Michael Wilfried Lehker May 1, 2014

CURRICULUM VITAE
Michael Wilfried Lehker
May 1, 2014
I.
Personal Data
Birth date:
Birthplace:
Citizenship Status:
Phone:
Email:
II.
III.
August 11, 1959
Möhlhorst, Germany
Resident
(956) 882-5046
[email protected]
Education
University of Texas Health
Science Center at San Antonio,
San Antonio, TX
Ph.D. Microbiology
Dissertation:” Studies on the Trichomonas vaginalis-Host Interaction:
Modulation of Physiological and Virulence Properties”
1991
University of Texas at El Paso, TX
M.S. in Biological Sciences
Thesis:” Analysis of Host-Parasite Interactions of Helminth Parasites
of the American Widgeon (Anas americanus), Gadwall (Anas strepera)
and the Common Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) from Southwest
Texas and Chihuahua, Mexico
1986
University of Texas at El Paso, TX
B.S. in Biological Sciences
Major: Microbiology
Minor: Chemistry
1982
Employment
University of Texas at Brownsville
Brownsville, TX
Department of Biomedicine
Associate Dean, Chair and Professor
20011-present
University of Texas at Brownsville
And Texas Southmost College, Brownsville, TX
Department of Biology
Chair and Professor
2008-2011
1
University of Texas at Brownsville
And Texas Southmost College, Brownsville, TX
Department of Biology
Professor
2007- 2008
University of Texas at Brownsville
And Texas Southmost College, Brownsville, TX
Department of Biology
Associate Professor
2003- 2007
Xenotope Diagnostics
San Antonio, Texas
Consultant
2001-2002
University of Texas Health
Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
Department of Microbiology
Assistant Research Professor
2000-2003
University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX
Department of Biological Sciences
Assistant Professor
1993-2000
University of Texas Health
Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
Department of Microbiology
Instructor
1992-1993
University of Texas Health
Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
Department of Microbiology
Post-Doctoral Fellow
1991-1992
University of Texas Health
Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
Department of Microbiology
Teaching Assistant
1985-1991
University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX
Department of Biological Sciences
Teaching Assistant
1983-1985
Cathedral High School, El Paso, TX
Chemistry Instructor
1984-1985
University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX
Tutoring and Learning Center
Tutor (Chemistry/Biology)
1982-1988
2
IV.
V.
Academic Appointments
Director Center for Biomedical Studies
Associate Dean
Chair
Associate Chair
Graduate Advisor M.S./M.S.I.S
Center for Biomedical Studies
Member RISE Program
Graduate Faculty
Member SCORE Advisory Board
Graduate Advisor Ph.D. Program
Senator Faculty Senate
Graduate Advisor M.S. Program
Member MARC Program
Member MBRS Program
Member Graduate Faculty Assembly
Faculty Border Biomedical Research Center
2014
2011
2008
2005
2004
2004
2004
2003
1998
1997
1996
1995
1995
1995
1994
1993
Professional Affiliations
American Society of Parasitologists
American Society for Microbiology
American Society for the Advancement of Science
Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science
VI.
Honors and Awards
Tenure
Exceptional Merit UTB/TSC
Nominated CASE Professor
Nominated Chancellor’s Council Outstanding Teaching Award
Councilor –American Society for Microbiology Rio Grande Branch
National Science Teachers Association/ Gustav Ohaus Corporation
Award for innovation in science teaching at the college level.
Title: Students learn science best by doing science
Faculty Mentor Microbial Discovery Workshop (ASM). 1997.
Delta State University, Cleveland, Mississipi
Datus M. Hammond Award
3
2007
2005
2005
2005
1999
1997
1997
1985
VII.
Invited Presentations
Invited Speaker, A-Prime Time Summer 2012 Conference, South Padre 2012
Island, Texas. Innovative Teaching Strategies with Kristin Gosselink
(UTEP) and Joanna Rampersad-Amons (UTPA)
Invited Speaker, Northern University of Arizona, Survival in the
Iron Desert: The Metalonome and Trichomonad Pathogenicity
2006
Amitochondraite Protozoan Genome Sequencing Projects.
The Wellcome Trust. Hinxton, Cambridgeshire. May 20th, 2002
2002
Invited Speaker, University of Texas Brownsville, Genetic Control of
Iron uptake in Trichomonas vaginalis
2002
Invited Speaker, XVII Annual Meeting of the Brazilian Society of
Protozoology, Brazil, Gene Inactivation in Trichomonas vaginalis
2001
Invited Speaker, American Society of Parasitologists, Monterey, CA.
Trichomonas vaginalis—Iron uptake pathways
1999
Trichomoniasis. NIH-RCMI Directors’ Meeting and Bi-national
Symposium on Border Parasitic Diseases, El Paso, TX, 1995.
1995
Pathogenic mechanisms of Trichomonas vaginalis. Invited Speaker.
U.T.E.P- EPCC Bridge Program, El Paso, Texas, 1995.
1995
Invited Speaker, American Society of Microbiologist, Las Vegas, NM.
1994
Invited Speaker, Eighth International Congress of Parasitology,
Izmir, Turkey.
1994
VIII.
Bibliography
1.
Books and/or Chapters:
Alderete J.F., R. Arroyo, D.C. Dailey, J.A. McKay and M.W. Lehker. 1992.
Molecular Biology of Trichomonas vaginalis - Host Interrelationship. In: Molecular
Biology of Sexually Transmitted Diseases.
D.J.M. Wright, and L. Archard,
(eds.).Chapman and Hall, London.
Alderete J.F.,M.W. Lehker, and R. Arroyo. 1995. Analysis for adhesions and
specific cytoadhesion of Trichomonas vaginalis. Methods in Enzymology, Vol 252: J.N.
Abelson and M.I. Simon. (eds)., Academic Press, Inc., Orlando FL.
4
2. Peer-reviewed Publications:
1.Shchelkunova A, Ermolinsky B, Boyle M, Mendez I, Lehker M, Martirosyan KS,
Kazansky AV. 2013,Tuning of alternative splicing--switch from proto-oncogene to tumor
suppressor. Int J Biol Sci: 9(1):45-54.
