pburch@watson.bcm.tmc.edu (Paula E. Burch) (11/12/90)
Academic or Industrial Position Wanted for Molecular Biologist
I am a research molecular biologist who is ready to make a career change away
from a 100% research position. As I am not interested in spending the rest of my
qlife hustling for ever-dwindling grant monies, my ideal job would either be
teaching at a small college, where teaching takes precedence over research, or
working for a pharmaceutical/biotech firm in which my research skills would be
complemented by my skills in dealing with other people, teaching laboratory
techniques and theory, and/or using computers.
I am willing to relocate.
Immediately following this note is my curriculum vitae. Anybody with information
on a possible position, please e-mail me, or call me at (713) 798-4409 or
(713)748-1644.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Paula E. Burch, Ph.D.
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Curriculum Vitae
Paula E. Burch, Ph.D.
Addresses:
home: work:
2346R Camden Drive Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, Texas 77021 Dept. of Cell Biology, room 127D
(713)748-1644 One Baylor Plaza
e-mail: Houston, Texas 77030
pburch@bcm.tmc.edu (713)798-4409
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Degrees conferred:
Ph.D., Biology, Rice University, Houston, Texas; April, 1989.
M.A., Biology, Rice University, Houston, Texas; May, 1986.
B.S., Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland;
May, 1982.
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Honors and Awards:
Postdoctoral Fellow, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, July 1,
1990, to present.
Elected to membership, Sigma Xi, scientific honor society, 1990.
NIH predoctoral trainee, Cell and Molecular Biology Training Grant,
February 1, 1985, through May 1989.
Member, General Honors Program, University of Maryland, 1978-1982.
National Merit Scholar Finalist, 1978.
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Teaching Experience:
Teaching Assistant, Genetics, Rice University, January-May 1984 and
1985.
Teaching Assistant, Introductory Biology, Rice University, Aug.-Dec.
1984.
Teaching Assistant, Experimental Biology Laboratory, Rice University,
Aug.-Dec. 1983.
Independent Tutor, General Honors Program, University of Maryland,
1982-1983.
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Postdoctoral Experience:
May 1989 Postdoctoral Research Associate, Baylor College of
to present Medicine,Houston, Texas
Project Title: Regulation of Human Hepatic Lipase
Project Summary: In locating a negative regulatory element upstream of the human
hepatic lipase gene, a gene whose activity is negatively correlated with levels
of high-density lipoproteins (HDLs) and thus positively correlated with the risk
of atherosclerosis, I have constructed clones containing various portions of
the upstream regulatory region of hepatic lipase, attached to an expression
reporter gene, lucif{erase; and I have assayed their expression in cultured
human hepatoma cells.
Techniques used include DNA sequencing; DNA restriction digestions and
ligations; plasmid preparations with gradients and columns; vector construction;
in vitro mammalian gene expression; amplification of sequences using polymerase
chain reaction (PCR); Southern transfers and hybridizations; maintenance of
mammalian cells in continuous culture; expression of eukaryotic genes; and
luciferase assays.
Computer Experience: DNA sequence homology comparisons, via communications
software, with sequences available in the mainframe at Baylor; teaching the use
of library literature search systems and Macintosh graphics and word processing
programs informally to colleagues.
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Predoctoral Experience:
August 1983 Graduate student, Rice University, Houston, Texas
to April 1989 Biology Department (GPA: 3.95 / 4.0)
Dissertation Title: DNA Damage and Cell Lethality by Photodynamically Produced
Oxygen Radicals
Dissertation Summary: I used synthetic dyes as models for studying the
photodynamic effect. I determined that the DNA damage produced in vitro by the
photodynamic effect was mediated primarily by hydroxyl radical, rather than
singlet oxygen, as shown by scavenger studies, spectrophotometric assays for the
specific radicals, deuterium substitution, DNA strand scission studies, and
studies of the effects of chelators and reducing agents normally found in the
cell. The illuminated dyes were found to deplete reductants in vivo, and
lethality in vivo was reduced by enhanced levels of oxygen-scavenging and
DNA-repair enzymes.
Techniques used: DNA strand scission assay; spectrophotometric assays for DNA,
protein, superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, hydroxyl radical,
glutathione, reduction of cytochrome c, and oxidation of NADH; assays of
differential bacterial lethality; transformation of bacteria with plasmids
coding for protective enzymes; agarose and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.
Computer Experience: Macintosh graphics and word-processing systems; preparation
of illustrations for posters and published papers; page lay-out and writing in
editing a newsletter for the Gulf Coast-Houston chapter of the Association for
Women in Science; minor programming in BASIC.
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Undergraduate Experience:
1978-1982 Undergraduate student, studying biochemistry and fine arts,
University of Maryland, College Park.
1982-1983 Took additional classes in molecular biology and genetic
analysis, University of Maryland, College Park.
Additional Work Experience:
1981 Laboratory assistant, Lipid Lab, Human Nutrition Laboratory,
USDA Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Beltsville, Md.
Duties included: reagent preparation; protein assays; preparation of erythrocyte
TghostsU for microviscosity measurements; blood sampling of experimental
animals (rabbits); and data analysis.
Computer experience: Fortran programming coursework.
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Publications:
1. Production of superoxide by photosensitizati{_on. Martin, J.P., and P.E. Burch.
Methods in Enzymology 186:635-645 (1990).
2. DNA Damage and Cell Lethality by Photodynamically Produced Oxygen Radicals.
P. E. Burch. Doctoral Dissertation, Rice University, 1989.
3. Oxygen radicals are generated by dye-mediated intracellular photooxidations.
Martin, J.P., and P.E. Burch. In: ROxyradicals in Molecular Biology and
Pathology,S I.JFridovich, J. McCord, and N. Cerutti (eds.), Alan Liss: New York.
(1988).
4. Protection against dye mediated photodynamic effects is conferred by DNA
repair enzymes and oxygen radical scavengers. Burch, P.E., and J.P. Martin.
FASEB Journal 2(4)A766 (1988).
5. Oxygen Radical Generation in E. coli B by dye mediated photooxidation. Burch,
P.E., and J.P. Martin, Jr. Federation Proceedings 46:1045 (1987).
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References are available upon request.