2003-2011 Ph.D.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine
Chapel Hill, North Carolina Doctoral Hooding Ceremony video University of the people
Department: Cell and Developmental Biology
Mentor: Sharon L. Milgram, Ph.D.
Other Mentors: Sally A. Moody, Ph.D. (George Washington University)
Kenneth L. Kramer, Ph.D. (NHLBI-NIH, now Creighton University)
Frank Conlon, Ph.D. (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)
1999-2003 M.S.
Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC)
Charleston, South Carolina
Department: Molecular and Cellular Biology and Pathobiology
Title: Structure/Function studies of Pigment-Epithelium Derived Factor (PEDF).
Mentor: Jian-xing Ma, M.D., Ph.D.
1993-1997 B.S.
University of South Carolina, Columbia
Columbia, South Carolina
Major: Biology, Minor: Chemistry
2022-current Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, Worcester State University
Taught the following courses:
The Human Animal (BI-103) & Lab (BI-104), primarily designed to serve the Communication Sciences & Disorders (CSD) Majors but also served as a general education science course & lab for science non-majors.
Introduction to Cellular & Molecular Biology & Lab (BI-141), a second semester introductory biology course & lab for biology & biotechnology majors.
Anatomy and Physiology I (BI-161) & II (BI-162) & Lab, a two semester A&P course & lab for students in Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Biology (pre-Physical Therapy, pre-Physician Assistant, pre-Pharmacy students), & Public Health majors.
Used Visible Body Courseware; microscopes; tissue slides; cow eye, sheep heart, & cow kidney dissections; student-recorded electrocardiograms (ECG); spirometers; and a variety of quality models. Lab partners were provided lists of the anatomical features they would need to identify during each scheduled lab practical. Students then worked together to practice quizzing each other. Once both students felt confident, I came around and quizzed them to make sure they could identify each feature before leaving lab for the day.
Used Blackboard Ultra to provide learning materials, chapter homework assignments, formative assessments, feedback, and grades.
2021-2022 Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, Coe College
Taught the following courses:
Human Biology (BIO-100), a general education science course for non-majors.
Human Biology Lab (BIO-100L), a general education science lab course for non-majors.
Cellular & Molecular Biology (BIO-145), first semester introductory biology course for science majors and pre-nursing students.
Cellular & Molecular Biology Lab (BIO-145L), first semester biology lab for science majors
Organismal & Ecological Biology (BIO-155), second semester introductory biology course for science majors.
Organismal & Ecological Biology Lab (BIO-155L), second semester introductory biology course for science majors.
Integrated Human Anatomy (BIO-315), a senior level elective course consisting mostly of pre-professional school students.
Used the Gray’s Anatomy for Students textbook for this course because these senior-level pre-professional school students had already been exposed to human anatomy in the freshman Organismal & Ecological Biology course/lab as well as in an Integrated Human Physiology (BIO-375) course. Therefore, we were able to go a bit more in depth to best prepare them for their post-graduate career.
Integrated Human Anatomy Lab (BIO-315L), a senior-level elective lab consisting mostly of pre-professional school students.
Used a SynDaver, cat dissection, a variety of quality models, human bones, plastinated human organs, practice labeling worksheets, and additional question-based worksheets that helped students review material from the lecture course.
Used Moodle to provide learning materials, weekly homework assignments, weekly muddiest point assignments, formative assessments, active learning activities, feedback, summative assessments, and grades.
2020-2021 Assistant Professor, Department of Biology/Chemistry, Springfield College
Taught the following courses:
Anatomy & Physiology Concepts I (BIOL-130), 2 sections, first semester of an A&P course for science non-majors (i.e. Athletic Trainers, Exercise Science, Physical Education, Occupational Therapy, Sports Biology, Health Science etc.).
Anatomy & Physiology Concepts II (BIOL-131), 2 sections, second semester of an A&P course for science non-majors (i.e. Athletic Trainers, Exercise Science, Physical Education, Occupational Therapy, Sports Biology, Health Science etc.).
Bioscience I (BIOL-121), first semester introductory biology coursework for science majors.
