2020 - Genetics Career Workshop
Wednesday, February 19th
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM; BPS 1425
Lunch is provided for all attendees following the panel
Panelists:
Dr. Brian Brunelle - Lead Product Scientist, Targeted Sequencing Solutions, Arbor Biosciences
Brian Brunelle joined Arbor Biosciences in 2017 and is currently the Lead Product Scientist for Targeted Sequencing Solutions. Previously, Brian spent nearly a decade leading a research project as a scientist with the USDA on how antibiotics affect the virulence of multidrug-resistant Salmonella. Brian’s education includes: post-doctoral research focused on studying genetic factors in cattle associated with resistance and susceptibility to bovine spongiform encephalitis at the National Animal Disease Center; a Ph.D. from UC Berkeley for investigating the phylogenetic and evolutionary relationships among strains of the human bacterial pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis; and a B.S. in Biochemistry and Biophysics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Dr. Emily Frankman - Policy Analyst at Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
Emily Frankman received her BS in Biology at Loyola University Chicago and her PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at MSU. She carried out her graduate research in Dr. Curtis Wilkerson’s laboratory, where her research focused on understanding grass cell wall biosynthesis, specifically the diferulate cross-linking between cell wall components. After a short postdoc at the University of Michigan studying cellulose synthesis, Emily found a great opportunity to work in public health policy for the State of Michigan. In May 2019, she started her role as a policy analyst in Michigan’s Medicaid Long-Term Supports and Services bureau. Her policy areas include the home and community-based waiver program, MI Choice, and the brain injury services program, which may see a drastic increase in demand due to the recent changes in Michigan’s Auto No-Fault law.
Dr. Douglas Gage - Assistant VP of Research and Innovation, Michigan State University
Doug Gage supports cross-campus interdisciplinary research initiatives and manages the internal grant program in the MSU Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation. He has primary responsibility for coordinating the MSU Global Impact Initiative, a campus-wide effort to hire more than 100 additional faculty in the STEM and biomedical disciplines. Doug was the academic lead on two major research building projects: the Molecular Plant Sciences Building (2012) and the Interdisciplinary Sciences and Technology Building (2019). Previously, he was a professor in BMB where his research focused on metabolic engineering of plant biochemical pathways. In 2002 Doug took a position at Pfizer Global Research and Development in Ann Arbor where he was a Senior Director leading the preclinical and early clinical development biomarker efforts. He earned BS and MS degrees in Biology from Florida State University and a PhD in Botany from the University of Texas at Austin. He did post-doctoral training at the MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory and at the MSU NIH Mass Spectrometry Research Resource.
Dr. Emily Piper - Director, Global Genetics Laboratory Operations & Customer Support, Zoetis Inc.
Emily Piper is currently Director, Global Genetics Laboratory Operations and Customer Support at Zoetis Inc. She is responsible for the operational aspects of delivering Zoetis’ global genetics business through oversight of the laboratory based in Kalamazoo MI, and the customer support teams based in the USA, Australia and New Zealand. Prior to her current role, Emily was the Technical Manager for the Genetics portfolio for Zoetis Australia, assisting customers in maximizing the value of genomic technologies through application of the information in their selection and breeding programs. Emily holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Science from The University of Sydney, and a PhD in veterinary science (molecular biology) from The University of Queensland. Before her career with Zoetis, Emily held a faculty position at The University of Queensland where her primary role was to provide scientific leadership to the Animal Genetics Laboratory based in the School of Veterinary Science.
Dr. Aaron Wyman - Associate Professor of Biology at Spring Arbor University (PUI)
Aaron Wyman was born and raised in a Mid-Michigan farming community, an environment that cultivated his passion for education and the plant sciences. He earned an undergraduate degree at a liberal arts college where faculty and students worked in concert to promote student understanding and command of concepts and applications. Aaron encourages similar student development by establishing a collaboration of teaching and learning between himself and the students, and he emphasizes student critical thinking and analytical skills. His research interests range from bioremediation and ecology to plant molecular biology and biochemistry to biomedical and microbiological studies.