advisors: Profs. SK Mallapragada, DS Sakaguchi (May 2008-Aug 2008)
 Cultured primary rat neurons on patterned substrates to guide differentiation and neurite
alignment for nerve regeneration
RELEVANT COURSEWORK
Biochemistry
Biomolecular Engineering
Cell Biology
DNA-Protein Interactions
General Physiology
Genetics
Immunology
Molecular Biology
Protein Engineering
Protein Structure and Function
Virology
LEADERSHIP/MANAGEMENT AND TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION







Mentored 6 undergraduate students on laboratory techniques and experimental design and analysis
Secured $900,000+ in research funds by contributing to proposal writing for the successful award of 3 out
of 4 grants
Multiple leadership positions including:
o Cell Culture Room Manager, Profs. Colby and Kloxin labs, UD (2012-2016)
o At-Large Representative, UD Colburn Club (2010-2011)
o Undergraduate Chapter President, UB Society for Biological Engineers (2009-2010)
Conducted a risk-reduction marketplace analysis with a team for high-throughput cellular analysis and lean
startup training with the NSF Innovation Corps Sites Program
Presented class lectures and mentored students on their group projects as a Teaching Assistant for:
o Systems Biology (Fall 2012)
o Bio-Based Materials (Fall 2014)
Presented scientific ideas by oral presentation and posters at over 12 different conferences and
departmental symposia, including 2 best poster awards
Volunteer outreach to local middle school students to communicate STEM ideas with hands-on
experiments (hydrogels, emulsions, bio-polymers, chromatography)
PUBLICATIONS
McHugh KP, Morozova OA, Colby DW. (2015) Tau Strains and their Propagation in Experimental Disease
Models. In The Prion Phenomena in Neurodegenerative Diseases: New Frontiers in Neuroscience;
Legname G, Giachin G, Ed.; Nova Science Publishers, Inc. p157-176.
Buffone A Jr, Mondal N, Gupta R, McHugh KP, Lau JT, Neelamegham S. (2013) Silencing alpha(1,3)fucosyltransferases in human leukocytes reveals a role for FUT9 enzyme during E-selectin-mediated cell
adhesion. J Biol Chem 288(3):1620-1633.
Ariza CA, McHugh KP, White SJ, Sakaguchi DS, Mallapragada SK. (2010) Extracellular matrix proteins and
astrocyte-derived soluble factors influence the differentiation and proliferation of adult neural progenitor
cells. J Biomed Mater Res A 94(3):816-24.
Chemler JA, Fowler ZL, McHugh KP, Koffas MA. (2010) Improving NADPH availability for natural product
biosynthesis in Escherichia coli by metabolic engineering. Metab Eng 12(2):96-104.
McHugh KP, Kaliszewski RL, Colby DW. “Optimization of cellular reprogramming library screening by
combinatorial analysis.” (in preparation)
McHugh KP*, Doolan KM*, Colby DW. “Directed evolution of anti-prion antibody ICSM18 fragment for
increased affinity and clearance of misfolded prion protein.” (in preparation)
McHugh KP, Morozova OA, Colby DW. “Intracellular propagation of tauopathy disease strains.” (in
preparation)
CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS

McHugh KP, Morozova OA, Colby DW. “Propagation of disease-associated tau strains in a cell culture
model” American Chemical Society BIOT Division event, Sept 2015, Villanova, PA. Poster.

McHugh KP, Morozova OA, Colby DW. “Propagation of disease-associated tau strains in a cell culture
model” CAG Triplet Repeat Disorders Gordon Research Seminar and Conference, May 2015, Lucca, IT.
Technical presentation and poster.

McHugh KP, Colby DW. “Neuronal reprogramming for an in vitro model of Huntington's Disease”
Hereditary Disease Foundation HD2014 Conference, Aug 2014, Cambridge, MA. Poster.

McHugh KP, Colby DW. “Neuronal reprogramming for an in vitro model of Huntington's Disease”
Northeast Regional IDeA Conference, Aug 2013, Newark, DE. Poster.

Buffone A Jr, Mondal N, McHugh KP, Lau JT, Neelamegham S. “Silencing alpha(1,3)-fucosyltransferases
in human leukocytes reveals differences in E-selectin ligand synthesis between humans and mice” AIChE
Annual Meeting, Oct 2012, Pittsburg, PA. Technical presentation.

McHugh KP, Buffone A Jr, Neelamegham S. “Identifying important fucosyltransferases in human leukocyte
recruitment” UB 6th Annual Celebration of Academic Excellence, Apr 2010, Buffalo, NY. Poster.

Fowler ZL, Chemler JA, McHugh KP, Koffas MA, “Developing metabolic workhorses through in silico
evolutionary optimization: Case studies in flavonoid biosynthesis” AIChE Annual Meeting, Nov 2009,
Nashville, TN. Technical presentation.

McHugh KP, Buffone A Jr, Neelamegham S. “Targeting important fucosyltransferases in leukocyte
recruitment and adhesion” UB Open House Research Symposium, Oct 2009, Buffalo, NY. Poster.

McHugh KP, Ariza CA, Sakaguchi DS, Mallapragada SK, “Effect of extracellular matrix on differentiation of
neural stem cells” Iowa State BioMAP Research Symposium, Aug 2008, Ames, IA. Poster.
AWARDS / HONORS
2015
2010
2010
2010
2010
2010
2009
2009
2009
2006–2010
Best poster, 2015 CAG Triplet Repeat Disorders GRC
Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Award of Distinction
AIChE Outstanding Senior Award
School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Senior Scholar Award
Finalist for 2010 UB Engineering Alumni Association Leaders in Excellence Award
Best poster, University at Buffalo 6th Annual Celebration of Academic Excellence
AIChE Donald F. and Mildred Topp Othmer National Scholarship Award
Society of Biological Engineering Outstanding Student Award
Chemical and Biological Engineering Academic Excellence Award
University at Buffalo Honors College Scholarship