2. Lehker, M.W., M. Benchimol and J.F. Alderete. 2004. Assigning function to putative
virulence genes of Trichomonas vaginalis: Utility of targeted
selectable
gene
replacement. Recent Res. Devel. Microbiol. 8: 1-32.
3. Alderete, J. F., J. Nguyen, V. Mundodi and M.W. Lehker. 2004. Heme-iron increases
levels of AP65-mediated adherence by Trichomonas vaginalis. Microb. Pathogen. 36:
263-271
4. Garcia, A., T.-H. Chang, M. Benchimol, D. Klumpp, M.W. Lehker, and J.F. Alderete.
2003. Iron and contact with host cells surface express adhesins of Trichomonas
vaginalis. Mol. Microbiol. 47:1207-1224
5, Alderete, J.F., M. Benchimol, M.W. Lehker, and M.-L. Crouch. 2002. The complex
fibronectin-Trichomonas vaginalis interactions and trichomonosis. Parasitol. Int’l. 51:285292.
6. Alderete, J.F., K.W. Millsap, M.W. Lehker and M. Benchimol. 2001. Enzymes on
microbial pathogens and Trichomonas vaginalis: molecular mimicry and functional
diversity. Cellular Microbiology. 3:1-13
7. Lehker, M.W. and J.F. Alderete. 2000. Biology of trichomonosis. Current Opinion in
Infectious Diseases. 13:37-45.
8. Lehker, M.W. and J.F. Alderete. 1999. Resolution of six chromosomes of
Trichomonas vaginalis and conservation of size and number among isolates. Journal of
Parasitology. 85(5): 976-979.
9. Lehker, M.W. and D. Sweeney. 1999. Trichomonad invasion of the mucous layer
requires adhesions, mucinases and motility. Sexually Transmitted Infections. 75(4):231238.
10. Alderete, J.F., D. Provenzano and M.W. Lehker. 1995. Iron mediates Trichomonas
vaginalis resistance to complement lysis.Microbial Pathogenesis. 19:93-103
11. Alderete, J. F., M.W. Lehker and R. Arroyo. 1995.The mechanisms and molecules
involved in cytoadherence and pathogenesis of Trichomonas vaginalis. Parasitology
Today. 11(2): 75-86.
12. Alderete, J.F. Arroyo R. and M.W. Lehker. 1995.Analysis for adhesins and specific
cytoadhesion of Trichomonas vaginalis. Methods in Enzymology. 253:407-414.
13. Alderete, J.F., R. Arroyo and M.W. Lehker. 1994. Identification of fibronectin as a
receptor for bacterial cytoadherence. Methods in Enzymology. 236:318-333.
14. Lehker, M.W. and J.F. Alderete. 1992.Iron regulates growth of Trichomonas
vaginalis and the expression of immunogenic trichomonad proteins.Mol. Microbiol.
6:123-132.
15. Alderete J.F., R Arroyo, D.C. Dailey, J. Engbring, M.A. Koshnan, M.W. Lehker and
J. McKay. 1992. Molecular Cell Biology Human Disease Series: 1:173-202.
16. Lehker, M.W., R. Arroyo and J.F. Alderete. 1991.The regulation by iron of the
synthesis of adhesions and cytoadherence cytoadherence levels in Trichomonas
vaginalis. J. Exp. Med. 174:311-318.
17. Lehker, M.W. and J.F. Alderete.1990.Properties of Trichomonas vaginalis grown
under chemostat growth conditions. Genitourin. Med. 66:193-199.
5
18. Lehker, M.W., Chang T.H., Dailey D.C. and J.F.Alderete. 1990. Specific erythrocyte
binding is an additional nutrient acquisition system for Trichomonas vaginalis. J. Exp.
Med. 171:2165-2170.
3.
Abstracts
1. Irma Cisneros and Michael W. Lehker. 2007. Proliferation and Protein
expression Patterns of the Oyster Padrasite Perkinsus Marnus are Responsive to
Extracellular and Intracellular Iron Availability.UTB/TSC Research Symposium.
2. Gloria Puente and Michael W. Lehker. 2007. Identification and
Characterization of the Labile Iron Pool in Trichomonas vaginalis. UTB/TSC Research
Symposium.
3. Cynthia S. Ramos and Michael W. Lehker. 2007. Perkinsus marinus
possesses an Externally Directed Iron-Responsive Ferric reductase. UTB/TSC Research
Symposium.
4. Cynthia Ramos, Perla Martinez and Michael W. Lehker. 2006. Perkinsus
marinus Possesses an Externally Directed Iron-Responsive Ferric Reductase. Society
for the Advancement of Chicano and Native Americans in Science. Orlando, Florida.
5. Irma Cisneros, Ethel Bradbury, Gloria Puente, Jesse Gonzales and Michael
W. Lehker. 2006. Proliferation and Protein Expression Patterns of the Oyster Parasite
Perkinsus marinus are Responsive to Extracellular and Intracellular Iron Availability.
Society for the Advancement of Chicano and Native Americans in Science. Orlando,
Florida.
6.Jesse Gonzales, Angelina Rodriquez and Michael W. Lehker. 2006.
Development of a Vaginal Epithelial Organotypic Raft Culture System for Studying the
Host-Parasite Interaction of Trichomonas vaginalis. Society for the Advancement of
Chicano and Native Americans in Science. Orlando, Florida.
7. Alderete J.F., Garcia A.F., Chang T-H, Lehker M.W., Mundodi, V., Kucknoor,
A., Nguyen, J., Benchimol M., and D.J. Klump. Trichomonas vaginalis virulence,
cytoadherence and a rapid diagnostic. Proceedings of the International Society for
Sexually Transmitted Disease Research, 2003 ISSTDR Congress, Ottawa, Canada.
(July23-27).
8. Lehker M.W. and J.F. Alderete. 2001. Development of a gene inactivation
system for Trichomonas vaginalis. American Society for Cell Biology. Washington, DC.
