JASON W. TRESSER

Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences Biola 13800 Biola Ave. La Mirada, CA 90639 (562) 903-4747 [email protected]

EDUCATION Ph.D., Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of , Santa Barbara. September 2008. Dissertation: Characterization of Mutations Affecting Neural Development in the Ascidian Tadpole Larva. Advisor: Dr. William C. Smith.

Master of Arts, Christian , . May 2001.

Bachelor of Science, Molecular Biology, , San Diego. August 1999.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE Assistant Professor -Biochemistry II and Biochemistry Lab, Biola University, Spring 2009, 2010. -Genetics and Genetics Laboratory, Biola University, Spring 2009, Fall 2009. -Biological Principles, Biola University, Spring 2009. -General Biology I and Laboratory, Biola University, Fall 2008, 2009. -Developmental Biology and Laboratory, Biola University, Fall 2008, Spring 2010.

Adjunct Instructor -Human Physiology, Westmont , Spring 2007, 2008. -General Biology Laboratory, , Spring 2008.

Teaching Assistant -Developmental Biology, UC Santa Barbara, Winter 2003, 2006. -Recombinant DNA Techniques Laboratory, UC Santa Barbara, Spring 2002, 2004, 2005. -Cell Biology, Biola University, Spring 2001. -General Biology I, II, Biola University, Fall 2000, Spring 2001. -Genetics, UC San Diego, Summer 1999, Biola University, Fall 2000,.

Guest Lecturer -Developmental Biology, Biola University, November 2007. -Cell Biology, Westmont College, October 2006. -Recombinant DNA Techniques Laboratory, UC Santa Barbara, May 2004. -Cell Biology, UC Santa Barbara, February 2002.

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE Doctoral Research, UC Santa Barbara, June 2002-July 2008. Using chemical mutagens we induced mutations in the ascidian Ciona savignyi and screened for phenotypes affecting larval development. My study focused on two mutant lines that have defects in the nervous system. I characterized these defects phenotypically and at the genetic level. Advisor: Dr. William C. Smith.

Research Intern, Structural Genomics June-August 2001. I crystallized purified protein samples for x-ray based structural determination. I helped to integrate automated techniques for crystal production, validation and storage.

Research Technician, UC San Diego, August 1999-March 2000. I worked with Dr. Elizabeth Fortunato on the chromosomal abnormalities in human cells upon infection with Human Cytomeglovirus.

Undergraduate Research Program, UC San Diego, April 1998-August 1998. I purified antibodies against the drosophila protein polycephalon from rabbit serum and stained for expression in the fly embryo. Advisor: Dr. William McGinnis.

Research Intern, Sequana Therapeutics/AXyS Pharmaceuticals, September 1996-March 1999. Using microsatelite markers I worked to genotype diseased and healthy patients to look for novel genes involved in complex human diseases such as diabetes and schizophrenia.

MINISTRY Home Group Bible Study Leader, Grace Evangelical Free Church, August 2009-Present. My wife and I co-lead a Bible study and fellowship group of 18 individuals with another couple through Grace EV Free La Mirada. We meet each Sunday afternoon for lunch, discussion of scripture and prayer.

Jr. High and High School Leader, Santa Barbara Community Church, September 2003-July 2008. I have been mentoring a group of 8 students in weekly Bible studies and morning prayer services as well as helping teach larger weekly Sunday school classes. I also help coordinate monthly recreational activities, chapel services at the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission and act as counselor at winter and summer camps.

High School Tutor, St. Stephen’s School, San Diego CA, September 1997-March 1998. I worked as a one-on-one tutor for low-performing students in San Diego’s lower east side. I taught lessons, helped with homework, administered exams and evaluated students performance levels in Math, English and Science.

Small Group Leader, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, UC San Diego, September 1996-June 1997. I lead an inductive small group Bible study of the book of Ephesians with fellow students in the residence halls of UC San Diego. I helped coordinate prayer and worship services as well as social and service outings with other Intervarsity leaders.

