ALISHA MENDONSA Vanderbilt University

ALISHA MENDONSA Vanderbilt University Department of Cancer Biology 2220 Pierce Avenue/ 734 PRB Nashville, TN 37232 (615) 936-2913 [email protected]

Education Graduate Student, 2009-Present The Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN Department of Cancer Biology Cumulative GPA: 4.0

M.S. Genomics and Bioinformatics , 2007-2009 The George Washington University, Washington, DC Cumulative GPA: 3.88

B.E. Biotechnology, 2003-2007 Visveswaraiah Technological University First Class with Distinction: 80% overall

Research Experience

2010-Present: Graduate Student, Department of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University Mentors: Dr. Lee Gorden and Dr. Lynn Matrisian

Areas of study:  Host and Tumor derived MMP13 contribute to tumor metastasis in the steatotic liver microenvironment  Contribution of MMPs to the steatotic liver microenvironment  Characterization of inflammatory cell and cytokine changes in a murine model of diet induced steatosis  Characterization of lipid profiles in patients with different stages of progression of non- alcoholic fatty liver

2008-2009 : Research Assistant, The George Washington University Mentor: Dr. Marcos Rojkind

Areas of study:  Identification of bio-markers of progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease to cirrhosis in morbidly obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery  Molecular mechanisms by which ethanol and its metabolite acetaldehyde induce liver fibrosis and cirrhosis

2006-2007: Undergraduate Project, BMS College of Engineering, Bangalore, India Areas of study: Optimization of Bioplastic production with various carbon sources from Bacillus megaterium May 2006- August 2006: Summer Internship, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India Areas of study: Digital image processing for conversion of an RGB image to a two bit image capable of being sent as a text message

Technical Skills

General molecular biology skills including RNA/DNA extraction and purification, Plasmid Isolation, Primer design, PCR, Realtime Quantitative RT-PCR, Cloning, Western Blotting, Zymography, Immunohistochemistry, Fluorescent Immunocytochemistry, Flow cytometry and FACS

Mouse Models: Mouse colony maintenance, Mouse breeding, Mouse Surgery (Splenic injection, Liver perfusion, IP injections)

Cell Culture: mammalian cell culture, primary cell establishment, maintenance of cell lines, transfection, proliferation, migration, invasion assays

Computer Skills

MS Office Suite (Microsoft Word, Microsoft Powerpoint, Microsoft Excel) GraphPad Prism, Image J Metamorph Flow Jo Ingenuity pathway analysis tool

Clinical Studies

HIPA/CITI Training Deidentification and handling of human liver biopsy, plasma and urine samples

Awards and Funding

2013: Awardee of the fifth annual Lai Sulin Scholarship to recognize excellence in research by a Vanderbilt University Ph.D. student in an area related to cancer

2012: Abstract Award, Annual Host-Tumor Interactions Program & Department of Cancer Biology Joint Retreat, Vanderbilt University

2011-2014: The HHMI/VUMC Certificate Program in Molecular Medicine

2010: The Vanderbilt International Scholars Program scholarship awardee Publications

1. Mendonsa AMco, Vansaun MNco, Lee Gorden. “Hepatocellular Proliferation Correlates with Inflammatory Cell and Cytokine Changes in a Murine Model of Diet Induced Steatosis” PLoS One. 2013 Sep 9;8(9):e73054. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0073054

2. Hindle, AK, Edwards, C, Mendonsa, A, Rojkind, M, McCaffrey, T, Fu, S, Brody, F. Adiponectin but not leptin is involved in early hepatic disease in morbidly obese patients. Surg Endosc, 2009.

