Jessica Semel

Hello everyone, My name is Abigail Maher. As a rising senior at Wentworth Institute of Technology, I am actively searching for a fall co-op opportunity in Biological Engineering. I am located in the Boston area, but I am able to travel as well as relocate to Rhode Island or Connecticut. If anyone has any insight to hiring positions or networking opportunities, I would be very grateful. Attached is my resume as well as some of my skills: - Molecular biology techniques (DNA and RNA isolation, restriction digest, bacterial transformation, etc.) - Experience with MATLAB in the biology space (identifying live cells from CHO images) - Tissue Engineering skills (hydrogels, 3-D bioprinting, cardiospheres)

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✨🌟 I had the incredible opportunity to attend the American Technion Society’s Pitch Night, and wow, here are some gems I picked up that I think you'll love: 1. I was blown away by the impact and scope of ATS NY Metro. It's not the MTA, but it’s just as massive with its numerous STEM initiatives👩🏻‍🔬 2. AI dominated the event, with about 90% of the ventures presented focusing on it. A fun fact: many of the SUMBA students come from diverse backgrounds, not just computer science. So yes, you can do it too👩🏻‍🎓 3. Before diving into solutions, make sure you’re passionate about the problem you're solving. It should ignite a spark in you, as you'll spend a lot of time thinking and dreaming about it🪩 4. Your connections are your BIGGEST asset. This amazing invite came because I wasn't afraid to ask for new connections publicly. Huge shout-out to Libby Budashev and 🎗️Lital Attia, PhD, SUMBA MBA, for making this happen! 🧚🏻‍♀️ And that’s the nutshell version! 🌟🌟🌟 On a personal note, I’m just like you—a woman striving for success and mastering LinkedIn as a crucial self-marketing tool. Did you connect with this? Feel like I missed something or have tips to share? Drop a comment below!👇 . . #PitchNight #TechEvents #AI #Networking #WomenInTech #STEM #LinkedInTips #AmericanTechnionSociety

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🎓 I am excited to share that I will be graduating with a Master's degree in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health this May 2024! My academic journey has been a culmination of dedication, passion, and countless hours in the lab, where I've delved deep into the intricate world of research. Through stints at esteemed institutions like the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd., and Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer(ACTREC), where I've gained hands-on experience and refining my skills in various aspects of molecular biology and biochemistry. 🔬 Throughout my academic journey, I've had the opportunity to immerse myself in a wide array of laboratory techniques, from the fundamentals such as mammalian cell culture, ELISA, gel electrophoresis, Western Blots and qPCR, to more advanced methodologies like flow cytometry and state-of-the-art techniques such as ATAC-Seq, RNA-Seq and CUT&RUN. I am also proficient in nucleic acid extraction, isolation, and purification techniques, bacterial transformations, plasmid isolation, and lentivirus generation. 🤝 Beyond technical proficiency, I bring to the table a well-rounded skillset characterized by strong communication, collaboration, and problem-solving abilities. I thrive in dynamic environments where teamwork and innovation are paramount. 🚀 As I embark on the next chapter of my career, I am eager to channel my passion for scientific discovery into a laboratory scientist role within the biotechnology industry. I am particularly drawn to opportunities that allow me to contribute to impactful initiatives while fostering continuous growth and development. 📧 If your organization is seeking a highly motivated and results-oriented recent graduate with a strong foundation in laboratory research, I would be delighted to connect and discuss how my qualifications align with your team's needs. Let's collaborate and drive innovation together! #biochemistry #molecularbiology #researchscientist #biotechnology #oncology #pharmajobs #biopharma #research #pharma

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Our new pre-print is out, exploring microbial lysates for serum-free cultivated meat growth! Existing serum-free alternatives are expensive (eg. recombinant proteins), labor intensive (eg. plant protein extracts), or otherwise time-consuming to produce. We use a rapidly replicating non-toxic bacteria V. natriegens as a cheap, simple to produce alternative. Did you know that V. natriegens has a doubling time of just 10 minutes?! Cool discoveries include - V. natriegens lysate is incredibly potent, stimulating long-term bovine cell growth at a mere 40 microgram/mL - Bovine cells can be slowly “introduced�� to higher concs of serum-free protein, exhibiting faster growth at each successive step - Our screens suggest possibly many more bacterial lysates with serum-replacing potential Thank you to all involved, and look forward to the print print! I’ll be postering on this work in a couple weeks at The International Scientific Conference on Cultured Meat (ISCCM), so come find me to chat some more.

