Alexandra Guild

Background

About Alexandra Guild

Former M.S. Biology Candidate at Cal Poly Pomona, thesis proposed Spring 2014 B.S. in Biotechnology (specialty: genetics and molecular biology) with Chemistry Minor from Cal Poly Pomona in 2012 Laboratory/Research Experience: July 2013- present; Principle Investigator: Dr. Paul Beardsley, Dr. Kristin Bozak Investigation of the genus Hemichaena (Order: Lamiales), a genus of phylogenetic uncertainty, using molecular data obtained from chloroplast trnL/F and nuclear ribosomal ITS and ETS sequences. General horticulture and plant tissue techniques, usage of herbarium specimens, as well as DNA extractions, PCR, and subsequent sequence alignments, while additional geomapping of herbarium specimens using GBIF API and Google Maps resources were performed. August 2012-June 2013; Principle Investigator: Dr. Ansel Zhao RGS2 and RGS4 gene significance in adipogenesis/osteogenesis from human mesenchymal stem cells. Stem cell culture, cell differentiation techniques, siRNA techniques, and RTq-PCR techniques were performed while also assisting in handling and culturing of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) under supervision of the Principle Investigator. June 2011- June 2012; Principle Investigator: Dr. Steve Alas Cell surface expression of RANK/RANK-L in osteoblasts and fibroblasts exposed to multiple types of novel metal alloys. Fluorescent immunostaining for visualization of multiple characteristics, provided assistance in subsequent quantification via flow cytometry, and daily performance of cell culture and differentiation techniques were included in necessary duties.