9. Lehker M.W. and J.F. Alderete. 2001. Trichomonas vaginalis cell cycle
progression is contact-dependent. The XVII Annual Meeting of the Brazilian Society of
Protozoology. Rio deJaneiro, Brazil.
10. Alderete, J.F., L.Chang, M.W. Lehker, A. Garcia and M. Benchimol. 2001.
Iron modulates location and epitope recognition of multigene family adhesions by
Trichomonas vaginalis. The XVII Annual Meeting of the Brazilian Society of
Protozoology. Rio deJaneiro, Brazil
11. Garcia A.F. and M.W. Lehker. 1999. Characterization of Trichomonas
vaginalis DNases. American Society for Microbiology, Rio Grande Branch, Albuquerque,
NM.
12. Tarango M. and M.W. Lehker. 1999. Iron-uptake and distribution in the
parasitic protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis. Society for Microbiology, Rio Grande Branch,
Albuquerque, NM.
13. Villalobos H. and M.W. Lehker. The secretion pathway of trichomonad
DNases.1999. Society for Microbiology, Rio Grande Branch, Albuquerque, NM.
6
14. Tarango M. and M.W. Lehker. 1998. Iron uptake from lactoferrin by
Trichomonas vaginalis requires a surface ferric reductase. Abstracts of the American
Society for Microbiology, Atlanta Georgia.
15. Garcia A. F. and M.W. Lehker 1998. Characterization of Trichomonas
vaginalis DNase activity. Abstracts of the American Society for Microbiology, Atlanta
Georgia.
16. Maier S.M. and M.W. Lehker. 1998. The development of a rapid-screen
analysis for putative virulence genes in Trichomonas vaginalis. Abstracts of the
American Society for Microbiology, Atlanta Georgia.
17. Tarango M. and M.W. Lehker. 1996. Purification of the cell-surface ferric
reductase from Trichomonas vaginalis. Abstracts of the American Society for
Microbiology, New Orleans, LA.
18. Sweeney D.A. and M.W. Lehker. 1996.Characterization of the interaction
between Trichomonas vaginalis and mucin. Abstracts of the American Society for
Microbiology, New Orleans,LA.
19. Vidal C.I. and M.W. Lehker. 1996. The development of transfection
methodology in the protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis. Abstracts of the American Society
for Microbiology, New Orleans, LA.
20. Jaquez M.S. and M.W. Lehker. 1996. Purification and identification of
Trichomonas vaginalis DNases. Abstracts of the American Society for Microbiology, New
Orleans, LA.
21. Hoffman P. and M.W. Lehker. 1996. Molecular cloning, sequencing and
southern blot analysis of cysteine proteinase genes in Trichomonas vaginalis. Abstracts
of the American Society for Microbiology, New Orleans, LA.
22.Gere S.S. and M.W. Lehker. 1996. Cloning of the lactoferrin receptor of
Trichomonas vaginalis. Abstracts of the American Society for Microbiology, New
Orleans, LA.
23.Herrera S. and M.W. Lehker. 1996. Microtiter plate adherence assay for
Trichomonas vaginalis. Abstracts of the American Society for Microbiology, New
Orleans, LA.
24.Salcido R. and M.W. Lehker. 1996. Cloning of iron-regulated genes of
Trichomonas vaginalis by DDRT/PCR. Abstracts of the American Society for
Microbiology, New Orleans, LA.
25.Tarango, M. and M.W. Lehker. Trichomonas vaginalis ferric uptake is
mediated by a cell surface ferric reductase. American Society of Microbiology,
Washington D.C. 1995.
26. Jacques M. S., L. Castillo and M.W. Lehker.Purification and Identification of
Trichomonas vaginalis DNases. Eleventh Meeting of the International Society for STD
Research, New Orleans, LA, 1995.
27.Sweeney D.A. and M.W. Lehker. Characterization of the interaction between
Trichomonas vaginalis and mucus glycoproteins. Eleventh Meeting of the International
Society for STD Research, New Orleans, LA, 1995.
28.Tarango M, S. Das and M.W. Lehker.Characterization of a cell surface ferric
reductase in Trichomonas vaginalis. Eleventh Meeting of the International Society for
STD Research, New Orleans, LA, 1995.
29. Lehker, M.W. Complement Resistance in Trichomonas vaginalis. Invited
Speaker. American Society of Microbiology, Las Vegas, NA, 1994.
30.Lehker, M.W. and J.F. Alderete. 1994. The role of cysteine proteinases in the
biology of Trichomonas vaginalis. Abstracts of the VIII International Congress in
Parasitology, Izmir, October.
7
31.Lehker, M.W. and J.F. Alderete. 1993. Iron regulated pH-sensitive cysteine
proteinase modulates resistance to complement in Trichomonas vaginalis. Abstracts of
the IXth Int’l Conference on AIDS, IVth STD World Congress, Berlin, Germany,June.
32.Lehker, M.W. and J.F. Alderete. 1992. Iron regulates resistance to
complement in Trichomonas vaginalis. Abstracts of the American Society for
Microbiology, New Orleans, LA.
33. Lehker, M.W. and J.F. Alderete. Iron regulates several Trichomonas
vaginalis virulence properties and expression of protein immunogens. Gordon Research
Conference on Molecular and Immunological Aspects of Parasitism. New London, NH,
1991.
34.Lehker, M.W. and R. Arroyo. Regulation of adherence and adhesin
expression in Trichomonas vaginalis by iron. Abstracts of the American Society for
Microbiology, Dallas, Tx, 1991.
35. Lehker, M.W. and J.F. Alderete. Iron levels modulate adherence of
Trichomonas vaginalis NYH 286 to HeLa cells. Abstracts of the American Society for
Microbiology, Anaheim, CA, 1990.
36. Alderete, J.F., Dailey D.C., Chang T.H. and M.W. Lehker. Iron and lipid
acquisition for growth and multiplication follow specific Trichomonas vaginalis binding
and lysis of human erythrocytes. Abstracts of UCLA Symposium on "Parasites:
Molecular biology vaccines and drug design",Keystone, CO, 1989
37. Lehker, M.W. and A.G. Canaris. Analysis of host-parasite interactions of
helminth parasites in three species of duck. Abstracts of Rocky Mountain Conference of
Parasitologists, 1985.