Camp Counselor, Yosemite Sierra Summer Camp, June-August 1996. I counseled cabins of boys ages 10-14 for two and three-week sessions. I lead Bible studies, hikes, backpacking trips and lake activities in the Yosemite/Bass Lake region of the Sierra mountains.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS Tresser J, Veeman M, El-Nachef D, Newman-Smith E, Horie T, Chiba S, Tsuda M, Smith WC Doublesex/mab3 related-1 (dmrt-1) is essential for normal development of anterior neural plate derivatives in Ciona. Manuscript submitted 2009.

Jiang D, Tresser JW, Horie T, Tsuda M, Smith WC. Pigmentation in the sensory organs of the ascidian larva is essential for normal behavior. J Exp Biol. 2005 Feb;208(Pt 3):433-8.

Hendrickson C, Christiaen L, Deschet K, Jiang D, Joly JS, Legendre L, Nakatani Y, Tresser J, Smith WC. Culture of adult ascidians and ascidian genetics. Methods Cell Biol. 2004;74:143-70.

Wingerd KL, Goodman NL, Tresser JW, Smail MM, Leu ST, Rohan SJ, Pring JL, Jackson DY, Clegg DO. Alpha 4 integrins and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 play a role in sympathetic innervation of the heart. J Neurosci. 2002 Dec 15;22(24):10772-80.

Noland BW, Newman JM, Hendle J, Badger J, Christopher JA, Tresser J, Buchanan MD, Wright TA, Rutter ME, Sanderson WE, Muller-Dieckmann HJ, Gajiwala KS, Buchanan SG. Structural studies of Salmonella typhimurium ArnB (PmrH) aminotransferase: a 4-amino-4-deoxy-L- arabinose lipopolysaccharide-modifying enzyme. Structure (Camb). 2002 Nov;10(11):1569-80.

PROFESIONAL PRESENTATIONS Platform Presentations -Mutant Sea Creatures: Neural and Behavioral Defects in the Ascidian Tadpole. Natural and Behavioral Science Seminar, Westmont College, November 2005. -The Vagabond Mutation Disrupts the Central and Peripheral Nervous System in the Larvae of Ciona savignyi. 3rd International Tunicate Conference, July 2005.

Poster Presentations -Genetic Mapping of the Vagabond Mutation in Ciona savignyi. 4th International Tunicate Conference, July 2007. -The Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems in the Larvae of Ciona savignyi are Disrupted by the Vagabond Mutation. West Coast Society for Developmental Biology Regional Conference, March 2006. -Pigmentation in the Sensory Cells of the Ascidian Larva is Essential for Normal Behavior Society for Developmental Biology 63rd Annual Meeting, July 2004. -Mutagenesis screening in the Ascidian Ciona savignyi. Society for Developmental Biology 62nd Annual Meeting, July 2003.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS -American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). -Society for Developmental Biology (SDB). -Emerging Scholars Network (ESN).

HONORS -Outstanding Graduate Student Presentation Award, UC Santa Barbara, 2004. -Travel Grant. Graduate Division. University of California, Santa Barbara. 2004 -Amgen Training Fellowship, UC Santa Barbara, 2001-2002 -Recipient, Graduation with Honors, Biola University, 2001.

RESEARCH INTERESTS My primary interests involve mechanisms of animal development, specifically cell fate specification, morphogenesis and tissue patterning. My training has involved genetic analysis of these processes, but I also have an interest in environmental and ecological aspects of development. I am also interested in post-embryonic development processes such as metamorphosis and maturation.

TEACHING INTERESTS I have been involved in teaching introductory biology, human physiology, genetics, biochemistry and developmental biology over the past seven years. I have particularly enjoyed teaching laboratory classes in development and genetics. In the future I would like to explore teaching opportunities in invertebrate zoology, and horticulture.

MINISTRY INTERESTS I have had a passion for teaching and discipleship for many years. My work with Jr. High and High School students has allowed me the opportunity to lead devotionals and prayer groups, teach and speak about issues involving faith and science as well as lead traditional Bible studies. In addition to these formal methods of ministry, I have been able to become a part of my student’s lives and have shared in their success and failures and encouraged them to seek God in their everyday lives. I am pleased to be continuing this relational style of ministry in my career in education. REFERENCES Academic: -Matt Cruzen: [email protected] -William Smith: [email protected] -Kathy Foltz: [email protected] Ministry: -Reed Jolley: [email protected] -Kelly Soifer: [email protected]