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I’m thrilled to share that I am now a Global Outreach - Contributing Member of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) for 2025! As a member, I look forward to leveraging the numerous benefits ASM offers, including: 1. Access to Cutting-Edge Research: Stay updated with the latest scientific advancements in microbiology through exclusive #journals and publications. 2. Professional Development: Engage in various #workshops, webinars, and conferences that will help sharpen my skills and expand my knowledge in microbiology. 3. Global Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow researchers, professionals, and experts from all over the world to collaborate and share ideas. 4. Career Advancement Support: Take advantage of ASM’s #resources for career guidance, mentorship, and job # #opportunities in the field of microbiology. I’m excited to contribute to the global scientific community and stay at the forefront of microbiological research and innovation! #ASM #Microbiology #ProfessionalDevelopment #GlobalOutreach #ScientificResearch #CareerGrowth #Networking #Microbiologists #AmericanSocietyForMicrobiology

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Check out this new, interdisciplinary study titled "Bulk and interfacial behavior of potato protein-based microgels" published in Langmuir by Daisy Akgönüllü (#PhD Student) along with Nicholas O'Hagan (#Undergraduate #Project Student in my lab), Brent S. Murray, Simon Connell, Bruce Linter and Yuan {PCNA} Fang. This work shows how #plantprotein-based #microgels versus non-microgelled #plant proteins may behave at the bulk phase versus interface where #potato protein was used as the model #plantprotein. Our findings show that #potato protein #microgels had significantly higher bulk viscosity and shear thinning properties compared to the nonmicrogelled #potato protein at the same overall concentration, but the bulk rheological behavior was in sharp contrast to the interfacial rheological performance. In other words, the interfacial viscolelasticities of the potato protein films were in fact higher than for the microgelled counterparts. Although the bulk elastic modulus of parent gels increased with the #potato protein concentration which is expected, the opposite trend was seen for interfacial elasticity of the #microgels. Once these parent gels were sheared, the particles produced from gels of the highest concentrations yielded the lowest #interfacial elastic moduli. These stiffer, larger microgels likely lacked flexibility and diffused to the interface at a slower rate, whereas, upon adsorption, they appear to be less capable of forming lateral interactions, were in fact less gluey and instead yielded weaker, less interconnected interfacial films. Check how further heat treatment may affect such behaviour. To our knowledge is the first time that interfacial monolayers of potato protein microgels have been studied in details. Great job Daisy Akgönüllü and I am always excited when an undergraduate project can also provide relevant evidences to strengthen a paper, so excellent supervision Daisy and great work Nicholas O'Hagan. Thank you so much EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Soft Matter for Formulation and Industrial Innovation and PepsiCo for funding Daisy's PhD). So much to learn in colloidal performance of #alternativeprotein and #microgels - more papers will follow! Check out the #openaccess paper here:  https://lnkd.in/ez2y4r_9