Bioscience II (BIOL-122), second semester introductory biology coursework for science majors.
Bioscience I (BIOL-123), 2 sections, first semester biology labs for science majors.
Developmental Biology (BIOL-341), senior level elective course for science majors.
Used Brightspace (D2L) to provide learning materials, weekly homework assignments, weekly muddiest point assignments, formative assessments, active learning activities, feedback, summative assessments, and grades.
Used Zoom to provide synchronized classroom content, which included the utilization of breakout rooms for completion of group in-class active learning activities.
2019-2020 Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of Biological and Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford
Taught the following courses:
Fall
BIOL 0112 Human Biology
BIOL 1402 Molecular Biology
BIOL 1412 Molecular Biology Lab
BIOL 0101 Intro to Cell & Molecular Biology lab (2 sections)
BIOL 1451 Capstone: Biology
Spring
BIOL 0101 Introduction to Cell & Molecular Biology
BIOL 0101 Intro to Cell & Molecular Biology lab (2 sections)
BIOL 1410 Genomics, Proteomics, & Bioinformatics
BIOL 1451 Capstone: Biology
2018-2019 Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Duquesne University
Taught the following courses:
BIOL 115 - Advanced General Biology I
This course is restricted to Biology and Center for Environmental Research and Education (CERE) majors. Freshman course. Students must register concurrently for BIOL 115L. Class of 94 students.
BIOL 208 - Human Anatomy & Physiology I labs (2 sections)
BIOL 209 - Human Anatomy & Physiology II labs (3 sections)
BIOL 313/513 - Developmental Biology
The powerful tools of molecular and cellular biology have linked the fields of embryology, morphology, genetics, and evolutionary biology to reveal how cells, tissues, organs, and organisms develop.
BIOL 394 - Biology Research Forum
Designed for students performing research with a faculty mentor, the course guides students to write a manuscript and develop an oral presentation based on their own research project. In addition to presenting their ideas in written and oral form, students read and critically assess scientific literature, discuss the ethics of research and publication, and evaluate and critique the work of their peers.
BIOL 490/690 - Seminar
Undergraduate and graduate students attend and participate in weekly departmental research presentations by biological scientists. Must provide several written reports. Pass/Fail.
Teaching Enhancements:
- Online course: Foundations in Online Teaching & Learning for online teaching certification.
- Workshop: Writing Prompts that Work: A Workshop in Crafting Effective Assignment Sheets for Writing Projects.
- Micro-Workshop: Small Changes Advancing LEarning (SCALE): Be the Spark.
- Attended the Diversity and Inclusion Speaker Series.
2017-2018 Instructor, Departments of Biology and Kinesiology, Coe College
Taught Physiology of Exercise (PE-525), a capstone course for Kinesiology seniors.
Created a detailed syllabus that outlined my expectations for each class.
Created daily worksheets, which encouraged students to read the book and come to class prepared and ready to discuss what they learned from their reading and the completed worksheet.
Used Moodle to provide and receive required worksheets, chapter quizzes, and grades.
Incorporated four physiology labs, using iWorx equipment and software, into the course for the first time.
Taught two sections of Introduction to Biology Laboratory (BIO-140), the lab associated with the
department’s introductory cell and molecular biology course, typically taken exclusively by freshmen.
Taught a section of the Organismal & Ecological Biology Laboratory (BIO-150), which focuses on fetal pig and crayfish dissections, invertebrate behavior, respiration rates of African hissing cockroaches, and field ecology.
Both labs, BIO-140 and BIO-150, are writing emphasis courses, which require a major lab report to be submitted and feedback from the professor to be provided for student revision and improvement of the original draft.
Volunteered to help the Writing Committee judge a set of written portfolios submitted by the First Year Seminar (FYS) Program faculty for the Outstanding FYS Portfolio Prize.
2017 Adjunct Science Faculty, Kirkwood Community College
Taught two sections of Nutrition (BIO-151).
Created detailed syllabi that outlined my expectations for each class.
Created daily worksheets, which encouraged students to read the book and come to class prepared and ready to discuss what they learned from their reading and the completed worksheet.