38. Lehker, M.W. and A.G. Canaris. Parasites of waterfowl from Southwest
Texas and North Central Chihuahua:The american widgeon, Anas americana and the
gadwall, Anas strepera. Abstracts of the Southwest Association of Naturalists. 1984.
39. Lehker, M.W. and A.G. Canaris. Parasites of waterfowl from Southwest
Texas and North Central Chihuahua, Mexico. Abstracts of Rocky Mountain Conference
of Parasitologists, 1983.
4.
Other publications:
Lehker, M.W. 1986. Analysis of host-parasite interactions of helminth parasites of the
american widgeon (Anas americana), gadwall (Anas strepera)and the common mallard
(Anas platyrhynchos) from Southwest Texas and Chihuahua, Mexico. Master's thesis,
University of Texas at El Paso, Department of Biological Sciences: 96 pp.
Lehker, M.W. 1991. Studies on the Trichomonas vaginalis-host interaction: Modulation
of physiological and virulence properties. Ph.D.Dissertation, The University of Texas
Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas, Department of Microbiology, 190 pp
8
X.
Departmental Responsibilities
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XI.
Co-Chair, Development of BS. Biomedical Sciences 2011-2012
Director of Bridge Program UTMB, 2010 -present
Chair Personnel Committee, 2006 – 2008
Chair Curriculum Committee, 2006 - 2007
Chair Graduate Committee, 2006 - 2008
Chair Doctoral program development, 2006 - 2008
Search Committee, Infectious Disease, 2005 - 2006
Search Committee, Marine Biology, 2005 - 2005
Laboratory Coordinator for Microbiology Laboratory, 2004 - 2005
Director Analytical Molecular Core Facility, 2004 - present
Search Committee, Environmental Biologist, 2004 - 2004
Dean’s Search Committee, 2003 - 2004
Chair Finance Committee, 2003 - 2004
Chair Strategic Planning Committee,2003 - 2004
Chair Graduate Curriculum Committee, 2003- present
Graduate Program Coordinator, 2003- 2008
Departmental State Employee Charitable Campaign, 2003 - 2005
Curriculum Committee, 2003 - current
NCRR Research Building Committee, 2003 - 2004
Masters Development Committee, 2003 - 2003
Student Fee Assessment Committee, 2003 - 2003
Chair- Biomedical Tract Development Committee, 1998 - 2000.
Graduate Admission Committee (Ph.D. and M.S.), 1998 - 2000.
MIE Departmental Liaison Upper Division Undergraduate Curriculum
1997-2000.
Search Committee, Technician, Molecular Core,1996.
Faculty Search Committee, Molecular Pathogenesis Position,1995 1995.
Search Committee, Technician, Tissue Culture Facility,1995 - 1995.
Committee on Outcomes Assessment, Chairman, 1995 - 1996.
Committee for Ph.D. proposal development, 1994-1995.
Undergraduate Advisor 1993-1999
Graduate Advisor 1995-1998
University Responsibilities
Director, Center for Biomedical Studies, 2014
Responsible for administering the Center and establishing policies that
assure CBS success; making non-binding recommendations for the
appointment and termination of faculty to the Advisory Board;
recommending new academic programs in biomedicine to fit university
and regional needs; pursuing funding and support faculty in their efforts
to obtain funding for research related to the work of the CBS; seeking
collaborations and coordinating research and education efforts with
internal and external organizations and institutions; and ensuring that
all CBS activities are performed according to federal, state, University
of Texas System, and university regulations, rules and procedures,
9
advise the CBS Advisory Board and assist in the conduct of board
meetings.
Member: Center for Teaching and Learning Advisory Board.
Charge: to advise the Center for Teaching and Learning on faculty
development needs and to support the centers mission with faculty
constituencies.
Member: Search Committee Director for Academic Assessment, 2014.
Member: BCRS and IBC Committees, 2014
Charge: Review research protocols for compliance with applicable
federal, state and university regulation.
Member: Search Committee Grant Writer, 2014
Co-Chair – Project South Texas Working Group Biomedical Sciences,
2013
Charge: Develop a transformative plan for biomedical education at
the new South Texas University. Specifically to recommend a possible
academic structure and programming to be offered by the collective
disciplines within the new university
Member - Project South Texas Working Group Health Professions, 2013
Charge: Develop a transformative plan for health professions
education at the new South Texas University. Specifically to recommend
a possible academic structure and programming to be offered by the
collective disciplines within the new university
Member -- South Texas School of Medicine. Founding Dean Search
Committee. May 2013
Charge: To select outstanding candidates for the Dean of the South
Texas Medical School and organize visits by invited candidates to the
area.
Participant --Discovery Leadership Council. UT-System Austin TX.
March 21, 2013
Charge: To discuss models of research funding
Co-Chair – Search Committee for Bioinformatics Faculty Postions
Member: -- Graduate Program Review Committee, 2012
Charge: To review every graduate degree program. Examine the
operations of the degree, determine if generates sufficient revenue, and
make recommendations about efficiencies. Recommend new graduate
programs that will serve our region and where possibilities for enrollment
are healthy
Member --Program Review Committee, 2012
Charge: To evaluate proposed changes in two programs in the
College of Liberal Arts
University Affiliate- UTMB Advisory Council THECB Minority Health
Research and Education Grant. Nov, 2012
Charge: To advice on progress on the implementation of grant
objectives.
Co-organizer,UTB TIME Conference. Collaboration in Delivery of TIME
Program. UTB, August 14th, 2012.