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A few months ago, I decided to prioritize my academic success by implementing effective time management strategies. I didn't expect the confusion and questioning from some of my classmates... "Why are you suddenly being organized, let's go hang out somewhere!" "Are you overwhelmed with coursework?" "But you seem to be doing fine, why do you need to plan everything?" "Come on, let's just go with the flow and see what happens!" It's interesting how prioritizing structure and organization can sometimes be seen as unnecessary or rigid by others. Initially, I felt pressured to conform to the chaotic college lifestyle, but then I realized: 1- Society's idea of productivity doesn't always align with the importance of intentional planning and time management (remember when pulling all-nighters was celebrated?) 2- Your academic success is influenced by your ability to manage your time effectively. You're the one who has to juggle coursework, extracurricular activities, and social commitments, so it's crucial to prioritize organization. Remember: Prioritizing personal well-being and academic success may sometimes challenge societal norms, but ultimately, making choices aligned with our values leads to a fulfilling college experience and sets the foundation for a successful future. ✌️ PS: I'm not trying to start a debate about time management, just sharing some personal reflections. 😇 #AIESEConLinkedIn

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I am very excited to share that I have accepted an UTRA offer (paid research award issued by the Center for Career Exploration at Brown University) for the summer of 2024 to collaborate with Dr. Paja Faudree in the Anthropology Department on her innovative and exciting research project titled “Botanical Reparations: Psychoactive Plants and Indigenous People”. Read more about the research here: "Renewed interest in psychedelic drugs is taking the world by storm. Substances like psilocybin promise to revolutionize how we treat substance abuse, trauma, depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses – and might even transform how we approach our own deaths. But there is an ugly truth lurking in the shadows of the sunny optimism about psychedelics. Many psychedelic drugs are derived from plants: plants that exist in our world today because for centuries, Indigenous people cared for and learned from them. Yet Indigenous people are largely left out of decisions about the future of psychedelics. This project will involve various aspects of research surrounding psychedelic and other psychoactive plants, focusing on how they are tied to Indigenous people -- and how those ties are often erased in the context of global commodification and pharmacological research."

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Dear LinkedIn Community, I am actively seeking opportunities in the field of Biological Sciences as I prepare to graduate with my Master's in Biological Sciences (Major in Cell & Molecular Biology) from Fordham University in May 2024. My journey at Fordham has been remarkable. As a full scholarship recipient and a graduate assistant, I have had the privilege of immersing myself in groundbreaking research. With a total of 5 years of research experience, here are some highlights from my academic and research journey: 📚 Published a research paper in an international journal as a lead author, exploring the correlation between genetic marker and diabetes risk. 🔬 Conducted research on various genetic rare disorders, including the development of potential remedies for neuromuscular disorders like SMA, Fragile X Syndrome and Progeria. 💡 Led a team in identifying novel therapeutic targets for neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease, while also collaborating with cross-functional teams to establish effective research methodologies across diverse projects. 🎓 Served as a Graduate Assistant, guiding undergraduate students in biology and genetics labs, also ensuring laboratory safety and efficiency. As I embark on the next chapter of my career, I am eager to leverage my diverse skill set in scientific research methodologies, laboratory techniques, data analysis and people management to contribute to innovative projects. I am open to full-time positions, internships, or co-op opportunities starting from May 2024. If you know of any exciting roles or if you'd like to connect and provide any insights or guidance, please feel free to reach out to me via LinkedIn messaging or at mshah62@fordham.edu. Please also consider sharing this post with anyone you believe could be helpful in assisting me in finding my next endeavor. Thank you for your time, kind support, and consideration. #BiologicalSciences #CellAndMolecularBiology #GeneticsResearch #LeadAuthor #ResearchScientist #RareDisorders #PCR #WesternBlotting #NeuromuscularDisorders #NeurodegenerativeDisorders #ResearchOpportunities #DataAnalysis #ScienceCareers #ScientificResearch

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E.coli :^) My baby (E.coli) passed its one year bday! I've been taking care of this E.coli since the beginning of my research here at NC state #microbiology #microbes #biology #science #research