Met with English as a second language (ESL) students for an additional half hour after each class to provide supplemental instruction.
Used Talon to provide and receive required daily worksheets and chapter quizzes.
2016 Tutor III, Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC)
Tutored CCBC students in Biology, Nutrition, Human Anatomy/Physiology, and Microbiology.
2014 (Spring) Judge for the Northwest Association for Biomedical Research (NWABR)
Middle School Essay Contest entitled: “Biomedical Breakthroughs and my life”
2013-2014 Laboratory mentor to Notre Dame of Maryland University
Undergraduate Honors Student
2013 (Fall) Teaching Fellows Program for Johns Hopkins Medical Institute Postdoctoral
Fellows at Notre Dame of Maryland University
2013 (Spring) Judge for the Northwest Association for Biomedical Research (NWABR)
Middle School Essay Contest entitled: “Biomedical Breakthroughs and my life”
2007-2009 Laboratory mentor, 2 NIH Post-Baccalaureate Fellows
2006-2007 Laboratory mentor to UNC Biology Undergraduate Honors Student
Honors Thesis: Identifying the transcriptional regulatory elements of Yes-associated protein (YAP).
2005 Laboratory mentor to UNC Biology Undergraduate Honors Student
Honors Thesis: Developmental expression of YAP and TAZ in Xenopus laevis.
2013-2014 Postdoctoral Fellow
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Determining the protective role DNA methylation plays on retinal ganglion cell survival using single, double, and triple: (Dnmt1, Dnmt3a, Dnmt3b)2lox/2lox, Cre-inducible knockout mice.
Identifying new biomarkers of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Validating differences in DNA methylation patterns observed using Illumina 450K methylation arrays and determining gene expression changes in blood and retinal samples from human patients.
2011-2013 Postdoctoral Fellow
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Identified specific markers of a putative adult pancreatic β-cell progenitor cell using cell sorting of transgenic zebrafish pancreata and subsequent RNAseq analysis (Tophat,Cufflinks, Cuffcompare, RSEM) of single and paired-end reads.
Verified RNAseq analyses and the validity of these genes as cell-specific markers using qPCR, BAC transgenesis, immunofluorescence of mouse and zebrafish tissue sections, and confocal microscopy.
Implemented the recently developed Q transcriptional regulatory system for zebrafish transgenesis.
Created Cre-inducible zebrafish transgenic lines for the purpose of inhibiting or overactivating Notch signaling in a cell type specific manner.
Used TALENs (transcription activator-like effector nucleases) to create gene-specific mutant zebrafish.
2007-2011 Graduate student in the NIH Intramural Research Training Program, (Symposium)
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH
Bethesda, Maryland
Sharon L. Milgram, Ph.D.
2003-2007 Graduate Student in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Sharon L. Milgram, Ph.D.
Investigated the role of Yes-associated protein (YAP) in vertebrate development by designing and performing experiments in Xenopus laevis and Danio rerio using microinjections of morpholinos (MOs) and in vitro transcribed RNAs, in situ hybridization, luciferase and β-galactosidase activity assays, and chromatin immunoprecipitations.
Evaluated transcriptional control of YAP using luciferase and β-galactosidase activity assays and gel-shift analysis.
Created wild type, yap+/-, and yap-/-mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cell lines using viral-mediated immortalization.
Determined gene expression changes in wild type and yap-/-mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cell lines using microarray analyses and RT-PCR.
Evaluated putative YAP transcriptional targets in the established MEF cell lines by adding YAP back to the null cells via nucleofection.
Evaluated protein-protein interactions with YAP using radioactive in vitro binding assays, GST pulldowns, and co-immunoprecipitations.
Participated in a semester long Grant Writing course in which we critiqued both funded and nonfunded grants from a variety of investigators.
Attended a weeklong scientific writing workshop given by George Gopen, J.D., Ph.D and entitled “Writing from the reader’s perspective”
1999-2003 Graduate student in Molecular and Cellular Biology and Pathobiology
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Evaluated the transcriptional control of Pigment-Epithelium Derived growth Factor (PEDF) in a retinal pigment epithelial cell line using β-galactosidase/luciferase assays and gel-shift analysis.