Member -- University Research Council, 2012-2014
Co-Chair -- Provost Taskforce Reorganization of the CBSHP, 2012
Member -- Search Committee Director of Office of Sponsored Programs,
2012
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Member-- 21st Century University Commission; Pathways through
College to 21st Century Careers, 2012
Chair -- CBSHP Dean’s Search Committee, 2011-2012
Member-- MBRS RISE Program, 2011
Achieving the Dream – Member Student Success Leadership Team, 2011
Chair Search Committee Dean College of Biomedical Sciences and
Health Professions, 2011-2012
Transformation in Medical Education Institutional Co-Director, 2011
Member --Doctorate in Physical Therapy Program Planning Committee,
2011
Chair-- South Texas Rio Grande Valley Initiative: Health Related
Education, 2011
Chair of the Provost Health Professions Education and Research
Working Group, 2010
Foundation of Excellence, Chair Learning Dimension, 2009-2010
Member --Search Committee, Dean College of Science, Mathematics
and Technology, 2009
Member Search Committee, Activity Director Title V, 2009
Member --QEP Assessment Committee 2008
Member --QEP Implementation Committee 2008
Member --QEP Planning Committee 2008
Member --Strategic Planning Committee 2008
SACS Reaffirmation Team Member 2008
Taskforce on Diabetes and Obesity, 2005
Biomedical Research and Outreach CAC, 2005
Member RISE, 2004
Graduate Advisor, 2004
College Curriculum Committee, 2004
Search Committee – Dean of Science, 2003
MIE Strategic Planning Force 1997-2000
MBRS Advisory Committee 1995 - 1999
Faculty Senate 1995-1997
Graduate Advisor 1995-1998
Committee on Graduate Scholarship 1994-1999
XII.
Professional Service
Medical School Advisory Committee on Curriculum, 2014
Online Biomedical Science Degree Working Group, Institute for
Transformational Learning UT-System, 2014
Harmony Science Academy 6TH Annual Science Fair, December 7th,
2013
Reviewer for Abstracts submitted for 2013 ABRCMS meeting in Nashville
Judge Rio Grande Valley Regional Science and Engineering Fair March
3th, 2012.
UTMB -- DPT Advisory Council 2012 to current
Harmony Science Academy 4TH Annual Science Fair, November 12th,
2011
Scorpion Scholar Mentor 2011 – Ashley Vega
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Scorpion Scholar Mentor 2010 – Gustavo Garza
Judge Rio Grande Valley Regional Science and Engineering Fair. March
7th, 2009.
Guest lecture – Medical laboratory, 2006
Guest lecture – Medical Laboratory, 2005
Science Fair Judge, Episcopal Day School, 2005
Seminar Class – Trichomonas a Urogenital Carcinogen, 2004
Gorgas Science Club Presentation – Biology, Morals and ETHICS, 2003
LOTUS Program – Science Advisor to 3 Student research projects, 2003
LOTUS Program – Science Presentation, 2003
Institutional Review Board, Sierra Medical Center, 1996-2000
Institutional Review Board, El Paso Institute for Medical Research and
Development, 1994-1997
Career Day Speaker, Del Norte Elementary School, 1995
Science Fair Consultant, Del Norte Elementary School, 1994
Science Judge, Sun City Science Fair, UTEP, 1994
XIII.
Reviewer (Scientific Articles)
Archives Medical Research
Genitourinary Medicine 1996-present
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 1998-present
Clinical Microbiology Reviews
XIV.
Professional Development Activities
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Transformation in Medical Education. Workshops. MD Anderson,
Houston, Texas April 22-23, 2014.
“Minority Scientists: Where are they and why should we care?” University
of Texas at Brownsville, Brownsville Texas March 17, 2014.
10th Annual Innovations in Health Science Education Conference. Online
Learning: New Frontiers & New Faces The University of Texas at Austin;
Austin, Texas Feb 20-21, 2014.
The Intentional Mentor: Effective Mentorship of Undergraduate Science
Students. University of Texas at Brownsville, Brownsville Texas Jan 27th,
2014.
Transformation in Medical Education. Workshops. University of Texas JJ
Pickle Campus, Austin Texas October 14-15, 2013.
2013 SACNAS National Conference. Strengthening the Nation through
diversity, innovation and leadership in STEM. San Antonio, Texas,
October 3-6, 2013.
TSAHP 36th Annual Conference on Education Innovations and
Technology. Texas State University-San Marcos. September 26-27,
2013.
A-PRIME TIME Summer Conference 2013. Innovative Strategies for Premedical and medical education. Houston Texas, July 14-17th.
NIH Training, Workforce development and Diversity Program Directors’
Meeting. Chicago, Illinois. June 12-14, 2013.
9th Annual Innovations in Online Learning. San Antonio, Texas. May 2224, 2012.
Freshman Research Initiative. 2013 Inaugural Annual Conferences.
Austin, Texas. May 8-10.
9th Annual Innovations in Health Science Education Conference.
Sustaining a highly productive academic environment: Raising the priority
for Mentoring: The University of Texas at Austin; Austin, Texas Feb 2122, 2013.
NIMHD Grantees Meeting: Science of eliminating health disparities.
Building a healthier society, integrating science, policy and practice.
National Arbor, Maryland, Dec 17-19.
Faculty Development Workshop. Problem-based learning and Facilitation
Skills for Active Learning. UTB. Dec. 14, 2012.
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2012 Reinventing Instruction and Learning Conference. Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board. Austin, Texas, October 03-04, 2012.
TSAHP 35th Annual Conference. Achieving success through
interprofessional collaboration. UT Health Science Center San Antonio,
Texas. Sept 27-28, 2012.
Transformation in Medical Education. USMLE-Style Item Writing
Workshop. University of Texas JJ Pickle Campus, Austin Texas
September 10-11, 2012.
Getting beyond covering content: A key to student motivation and
success. University of Texas at Brownsville, Brownsville, Texas, Monday,
Aug 20, 2012.
Designing Group Work that Really Works. University of Texas at
Brownsville, Brownsville, Texas, Monday, Aug 20, 2012.
Critical Thinking Workshop, University of Texas at Brownsville,
Brownsville, Texas August 22 and 23, 2012.
Penn State Academic Leadership Academy. Pennsylvania State
University, University Park, Pennsylvania June 24-28, 2012.
A-PRIME TIME: Innovative Strategies for Pre-medical and Medical
Education. Summer 2012 Conference – South Padre Island, Texas. July
9-11.
