Keith Task 171 Travis Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15236 (412) 653-1572
[email protected] EDUCATION Doctoral Program, Chemical Engineering, University of Pittsburgh 2009-Present • PhD Candidate, Teaching Assistant • Current GPA: 3.85 • Successfully completed PhD Proposal Defense; anticipated Final Defense/Graduation: February 2014 Bachelor Program, Chemical Engineering, University of Pittsburgh 2001-2005 • Graduated Summa Cum Laude, 2005 • Bachelor in Chemical Engineering, Minor in Chemistry, Concentration in Biochemical Engineering • GPA: 3.80 Key courses: Numerous courses in chemical engineering, math, statistics, simulation/programming, chemistry, biology/bioengineering Computer skills: Efficient in Fortran, numerous statistical and mathematical programs including Matlab and Mathcad, optimization algorithms, and Microsoft Office; experience in chemical simulation packages, including ChemCad and Aspen WORK EXPERIENCE PhD Candidate, Lab of Dr. Ipsita Banerjee-University of Pittsburgh May 2009-Present • Research focus- Developing and utilizing mathematical models and simulations, coupled with experimental studies, to assess, understand and predict the mechanisms and variability involved in embryonic stem cell (ESC) differentiation to pancreatic lineage • Population-based modeling of lineage commitment through stochastic algorithms • Differential equation-based modeling of cell cycle regulation of pluripotent and differentiating ESC • Using robust regression techniques and image processing tools to correlate substrate microstructural features to differentiation