Patrick J. Miller, MS, MPH
Email: pmill1@lsuhsc.edu
Lab: (504) 568-2273
Curriculum Vitae
CAREER SUMMARY
Scientist with extensive experience planning, executing, and troubleshooting molecular and cellular biology studies in the biotech/pharma and academic arenas for over ten years. Skilled in assay development, high-throughput screening, cell culture, statistical analysis, computers, teaching, and laboratory management. Also trained in infectious disease epidemiology and behavioral psychology. Meticulous, creative multitasker able to work independently to achieve team goals. Excellent interpersonal, communication, leadership, and management skills.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
RESEARCH ASSOCIATE 3
2003-presentDepartment of Genetics
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112
- Responsible for laboratory setup upon PI’s arrival to LSUHSC
- Cellular and molecular studies to characterize the role of Pax3 and Pax3-FKHD in alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma
RESEARCH ASSOCIATE 3
2002-2003Department of Medicine, Gene Therapy Program
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112
- Vaccine development for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and asthma.
- Adapted procedures for development of primary chick embryo skin cell line, propagation of vaccinia and fowlpox viruses, and vaccinia viral DNA isolation and purification.
- Responsible for cloning genes into various vectors for use in vaccines using PCR and general cloning techniques.
- Isolation of mouse spleen and lymph nodes for use in ELISPOT assays.
BIOLOGIST III
1999-2002Department of Research Biology
BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Birmingham, AL
- Promoted from Biologist II in December 2000
- Pre-clinical development of inhibitor of purine nucleoside phosphorylase in human T-cells: development of DNA polymerase assays, performance of lymphocyte proliferation assays, Ki determinations, and deoxynucleotide analysis of lymphocytes from clinic patients, mice, rats, dogs, and monkeys.
- Discovery/Pre-clinical development of inhibitors of Hepatitis C RNA-dependent RNA polymerase NS5B: assay development, polymerase assays, real time RT-PCR, MTT assays, and maintenance of cell lines.
- Discovery/Pre-clinical development of inhibitor of Tissue Factor/Factor VIIa complex of the coagulation cascade: PT, modified PT, aPTT, and lymphocyte assays.
- Data and statistical analyses for projects. Coordinated set-up and movement into new cell culture facility. Performed blood draws for in-house studies. Primary responder for department computerized alarm systems and emergencies. Emergency First Aid/CPR/AED team member. Assistant Radiation Safety Officer 1999-2000. Member of several committees.
ASSOCIATE MOLECULAR BIOLOGIST
1998-1999Department of Molecular Oncology and Tumor Biology
Southern Research Institute, Birmingham, AL
- Conducted molecular biology experiments to investigate dominant negative gene expression in human breast cancer cell lines including cloning, transfection, and PCR
- Managed laboratory budget and financial records.
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
1997-1998Departments of Developmental & Clinical Immunology and Microbiology
Wallace Tumor Institute, University of Alabama School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL
- Conducted molecular biology studies to characterize the effects of knocking out the p70 gene associated with stem cell differentiation into T-cells, including PCR, genomic southerns of stem cell clones, and vector construction.
- Performed initial setup of laboratory and managed its daily operations
- Trained and supervised four graduate students
FELLOW, NIH/UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM
1997Summer Research Program for Schools of Medicine and Dentistry
- Wrote grant application and received funding for independent research project: “Differing responses of fibroblast subpopulations to inflammatory and fibrogenic cytokines: The role of PDGF-a receptor modulation.” Published results of project in American Journal of Physiology: Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology with immunofluorescence photo on journal cover
- Performed immunofluorescence, EMSA, westerns, northerns, and primary cell line development and maintenance.
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
1996Department of Pediatrics/Pulmonary Division
University of Alabama School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL
- Studied development of fibrous tissue after lung injury
- Performed immunofluorescence, EMSA, westerns, northerns, and primary cell line development and maintenance.
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
1993-1994Vascular Biology and Hypertension Research Program
University of Alabama School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL
- Studied and characterized Types 1 and 2 Angiotensin II receptor genes in rats and humans
- Performed molecular and cellular biology experiments including PCR, cloning, DNA sequencing, nucleic acid blots, and tissue isolation from rats.