8th Annual Innovations in Online Learning. San Antonio, Texas. May 2325, 2012.
Transformation in Medical Education Spring Workshop. Managing
Change and Competency Based Assessment. University of Texas,
Austin, April 13, 2012.
8th Annual Innovations in Health Science Education Conference.
Assessing Students in Health Science Education: How we Teach; How
they Learn.The University of Texas at Austin; Austin, Texas Feb 23-24,
2012.
What Works? Research-Based High-Impact Practices for Student
Success. University of Texas at Brownsville; Brownsville Texas, Jan 11th,
2012.
Assessment of Student Success and Achievement. University of Texas at
Brownsville; Brownsville Texas, Jan 11th, 2012.
7th Annual Innovations in Health Science Education Conference.
Interprofessional Health Science Eduaction: The Innovation Imperative.
The University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio; San
Antonio, Texas May 18th, 2011
14
Competency based education and performance assessment.
Teleconference. University of Texas at Brownsville; Brownsville
Texas,Feb. 16th 2011.
American Association of State Colleges and Universities, Re-imagining
Undergraduate Education, Academic Affairs Summer Meeting, Chicago,
Illinois, July 29-31, 2010.
Workshop: Improving Assessment Practices. University of Texas at
Brownsville; Brownsville Texas, August 20th 2009
Workshop: Fostering Deep Learning in Students. University of Texas at
Brownsville; Brownsville Texas, August 20th 2009
Community Seminar by the Center for Biomedical Studies: Sexually
Transmitted Diseases. University of Texas at Brownsville March 23rd,
2009.
Workshop: Writing Assignments, Rubrics and Assessment. University of
Texas at Brownsville; Brownsville Texas, August 19th, 2008.
Stategies for Success Science Education Workshop. University of Texas
Austin; Austin Texas February 24th 2007.
NIH-MBRS Workshop, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston Texas, 2004
MIE visit to University of Arizona, June 1996
Microcosm, ASM, Curriculum Guide to Exploring Microbial Space, Delta
State University, 1997
CETAL, Teaching Portfolio Workshop, 1998
CETAL, Too much to read and understand workshop, 1998
XV.
Other Professional Activities
MBRS RISE Program Mentor 2004 to present
Gorgas Science Club – Faculty Sponsor and Advisor
XVI.
Thesis Supervised
1
Sweeney. 1997. The Mechanism by which Trichomonas vaginalis crosses the
vaginal mucus layer.
1. Hua. 1998. Lactoferrin iron uptake pathway of Trichomonas vaginalis.
2. Ko. 1999. The secretion pathway of hydrolytic enzymes in Trichomonas
vaginalis.
3. Garcia. 2000. Characterization of Trichomonas vaginalis DNases.
15
4. Tarango. 2000. Regulation of iron uptake and utilization by the parasitic
protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis.
5. Nelson. 2000. Acquisition of transferrin iron by Trichomonas vaginalis.
XVIII. Grants (funded)
NIH/BUILD Initiative 1P20MD008736-01
BUILD – South Texas
Co-PI
09/25/13-03/31/14
$184,771
NIH/NIGMS 5R25GM065925-10
MBRS RISE Program at UTB
PI
07/01/13-06/30/17
$1,538,908
NIH/NCMHD 5P20MD001091
Developing Biomedical Research
Infrastructure at UTB/TSC
Co-PI
09/30/09-4/30/14
$2,795,515
NIH/NCMHD 1P20MD001091
Developing Biomedical Research
Infrastructure at UTB/TSC
Subproject PI
11/8/04-10/31/09
$544,036
MBRS-SCORE NIH # 3S06GM0g885-02S1
Iron Metabolism and Virulence Gene
Regulation in Trichomonas vaginalis
PI
8/1/04-7/31/07
$422,394
USDA
Iron-acquisition system of Perkinsus Marinus
PI
10/1/04-9/31/06
$99,820
MBRS-SCORE NIH # 2S06GM08012-29
Molecular Analysis of Environmental
Regulated DNases of Trichomonas vaginalis
Subproject PI
6/1/95-5/31/99
$496,490
MBRS-SCORE NIH # 2S06GM08012-33
Molecular regulation of Iron uptake by
Trichomonas vaginalis
Subproject PI
6/1/99-5/31/00
$402,280
University Research Institute
Analysis of Trichomonas Vaginalis DNases
By two-dimensional substrate gel electrophoresis
PI
9/1/94-8/31/99
$3500
16
MIE-NSF
Course Development Funding Request for
Biology 3105 and Biology 1107
Co-PI
$20,136
MIE-NSF
Students Learn Science best by doing
Science
Co-PI
1996
$51,030
MIE-NSF
Student Course Facilitators for Biology
1107 MIE Experimental Sections
Co-PI
1997
$16,083
Predoctoral Fellow, NIH Training Grant T32-A1-07271
Postdoctoral Fellow, NIH Training Grant T32-A1-07271
XIX.
1996
Research Students Supervised
Graduate Students
Ana Garcia
Melissa Tarango
Daniel Nelson
Daniel Sweeney
Shannon Maier
Linda Ko
Wei Hua
Harini Ramachandra
Undergraduates (Support)
UTB
Felicia Farhquar (RISE)
Perla Martinez (RISE)
Jessie Gonzales (RIMI)
Israel Pena
John Michael Castro
James Cullivier (RISE)
Ethel Bradbury (RISE)
Gloria Puente (MBRS/SCORE)
Angelina Rodriquez (RISE)
17
Irma Cisneros (RISE)
Cynthia Ramos (RISE)
Andrew Ramos (LSAMP)
Manuel Juarez (LSAMP)
Amanda Garza (RIMI)
Ellie Juarez (RISE)
Jackie Cuellar (RISE)
Jennifer Espinales
Andres Ibarra (RISE)
Nicsa V. Tanco (RISE)
Ericka Rangel
Myriam Hinojosa
Ricardo Munoz
Brandon Muniz (HDSP)
Jesus Ramirez
Marcos Perez (RISE)
Cecilia Orta
Lourdes Valdez (RISE)
Ana Marie Herrera
Hwan Yi (RISE)
UTEP
XX.