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𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐌𝐲 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐲 Welcome to this week's Project Lab! Today, we'll deconstruct my first-ever project experience as a lead intern, when I was a college student. Spoiler alert: I now realize I could have improved it, given what I know today. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭? Led a team of interns to identify and research alternative protein sources for animal feed, providing California farmers with the best options to replace corn and soy products. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬? The protein source had to be: → Produced in the state → In abundant supply → Lowest cost, highest quality product → Preferably, a product with accessible historical data 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭? → We successfully identified over 300 possible products → We condensed down to 10 total final product options → We conducted 2 initial studies → We earned an estimated $300,000 in lab funding to continue our research → We conducted 2 follow-up studies However, like all projects, it had its challenges. As a team of young student scientists with minimal formal project management knowledge, we encountered several obstacles. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐬? 1. Technical language – lacking domain knowledge with limited access to subject matter experts 2. Information availability and variability – disproportionate research available about certain crops affected resource allocation and rate of task completion. The combination of these two obstacles led to a decline in team engagement. Back then, I recognized there were aspects of my approach that needed improvement, but I wasn't sure how to address them. Years later, with several projects under my belt, the solutions are clearer. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐈 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐞? ↳ Regular team meetings → for check-ins, motivation gauging, and quick issue resolution. ↳ Initial technical training → for scientific paper comprehension and a universal system for annotating/gathering information. ↳ Clear project plans → to define roles and responsibilities, standardize work, and provide guidance. ↳ Documentation → to ensure accountability and streamlined knowledge transfer. ↳ Backup tasks → to ensure interns could complete their hours even if they finished primary tasks early. ↳ Balanced resource allocation → to align task completion with the internship's end. Did we achieve the goal? 𝒀𝒆𝒔. But was the process more difficult than it could have been? 𝑨𝒍𝒔𝒐 𝒚𝒆𝒔. Reflecting on lessons learned is crucial for improving → our projects → our teams → ourselves as project managers My first project was 𝐟𝐚𝐫 from perfect, but we were successful. That's a big step towards growth. P.S. Do you remember your first project? What changes would you make looking back now?

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🎉🎊I'm very excited to announce that my book chapter titled "Metagenomics in the Census of Microbial Diversity" has been published! This chapter explores the fascinating world of microbial diversity through the lens of metagenomics, shedding light on the invisible communities that play crucial roles in our ecosystems. A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Indra Mani sir for the incredible opportunity and support throughout this journey. Your guidance and encouragement have been invaluable. #Metagenomics #MicrobialDiversity #ScientificResearch #NewPublication #Grateful #Microbiology

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🌟 Exciting News! 🌟 I'm thrilled to share our latest research paper, "Unveiling Excitons in Two-Dimensional Pnictogens." This study delves into the optical, electronic, vibrational, and excitonic properties of four 2D pnictogen materials—nitrogenene, phosphorene, arsenene, and antimonene. By using density functional theory calculations and the Bethe–Salpeter equation, we discovered: 🔬 Indirect gaps with significant exciton binding energies 🔬 Isotropic behavior under circular light polarization 🔬 Anisotropic behavior under linear polarization within the visible solar spectrum (except for nitrogenene) 🔬 Raman frequency red-shifts in heavier pnictogen atoms, consistent with experimental observations 🔬 Intense quasi-particle effects influencing the linear optical response These findings highlight the immense potential of these monolayers for solar energy harvesting and advanced optoelectronic device applications and open new research possibilities in our field. Join us in exploring how these innovative materials can pave the way for the next generation of optoelectronic technologies. The paper is available here https://lnkd.in/eERefS3J, and it's open access. Special thanks to our team, who made this possible: Marcos R. Guassi, Rafael Besse, Maurício Piotrowski, Celso Ricardo Rêgo, Diego Guedes-Sobrinho, Andréia Luisa da Rosa, and Alexandre Cavalheiro Dias. #Simstack #Optoelectronics #SolarEnergy #Nanotechnology #Pnictogens #Excitons #MaterialsScience #Wantibexos

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Check out this article about what I've been working on this summer!