Investigated the anti-angiogenic abilities of PEDF on the retinal microvasculature by isolating primary human and bovine retinal microvascular cells (endothelial and pericytes), purifying wild type and deleted forms of PEDF from E. coli, and adding the purified proteins to the cultured cells in order to determine the region of PEDF responsible for its anti-angiogenic properties.
1997-1999 Research Assistant in the Department of Pathology/Ophthalmology
University of South Carolina-School of Medicine
Columbia, South Carolina
Ramesh Tripathi, M.D., Ph.D. and Brenda T. Tripathi, Ph.D.
Organized and maintained the lab to maximize lab productivity.
Performed a number of experiments involving the primary isolation and culturing of porcine trabecular meshwork cells and Human Tenon’s capsule fibroblasts.
Critically reviewed manuscripts and presented my work at an international Ophthalmology meeting (ARVO).
1996 Howard Hughes Summer Research Fellow
(Summer) University of South Carolina, Columbia
Robert P. Lawther, Ph.D.
2014 National Eye Institute fellowship program entitled, "Fundamental Issues in
Vision Research", at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL);
August 10-23, 2014.
2001 Fight for Sight (Prevent Blindness America) Student Fellowship
“Transcriptional Regulation of PEDF under Hypoxic Conditions.”
2001 (March) Sigma Xi, Grant-in-Aid Award via National Academy of Sciences
“Transcriptional Regulation of PEDF under Hypoxic Conditions.”
2000 Sigma Xi, Grant-in-Aid Award via National Academy of Sciences
“Gene Regulation of Retinal Capillary Cells under Normal and Glycemic Conditions.”
2013-2014 Johns Hopkins Postdoctoral Association (JHPDA)
Chair, Policy and Advocacy (P&A) Committee
Postdoctoral Representative at monthly Johns Hopkins Faculty Senate meetings
Postdoctoral Representative at monthly Student Health Committee meetings
Led monthly P&A Committee Meetings by setting the meeting’s agenda and disseminating the minutes of the meetings to members and JHPDA executive board members.
Successfully advocated for the enforcement of equal pay of ALL postdoctoral fellows based on the policy set forth by the university that ALL fellows are to be paid according to the established National Research Service Award (NRSA) guidelines resulting in increased pay for fellows.
Developed, administered, and summarized results from the yearly JHPDA P&A survey. Survey participation doubled from previous years due to increased online presence and campus-wide outreach.
Organized and led P&A event entitled, “Speak out for science!”. Led 20 postdoctoral fellows and graduate students to Washington D.C. and met with the offices of 5 U.S. Congressional Representatives to advocate for increased medical research funding.
Attended and reported on P&A committee progress/events at monthly JHPDA meetings.
Member, Communications Committee
Crafted and emailed weekly JHPDA bulletins on a rotating basis to ~1300 fellows.
Updated the JHPDA website with new events and information, as needed.
Helped put on annual JHPDA sponsored events, such as the Postdoc Research Symposium, POSTDOCtorfest, the December Holiday Party, and the first annual Hopkins Postdoc Retreat.
Elected Co-President of the JHPDA for the upcoming year.