Lilian Macias
Gilbert Lara
Lisa Castillo
Pia Hoffman (MBRS)
Sylvia Herrera(MBRS)
Marco Baca(MBRS)
Claudia Vidal (MARC)
Racquel Salcido (AMP)
Martha Jacques (HHMI)
Shannon Gere (MIE/Staley)
Ana Garcia
Henry Villalobos (MBRS)
Jeanne Velasco (MARC)
Stephen Edwards (MBRS)
Eric Vechot
David Edwards (MBRS)
Martha Ortiz
Tony Hernandez
Daniel Arrieta
Ramon Ramirez
Eric Alvarez
Jaime Contreras
Seratna Guadarama
Maria Quevedo
Martha Estrada (Bridges)
Teaching
18
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
General Biology Laboratory. Undergraduate teaching. University of
Texas at El Paso.
Animal Parasitology Laboratory. Undergraduate teaching. University of
Texas at El Paso.
Human Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory. Undergraduate teaching.
University of Texas at El Paso.
Medical Microbiology Laboratory. Medical student teaching. University
of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.
Dental Microbiology Laboratory. Dental student teaching. University of
Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.
Introductory Biology for non-majors. Undergraduate teaching (fall
1993).University of Texas at El Paso.
Molecular Cell Biology. Undergraduate teaching.(spring 1994, fall
1994, spring 1995, fall 1995, fall 1996). University of Texas at El Paso.
Introductory Biology for majors. Undergraduate teaching (fall 1995, fall
1997) University of Texas at El Paso.
Introductory Biology for Honors Students. Undergraduate teaching (fall
1995, fall 1996). University of Texas at El Paso.
Molecular Pathogenesis. Graduate Teaching (spring 1996,spring 1997).
University of Texas at El Paso.
Cell Physiology. Graduate Teaching (spring 1996). University of Texas
at El Paso.
Pathogenic
Microbiology.
Undergraduate
Teaching
(spring,
1997,1996,1999,2000) University of Texas at El Paso.
Seminar. Graduate Teaching (spring 1998). University of Texas at El
Paso
Molecular Parasitology. Ph.D. level course (fall 1998). University of
Texas at El Paso.
Molecular Pathogenesis. Graduate Course (spring 1999). University of
Texas at El Paso.
Molecular Techniques. Ph.D. level course (fall 1999). University of
Texas at El Paso
Microbiology Laboratory. Undergraduate teaching (fall 2003, spring
2004, summer 2004, fall 2004). University of Texas at Brownsville and
Texas Southmost College
Microbiology. Undergraduate teaching (fall 2003, spring 2004, summer
2004, fall 2004, spring 2005, summer 2005, fall 2005,) University of
Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College
Medical Microbiology. Undergraduate Teaching (summer 2004)
University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College
Bioethics. Undergraduate Teaching (fall 2004, fall 2005) University of
Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College
Advanced Cell and Molecular Biology. Graduate Teaching (spring
2006). University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College
Molecular Techniques and Laboratory Instrumentation. Graduate
Teaching (fall 2006). University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas
Southmost College
19
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
General Biology. Undergraduate Teaching (fall 2004, summer 2005)
University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College
Topics in Biology. Chemical Logic of Life. Graduate and
Undergraduate. (spring 2005). University of Texas at Brownsville and
Texas Southmost College.
Genetics
Topics in Biology; Developmental Biology
Topic in Biology: Medical Virology
Medical Microbiology
BMED 1106 -- Introductory Medical Microbiology
BMED 3121 – Independent Research
Additional Courses
1. Seminar
2. Research Problems in Biology
3. Internship
4. Thesis
5. Laborator
Research Statement
Infectious disease research is critical for our region where tuberculosis
and other pathogens may find a suitable host in our poor population. Sexually
transmitted diseases whose prevalence is significantly higher among minority
populations, especially impact the health and reproductive health of our primarily
young border population. Despite this knowledge, and continuing public sexually
transmitted disease (STD) education and improvements in diagnosis and
treatment the epidemic spread of STD organisms has not diminished nor halted.
The ongoing threat of STDs and HIV to public health, especially by heterosexual
transmission, has made efforts aimed at developing effective vaccines
imperative. Trichomonas vaginalis is the major, non-viral sexually transmitted
disease in this country and not only infects 167 million people annually but
persists at a prevalence of 5-46%. Recent publications indicate that this parasite
is a major factor in promoting transmission of HIV, in causing adverse pregnancy
outcomes, and in predisposing women to atypical pelvic inflammatory disease,
cervical cancer and infertility.
My major research interest is the elucidation of cellular iron metabolism.
Most if not all cells require iron for their survival. Iron, although not readily bioavailable, is an essential element for growth and activity of many enzymes
20
involved in electron transfer reactions, which are critical for the energy needs of
the cell. We feel that iron transport should be succinctly characterized into three
separate but concurrent phases. The first of these is the acquisition phase. This
includes both iron mobilization from the environment and subsequent interaction
with the cell membrane. The second phase is the transport of the metal ion
across the cellular membrane with the subsequent release into the cytoplasm.
The final phase consists of distributing iron into cellular compartments. Lastly a
mechanism to regulate iron uptake, in order to balance the metabolic needs with
the potential toxicity of iron, is also required. To study the mechanisms of ironuptake, I have chosen Trichomonas vaginalis, one of the most ancient
eukaryotes, as a model organism to understand this fundamental eukaryotic cell
activity. As this organism diverged early from the eukaryotic branch and has a
very limited genome, this protozoan will allow me to discern the minimal
requirements of a eukaryotic iron-acquisition and utilization system and allow for
reconstruction of the evolutionary history of such systems in higher eukaryotes.
The long-term aims of my research are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Elucidation of the mechanism of iron mobilization from lactoferrin
and other iron chelates
Elucidation of the mechanism of iron transport across the cellular
membrane.
Determination of the fate of lactoferrin iron.
