CV

Education

• B.S. in Biology and Biotechnology, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), 2017
• Ph.D in Evolutionary Biology, Brown University, 2024 (expected)

Publications

Microscopic Colitis is Characterized by Intestinal Dysbiosis

Morgan, DM and Cao Y et al. (2019). "Microscopic Colitis is Characterized by Intestinal Dysbiosis" Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

Research experience

• Graduate Student, Weinreich Lab, Brown University, Providence, RI, August 2018 - Present
  • Using deep mutational scanning to investigate fitness landscapes and epistatic interactions
• Research Technitian, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, May 2017 - June 2018
  • Research Technician and Clinical Coordinator for the Khalili and Garber labs in the Gastrointestinal Unit.
  • Conducting research focused on the human gut microbiome and the disease Microscopic Colitis.
  • Recruiting patients into research studies, involving contacting potential subjects, explaining the nature of the study, and drawing blood samples for some studies.
  • Processing research samples for human gut microbiome analysis, from sample collection to nucleic acid extraction.
  • Performing bioinformatic analysis of metagenome shotgun sequencing to analyze gut microbiome composition.
• Undergraduate Researcher, Shell Lab, WPI, Worcester, MA, January 2015 - January 2017
  • Conducted independent research under the direction of the principle investigator.
  • Investigated the role of the 5’UTR in expression of groES in M. smegmotis, an M. tuberculosis analog.
  • Utilized recombinant DNA technology, fluorescent reporters, and quantitative PCR to create mycobacterial strains and measure differences between them.
  • Analyzed data from fluorescence microscopy images using ImageJ and from flow cytometry using FlowJo.
• Undergraduate Researcher, Gegear Lab, WPI, Worcester, MA, August - December 2016
  • Investigated the potential for a transcriptomic profile in B. impatiens of the response to neonicitenoid pesticides.
  • Gathered wild specimens at multiple field sites for transcriptomic profile testing.
  • Correlated field data with experimental data gathered through exposure of specimens to known quantities and types of pesticides.
• Process Development-Analytics Intern, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Devens, MA, June - August 2016
  • Conducted research on Size-Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) columns to evaluate their potential for analysis of upstream drug production.
  • Compared columns across multiple manufacturers using a wide array of metrics.
  • Made recommendations to the PDA department that influenced company-wide policy.
  • Results were presented by a senior coworker at the annual meeting of the company PDA departments.
• International Genetically Engineered Machines (iGEM) team member, Worcester, MA, June - September 2015
  • Worked as part of a student team conducting novel research in synthetic biology.
  • Investigated antifreeze proteins and their potential use as antibacterial agents due to their biofilm inhibiting properties.
  • Cloned diverse antifreeze genes into E. coli to determine their effect on cold tolerance and biofilm formation.
  • Presented research at an international conference, the iGEM Giant Jamboree, of peers and leaders in synthetic biology and was awarded a gold medal for our research, presentation, and related materials by the conference organizers.
  • Granted a provisional patent with transition to full patent in progress.

Skills

• Laboratory
  • Miniprep, PCR, cell culture, cloning, plasmid design, aseptic technique, dissection, flow cytometry, quantitative PCR, Gibson Assembly, microscopy, SEC UPLC, SDS PAGE, laboratory safety
• Computational
  • Basic Linux shell commands, ImageJ, FlowJo, R

Patents and Presentations

• “Method for Modulating Biofilms,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application of Farny, et al. Application No.: 62/401,406, Filed: September 29, 2016, GT Ref. No.: 110697-012700/PRO
• “Pairwise Comparison of the Gut Microbiome in Microscopic Colitis” Digestive Disease Week National Conference, Washington DC, 2018
• “Antifreeze Proteins: Busting Biofilms and Crushing Ice Crystals,” iGEM Giant Jamboree, Boston, MA, September 2015
• “Role of the 5’UTR in Expression of groES in Mycobacterium Smegmatis,” Next-In-Bio Undergraduate Research Symposium, WPI, September 2016.
• “Evaluation of Sub-2um SEC UPLC Columns,” Bristol-Myers Squibb, August 2016.

Journals Reviewed For

• Journal of Molecular Biology
• Molecular Biology and Evolution

Teaching

Peer Learning Assistant

BioBuilder High School Apprenticeship Program

Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Disease

Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Disease

Awards and Recognition

• PLA of the Year, WPI, 2016
• iGEM Gold Medal, 2015
• Eagle Scout, Troop 193 Easton MA, 2012