Peer-reviewed
F. Delaspre, R.L. Beer, M. Rovira, W. Huang, G. Wang, S. Gee, M.D. Vitery, S.J. Wheelan, M.J. Parsons. Centroacinar cells are progenitors that contribute to endocrine pancreas regeneration. Available online 7 July, 2015 Diabetes (PMID:26153247), (pdf)
A. Subedi, M. Macurak, S.T. Gee, E. Monge, M.G. Goll, C. Potter, M.J. Parsons, M.E. Halpern. Adoption of the Q transcriptional regulatory system for zebrafish transgenesis. Available online 20 June, 2013 Methods http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ymeth.2013.06.012. PMID: 23792917, (pdf)
S.T. Gee, S.L. Milgram, K. Kramer, F.L. Conlon, S.A. Moody. Yes-associated protein 65 (YAP) expands neural progenitors and regulates pax3 expression in the neural plate border zone. Available online 8 June, 2011 PLoS ONE 6(6):e20309. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0020309. (PMID: 21687713), (pdf)
E.K. Vidro, S. Gee, R. Unda, J.X. Ma, A. Tsin. Glucose and TGF-β2 modulate the viability of cultured human retinal pericytes and their VEGF release. Current Eye Research 33(11):984-993, 2008. (PMID: 19085381), (pdf)
J. Tombran-Tink, N. Lara, S.E. Apricio, P. Potluri, S. Gee, J-x. Ma, G. Chader and C. J. Barnstable. Retinoic Acid and dexamethasone regulate the expression of PEDF in retinal and endothelial cells. Experimental Eye Research 78(5):945-955, 2004. (PMID: 15051476), (pdf)
G. Gao, Y. Li, S. Gee, A. Dudley, J. Fant, C. Crosson, J-x. Ma. Down-regulation of VEGF and up-regulation of PEDF: A possible mechanism for the anti-angiogenic activity of plasminogen Kringle 5. J Biol Chem 277(11):9492-7, 2002. (PMID: 11782462), (pdf)
G. Gao, Y. Li, D. Zhang, S. Gee, C. Crosson, J-x. Ma. Unbalanced expression of VEGF and PEDF in ischemia-induced retinal neovascularization. FEBS Letters. 489(2-3):270-276, 2001. (PMID: 11165263), (pdf)
Lay Media
Stephen Gee. Steroids and Glaucoma. Summer 1999 Prevent Blindness News. (pdf)
Stephen Gee. The AGEing (Advanced Glycation End products) Process. Diabetes Forecast. 51(10):72-74, 1998. (pdf)
A. Subedi, M. Macurak, S. Gee, M. Goll, C.J. Potter, M.J. Parsons, M.E. Halpern. Application of a new transcriptional regulatory system to zebrafish. 10th International Zebrafish Genetics and Development, Madison, Wisconsin, June 20-24, 2012.
S.T. Gee, F. Delaspre, W. Huang, M.J. Parsons. The role of the Notch-signaling pathway in pancreas regeneration. American Diabetes Association 72nd Scientific Sessions, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June 8-12, 2012.
S.T. Gee, S.L Milgram, K.L. Kramer, F.L. Conlon, S.A. Moody. YAP is an important regulator of cell differentiation. Cold Spring Harbor Meeting on Vertebrate Organogenesis, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, April 27-May 1, 2010.
S.T. Gee, S.L. Milgram, K.L. Kramer, F.L. Conlon, S.A. Moody. YAP is an important regulator of cellular differentiation. Society for Developmental Biology 68th Annual Meeting, San Francisco, California, July 23-27, 2009.
S.T. Gee, S.L. Milgram, K.L. Kramer, F.L. Conlon, S.A. Moody. Yes-associated protein 65 (YAP) expands neural and somitic progenitors and regulates Pax3 expression in the paraxial mesoderm. Society for Developmental Biology Mid-Atlantic Regional Meeting, College Park, Maryland, May 15-16, 2009.
S.T. Gee, F.L. Conlon, S.L. Milgram. Yes-associated protein 65 (YAP65) is required for early Xenopus development. Society for Developmental Biology 65th Annual Meeting, Ann Arbor, Michigan, June 17-21, 2006. Developmental Biology 295:393, 2006.
J. Tombran-Tink, S. Gee, N. Lara, J-x Ma, C.J. Barnstable. PEDF expression and promoter activity is regulated by retinoic acid. ARVO Annual Meeting, Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science. 44:E-5236, 2003.
J-x Ma, G. Gao, Y. Li, S. Gee, J. Fant, C.E. Crosson, A. Dudley. Angiogenic inhibitor K5 inhibits retinal neovascularization possibly through down-regulation of VEGF and up-regulation of PEDF. ARVO Annual Meeting, Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science. 43:E-1279, 2002.
S.T. Gee, J. Tombran-Tink, J-x. Ma. Identification of a putative enhancer region for Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor (PEDF). ARVO Annual Meeting, Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science. 43:E-689, 2002.