Identification of iron-responsive components of the trichomonad
iron-acquisition pathway. .
Identification of iron-responsive genes.
Identification of iron binding proteins that regulate the gene
expression of iron-responsive genes
In order to adequately address these aims, two related lines of research will be
the immediate focus of my research.
1.
Understanding the molecular basis of trichomonad iron homeostasis has
been hampered in part by the lack of a system to manipulate the genome of this
organism. I have therefore begun the establishment of genetic system to
manipulate gene expression in trichomonads. So far I have developed a stable
transfection system through the use of a selectable drug marker (neo).
Furthermore, I have developed vectors that allow for the expression of GFP
fusion proteins in this ancient eukaryote. More recently, I have discovered
serendipitously that trichomonads will integrate plasmids that carry trichomonad
genes by homologous recombination, albeit at very low levels. This observation
will now allow for the prospect of the development of efficient methods to
generate gene-specific knock-out mutants. Refinements of these and other
genetic manipulation systems are a major goal of my research.
21
2.
It has been well established that iron is also part of the sensory and signal
transduction system of cells, thus changes in iron metabolism can precipitate
global changes in cellular gene expression. A major push of my research will
therefore be an examination of global gene expression in trichomonads in
response to changes in iron-homeostasis. Global expression patterns will be
examined using micro-arrays and high-throughput two-dimensional gel
electrophoresis.
Reflective Teaching Statement
In general the students that I mostly teach are not college ready and come with
deficiencies that prevent them from performing at a high level and be successful in
rigorous academic class work. Students frequently have not adequately developed their
quantitative skills, their reasoning skills and reading comprehension skills. It is important
to note that a recent study showed that many of our students do not read above the 6th
grade level. Most students also do not know how to study and how to evaluate
information for reliability and completeness. Furthermore, many of my students are
further handicapped by their limited economic resources, which often prevent them from
buying assigned textbooks and require them to work excessive hours. Also certain
attitudinal issues such as their singular focus on job training prevents them from seeing
utility in knowledge that is not clearly and directly related to their career aspirations.
Unfortunately, many of my students think they know what is required for their aspired
career, but frequently are utterly misinformed. A second frequent attitudinal issue to be
confronted is the deeply seated believe of the majority of students that it is their inherent
intelligence, their environment and other people that will be the deciding factor in their
success. Few students believe that it is their own actions and behaviors that determine
their success. Overall, these factors make it impossible to effectuate learning in the
traditional and otherwise highly effective lecture class. Therefore, I believe to be a good
teacher in this environment means more than just delivering the factual knowledge but
22
means to replicate the process of knowing by engaging students in the dynamics of
science and instill in them that a university education will is not just a means to an entrylevel job but will prepare them to become educated citizens capable of contributing to
society, understanding the world and to develop their critical faculties. It was important
for me to realize that I will need to consider and incorporate the circumstances my
students find themselves in to be an effective teacher. For example, this meant to
incorporate work that encourages and reinforces the idea that it is the student’s effort
that will decide their success. Finally, this also meant from me to shift from thinking
about how to teach to how to encourage learning in my class room.
I believe that by viewing students as potential future scholars and trying to enable them
to become scholars through the discovery of knowledge, the integration of knowledge,
the application of knowledge and the transmission of knowledge will accomplish the goal
of focusing on learning and reinforcing the notion that knowledge itself is power.
Therefore my teaching philosophy includes the following imperatives:
1.
Quality education begins with quality in language
One of my priorities is the responsibility to help students become proficient in the written
and spoken word and as well as mathematical analysis. In addition, I help my students
to understand that language is not just another subject but that it is the means by which
all subjects are pursued. Indeed, if after more than 16 years of formal education a
student cannot write with clarity, cannot read with understanding, or cannot
communicate orally with precision and with integrity, we have failed the student.
2.
Everything is one. There is no way to draw a line between things. (Nobel
Laureate
Barbara McClintock)
I strongly believe that students need to complete a coherent sequence of general
education and I try in my classes to reinforce and integrate this core of common
learning. Students in my classes are not only exposed to biology but also to how
mathematics, science, history and political science relate and connect to the biological
sciences.
3
Students are not a Student ID number in a book.
Many students feel that they cannot talk to their professors and do not feel part of the
educational experience. To draw students into the educational experience, I believe an
important part of teaching is advising and mentoring. I encourage students to come and
visit even if it is just to talk. In addition, I keep extended office hours and try to
accommodate students when they cannot come in during regular office hours. To further
strengthen the student’s educational experience an effort is made to encourage the use
of the library and to encourage field experiences and community service programs in
order to relate the theory of the classroom to the reality of life.
4.
Science is best learned by doing Science
Research and Laboratory instruction are an integral part of teaching and learning. The
excitement and beauty of science can only be appreciated by involving the student in
meaningful discovery based instruction. A component of this is thus to involve the
students in research projects or discovery based laboratory exercises. In my teaching
23
laboratories, I avoid the use of cookbook laboratory exercises and prefer to have
students explore a specific experiment.
5.
The quality of education is related to the quality of teaching
I strongly believe that my teaching becomes consequential only as it is understood by
the student. Understanding is stressed in my classes over rote memorization. Testing is
used primarily as a teaching tool and not as an evaluation tool. I also believe that
research-based teaching is essential as it takes into account the latest findings of
cognitive science on how students learn. Again, in brief, they learn by doing, not by just
listening to someone else; they learn by solving problems, not by passively absorbing
concepts; they learn best in groups of peers working things out together. Pedagogical
strategies used in my teaching thus includes the flipped classroom, case-, team- and
problem-based learning
6.
You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink.
Teaching and learning, although linked, are separate activities. It is important for me to
constantly reinforce this concept to students. Teaching is what I do and learning is an
active part of the student. While, my teaching methods incorporate elements that
enhance learning, they will never do the learning for the student.
7.
Students are potential scholars
To realize this goal, I try to create a classroom where active learning takes precedence
over passive learning, creativity over conformity is encouraged, and cooperation rather
than competition is fostered.
24