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🔬 Am excited to share my latest research findings on delving into the anti-inflammatory potential of Adansonia digitata stem bark extract has been an enlightening journey. My study sheds light on its impact on MCP-1 and VCAM-1 receptors, paving the way for potential therapeutic anti-inflammatory agents. 💡 Additionally, I'm passionate about understanding the normal mechanisms behind pro-inflammatory signals and their role in microbial defense. Join me in the quest to decipher these pathways and how they go awry at disease states. Let's connect and collaborate to advance scientific understanding! #Biochemist #ResearchEnthusiast #InflammationResearch #MicrobialDefense #ScientificDiscovery 🧪📚

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I'm excited to share that my paper, "The Narrative of Climate Change Culpability", has been published in the 15th edition of Philologia, the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences Academic Journal! This article sheds light on the discursive tactics of the fossil-fuel industry to redirect blame onto the public for climate change in an effort to hide their environmentally damaging tactics. Through rigorous analysis, this research interprets the many tactics put forth by the fossil-fuel industry and the role of contemporary grassroots movements to change the narrative. I hope this publication will contribute to meaningful change and raise awareness on the long-term implications of climate inaction.

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As of today, I have completed my 9-week, full-time summer research internship in the Princeton Baby Lab! I have learned more than I could have ever imagined about the intersection of developmental psychology and neuroscience and sincerely look forward to continuing my research. My main focus this summer has been assisting postdoctoral fellow Dr. Steven Elmlinger on a couple different projects he has been working on. The work compromised of a lot of reading at first but gradually shifted to helping run studies as well as analyzing data. The project I based my presentation on was the basis of neural coupling between infants and their caregiver during play (basically the extent to which the brainwaves of an infant and their caregiver rise and fall together/apart). The specific focus was on how this neural coupling is tied to language development. Results are still very preliminary, but we interestingly found that neural coupling seems to be prevalent between infants and caregivers when an infant is laughing and/or crying for a significantly higher proportion of their vocalizations. If you're interested in some more of the specifics, check out my 3-minute rundown here! (https://lnkd.in/g7wve5HW) Some highlights from the program: Office of Undergraduate Research panels: the OUR hosted weekly of panel, covering everything from science communication to industry vs. academia. A variety of faculty came in and answered questions from the interns and OUR staff, providing valuable insights into the world of research. Introduction to R class: offered as an optional supplemental audit course in which basic statistical analysis for neuroscience and psychology was taught. Culminating in a final assessment and a project where I focused on using R to analyze behavioral health data! Helping to run study participants: a bit of a broad category that includes every part of the process of bringing participants in for a study, including recruitment, staying in contact, sibling sitting (keeping siblings occupied while their sibling is in a study elsewhere in the lab), and engaging with participants directly while they are completing the study. Deliverables: the internship culminated in the creation of a poster presentation as well as a 3-minute video briefly covering your research topic, methods, results, and discussion. We then presented are posters at the final colloquium that had more than 100 attendees. Building my research community: this summer, I was lucky enough to work in a lab that had many other interns working alongside me! I also privileged enough to have amazing advisors who I am ecstatic to continue to work with.

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After a year of development, I am excited to announce that my research paper, "The Public Health Implications of Urban Green Space," has been published in the Journal of International Service at AU! I would like to thank my professors Dr. Anders Hardig and Dr. Robert Adcock for advising me through my research courses at American University and helping me develop this paper. I would also like to thank Lindsay Bacurin for working with me closely through several rounds of edits to improve my existing work. It is also important to mention my close friend, Chase Whitehouse, who has been by my side throughout the entire process. This research paper discusses several topics relating to urban green spaces, but it mainly focuses on how parks and open spaces can affect residents during public health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. My work observes the mental and physical health benefits green areas can have for residents through a historical and comparative case study analysis. This approach allowed me to identify what incentivizes cities to build and maintain green spaces. This research also enabled me to understand why green space is important to residents and should be promoted by city governments. If you are interested in topics related to urban planning, environmentalism, or politics, you should give this paper a read!

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