G. Gao, Y. Li, S. Gee, P.I. Kaufman, R.A. Saunders, C. Crosson, J-x. Ma. Unbalanced retinal VEGF and PEDF expression in oxygen-induced retinopathy. ARVO Annual Meeting, Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science. 42(4):S92, 2001.
S.M. Hammad, Y. Bellil, S. Gee, T.J. Lyons. Glycoxidized LDL induces apoptosis in retinal capillary cells. 17th International Diabetes Federation Congress. Mexico City, Mexico. November 5-10, 2000.
Stephen T. Gee, Junping Li, Brenda J. Tripathi, Ramesh C. Tripathi. Effects of TGF-beta 1, TGF-beta 2, and TGF-beta 3 on human Tenon's capsule fibroblast proliferation. ARVO Annual Meeting, Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science. 40(4):S662, 1999.
B.J. Tripathi, C.E. Yockey, S. Gee, P.C. Tripathi, R.C. Tripathi. Metabolism and growth of trabecular cells are impaired on collagenVI substrate. ARVO Annual Meeting, Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science. 39(3):S253, 1998.
2000-2015 I served as a Volunteer Editor for Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science (IOVS). I am acknowledged for my IOVS editorial work in the following publications:
Manuel F. Bande, Maria Santiago, Maria Jose Blanco, Purificacion Mera, Carmela Capeans, Maria Xose Rodrigquez-Alvarez, Maria Pardo, and Antonio Pineiro. Serum DJ-1/PARK7 is a potential biomarker of choroidal nevi transformation. IOVS 53(1):62-67, 2012. (pdf)
Mio Oshikawa, Chihiro Tsutsui, Tomoko Ikegami, Yuki Fuchida, Maki Matsubara, Shigeru Toyama, Ron Usami, Kuniyo Ohtoko, and Seishi Kato. Full-length transcriptome analysis of human retina-derived cell lines ARPE-19 and Y79 using the vector-capping method. IOVS 52(9):6662-6670, 2011. (pdf)
Stefan Arnhold, Helmut Klein, Irina Semkova, Klaus Addicks, and Ulrich Schraermeyer. Neurally selected embryonic stem cells induce tumor formation after long-term survival following engraftment into the subretinal space. IOVS 45(12):4521-4255, 2004. (pdf)
Louis Tong, Seang-Mei Saw, Jyh-Kuen Siak, Gus Gazzard, and Donald Tan. Corneal thickness determination and correlates in Singaporean schoolchildren. IOVS 45(11):4004-4009, 2004. (pdf)
Kenichi Kimoto, Kazuo Nakatsuka, Noritaka Matsuo, and Hidekatsu Yoshioka. p38 MAPK mediates the expression of type I collagen induced by TGF-β2 in human retinal pigment epithelial cells ARPE-19. IOVS 45(7):2431-2437, 2004. (pdf)
Zhiqiang Pan, Yu Chen, Wenhua Zhang, Ying Jie, Na Li, and Yuying Wu. Rat corneal allograft survival prolonged by the superantigen staphylococcal enterotoxin B. IOVS 44(8):3346-3351, 2003. (pdf)
Yuichi Kaji, Shiro Amano, Tomohiko Usui, Tetsuro Oshika, Kenji Yamashiro, Susumu Ishida, Kaori Suzuki, Sumiyoshi Tanaka, Anthony P. Adamis, Ryoji Nagai, and Seiko Horiuchi. Expression and function of receptors for Advanced Glycation End-products in bovine corneal endothelial cells. IOVS 44(2):521-528, 2003. (pdf)
Yoko Ogawa, Kazuto Yamazaki, Masataka Kuwana, Yukihiko Mashima, Yu Nakamura, Susumu Ishida, Ikuko Toda, Yoshihisa Oguchi, Kazuo Tsubota, Shinichiro Okamoto, and Yutaka Kawakami. A significant role of stromal fibroblasts in rapidly progressive dry eye in patients with chronic GVHD. IOVS 42(1):111-119, 2001. (pdf)