Nicole Dean

Nicole graduated from Central Connecticut State University in December of 2016. Under Dr. Jeremiah Jarrett she studied phenotypic plasticity and geographic distribution overlap dynamics in the barnacle species Chthamalus fissus and C. dalli along the Pacific coast of North America. Under Dr. Sadie Marjani she examined TRIM28 and ZFP57 expression in IVF, IVD, and AI bovine pre-implantation embryos. Nicole has gained a wealth of research assistant experience. At The Jackson Laboratory under Dr. Jennifer Trowbridge, she explored the progression from clonal hematopoiesis to myeloproliferative neoplasm in mice with Dnmt3aR878H and Npm1c mutations. At The University of Michigan under Dr. Malini Raghavan, she defined the calreticulin-specific effects on mediating ER clearance and secretion of a polymerogenic alpha1-antitrypsin Z mutation (ATZ) protein in a human hepatocellular carcinoma derived cell line, and examined the low-affinity calcium-binding mediated effects of BiP on substrate binding and oligomerization. Also at The University of Michigan under Dr. Mark Chiang, she investigated the role of CDC73 and Zmiz1 in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) proliferation using transduced human cell lines and patient-derived xenografts (PDX) in combination with NSG mice as models for the disease. In her free time Nicole enjoys CrossFit, watercolor painting, hanging out with friends, and going to church.

Currently, Nicole is a first-year PIBS student rotating through labs.

Flow Cytometry and Cell Sorting; RNA extraction, Reverse Transcription to cDNA, RT-qPCR; SDS-PAGE, Western Blot, Immunoprecipitation (IP) and co-IP, IP-Mass Spectrometry; Plasmid Preparation, Cloning, PCR, Agarose Gel Electrophoresis, DNA Extraction and Cleanup, Primer Design; CRISPR-Cas9 Gene Editing, Transfection, Transduction (including primary PDX lines), Virus Handling, General Cell Culture; Mouse Handling, Bone Marrow Harvest, Thoracotomy and Thymus Harvest, Spleen and Liver Collection and Fixation, Tail Vein Injection, Retro-orbital Bleed, Retro-orbital Injection, IP Injection, Oral Gavage, Husbandry and Weaning Practices, Tail Tip, Ear Notch, Sex identification, Cervical Dislocation, Irradiation, Sick Mouse Identification and Timely Decision to Harvest.

Henry Barnard Distinguished Student Award Recipient 2017
CCSU Dean’s Citation Recipient Class of 2017
CCSU Biology Departmental Award Class of 2017
CCSU Outstanding Scientific Achievement Award 2015-2016
Northeast Conference Female Scholar Athlete of the Year Class of 2017
CCSU Highest Academic Ranking Female Student-Athlete Class of 2017