- Trained graduate students and others in molecular biology techniques
INSTRUCTOR AND LABORATORY MANAGER
1992-1993Department of Biology
Auburn University at Montgomery, Montgomery, AL
- Taught undergraduate microbiology laboratory sessions
- Responsible for organization and maintenance of biology and microbiology laboratories
SKILLS
Epidemiology and Computer Skills: Study design and analysis including assessment of change, confounding, and bias; disease outbreak investigation and analysis; exposure estimation; calculation of rate and trend; standardization; familiar with SAS, EpiInfo, WordPerfect, Windows, Macintosh, SigmaPlot, SigmaStat, Excel, ChemFinder.
Biochemistry Analysis: Assays including RIA, Fura II, Scatchard Analysis, Whole Cell Binding, RPA, EMSA, and MicroBCA; isolation, purification, and characterization of nucleic acid, enzyme, and protein; lymphocyte proliferation assays; polymerase assays to measure dNTP levels in lymphocytes; polymerase assays to measure activity of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity including Filter Binding and FlashPlate; PT, modified PT, and aPTT assays; MTT assays.
Biochemistry Techniques: TLC; agarose, acrylamide, and SDS/PAGE electrophoresis; hybridization studies including random‑primed and end‑labeled probes of southerns, northerns, slot blots, and colony lifts; western blots; southwestern blots; tissue/cell homogenization and fractionation; differential centrifugation; nuclear protein extraction.
Genetics/Genetic Engineering: Plasmid DNA isolation and purification; RNA isolation and purification from cells and tissues; transformation; transfection; recombinant DNA techniques including PCR, RT‑PCR, real time RT-PCR, library screening, DNA sequencing; southern, northern, slot blot, and colony lift preparation.
Tissue Culture: Cell line maintenance; isolation of rat primary lung fibroblasts, primary hepatocytes, and chick embryonic skin cells; mouse and rat splenocytes; mouse lymph nodes; peripheral blood lymphocytes from human, dog, and monkey
Microbiology: Identification, isolation and purification, and inoculation; media preparation; culture maintenance and disposal.
Histology: Peroxidase-Antiperoxidase stain.
Immunology: Fluorescent antibody technique (FACS, immunofluorescence single and double staining); ELISPOT assay
Instruments: pH meter; centrifuge including Microfuge, Desktop, and Ultrafuge; refractometer; spectroscopy including Colorimeter, Visible, and UV; scintillation and beta counters; Geiger counter; laser imaging densitometer; radiograph developer; camera; autoclave; phospho‑imager; TurboVap; hemacytometer; Coulter Cell Counter; Packard cell harvester; coagulometer; plate reader; ABI PRISM 7000 Sequence Detection System; Packard TopCount NXT.
Animal Care: Handling/Restraining, feeding, training, and tissue harvesting of rats and mice; assisting in veterinary procedures.
Animal Surgery: Tracheotomy (rat); mouse and rat splenectomy; isolation of rat jugular vein and abdominal vena cava; administration of anethesia (rat).
Microscopy: Light; fluorescent (Leitz, Olympus); reverse phase.
Photography: Processing and printing (black and white); microphotography; image scanning to computer.
Other: Behavioral study methods; cadaver dissection; clinical (patient interview, history, and general physical examination).
GRANT SUPPORT
Differing responses of fibroblast subpopulations to inflammatory and fibrogenic cytokines: The role of PDGF-α receptor modulation." NIH/University of Alabama School of Medicine/Dentistry Summer Research Fellowship Program 1997.
SPECIAL PROJECTS
In coordination with Lisa I. Sanders, MD and Sten Vermund, MD, PhD designed "InfoMate: A Guide for Persons Living with HIV/AIDS" for patients of the UAB 1917 Clinic. "InfoMate" is in the form of a binder which contains general information regarding the UAB 1917 Clinic, HIV/AIDS and related medications, psychosocial information, and other information specifically tailored to the individual patient or caregiver. "InfoMate" is funded by educational grants from pharmaceutical companies and other agencies
EDUCATION
CERTIFICATIONS