Presentations

Oral Presentations:

“The Role of the Steatotic Liver Microenvironment on tumor development in the liver” Department of Cancer Biology Science Hour, Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN, January 2014

“The Role of the steatotic liver microenvironment of tumor development in the liver” Tumor Microenvironment Junior Investigator Meeting, Bethesda, MD, August 2013

“Identification of biomarkers in the progression of human nonalcoholic fatty liver disease” VUMC/HHMI certificate program in molecular medicine retreat, May 31, 2013

“The role of MMP13 on Tumor Development in the Steatotic Liver Microenvironment” Department of Cancer Biology Science Hour, Vanderbilt University, November 28, 2012

“Molecular determinants of tumor development in the Steatotic Liver Microenvironment” Tumor Microenvironment Junior Investigator Meeting, New York, NY, August 2012

“Contribution of MMP13 to tumor metastasis in the steatotic liver” Department of Cancer Biology Science Hour, Vanderbilt University, September 14, 2011

“Host and Tumor derived MMP13 contribute to tumor metastasis in the steatotic liver microenvironment” Gordon Research Seminars on MMPs, August 6-7, 2011

“Identification of bio-markers of progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease to cirrhosis in morbidly obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery” Department of Biochemistry Student Presentation, George Washington University, April, 2009

Poster Presentations

“The Role of the Steatotic Liver Microenvironment on tumor development in the liver” 13th Annual Host-Tumor Interactions Program & Department of Cancer Biology Retreat, November 2013

“Tumor derived MMP13 contribute to metastasis in the steatotic liver microenvironment” Gordon Research Conference on MMPs, May 2013 “MMP13 contributes to metastatic tumor growth in the steatotic liver microenvironment” American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting, Washington, DC, April 2013

“MMP12 and myeloid cell populations influence establishment of tumor metastases in the steatotic liver microenvironment” American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, April 2012

Characterization of lipid profiles in patients with different stages of progression of non- alcoholic fatty liver VUMC/HHMI certificate program in molecular medicine retreat, May 2012

“The role of MMP12 and MMP13 in tumor metastasis to the steatotic liver” Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center retreat, May 2012

“Matrix Metalloproteinases contribute to tumor metastasis in the steatotic liver microenvironment” 11th Annual Host-Tumor Interactions Program & Department of Cancer Biology Retreat, November 2011

“Host and Tumor derived MMP13 contribute to tumor metastasis in the steatotic liver microenvironment” Gordon Research Conference on Matrix Metalloproteinases, Smithfield, RI, August 2011

“MMP13 levels are elevated in the steatotic liver microenvironment” 10th Annual Host-Tumor Interactions Program & Department of Cancer Biology Retreat, November 2010

Professional Memberships

 Associate member of the American Association for Cancer Research, 2010-Present  Member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science 2009-Present

Leadership and Activities

 Gordon Research Seminars on Matrix Metalloproteinases, Associate Chair, 2011-2013  Cancer Biology Student Association, Financial Chair, 2012-2013  Cancer Biology Student Association, Academic Chair, 2011-2012  Member of the editorial board of the BMS College of Engineering Hostel Magazine and Department of Biotechnology Newsletter  Coordinator for the informal events at the annual College Fest, UTSAV 2007  Organizer for the National Level Symposium on Biotechnology, 2007  Coordinator for the Biotechnology Department Fest, 2006  Member of the BMS College of Engineering Women’s Basketball Team, organization of annual intercollegiate sports meets, 2004-2007 References (1) Lee Gorden, MD [email protected]

Departments of Surgery and Cancer Biology Vanderbilt University 801 Oxford House Nashville, TN 37232 615-936-2956

(2) Lynn Matrisian, PhD, MBA [email protected]

Vice President, Scientific & Medical Affairs Pancreatic Cancer Action Network 1500 Rosecrans Ave, Suite 200 Manhatten Beach, CA 90266 310-706-3381

(3) Barbara Fingleton, PhD [email protected]

Department of Cancer Biology Vanderbilt University 2220 Pierce Avenue, 738 PRB Nashville, TN 37232 615-936-5877

(4) Michael VanSaun, PhD [email protected]

Departments of Surgery and Cancer Biology Vanderbilt University 2220 Pierce Avenue, 738 PRB Nashville, TN 37232 615-343-3422