HEIDI M - University of Mary Hardin–Baylor



HEIDI M. DIFRANCESCA, Ph.D.

Curriculum Vitae

EDUCATION

Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA

Ph.D., Biological Sciences with emphasis in Oncology and Endocrinology, December 2007

Doctoral Thesis Research: Characterization of Steroid Sulfatase in Human and Mouse Tissues and in the Mouse MC3T3-E1 Pre-Osteoblastic Cell Line

Doctoral Thesis Research Topics:

• Relationship of steroid sulfatase in the physiology and pathophysiology of breast cancer and osteoporosis

• Steroid sulfatase as a prognostic indicator for breast cancer

• Role of steroid in breast cancer cells

• Role of steroid sulfatase in human bone cells

• Characterization of steroid sulfatase in mouse bone cells

• Role of steroid sulfatase in mouse bone cells

• Description of steroid sulfatase in various CF67BL mouse tissue

Lee University, Cleveland, TN

Bachelor of Science, Biological Sciences, July 1998

Magna Cum Laude, Dean’s List

Alpha Chi Medical Honor Society

Collegiate Soccer Player (1994-1998), Regional and National Scholar Athlete

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Assistant Professor of Biology August 2013-Present

• Taught Anatomy and Physiology I & II

Lake Erie College, Part-time Instructor August -December 2010

• Taught Principles of Biology (Freshman, Biology Majors) and Concepts in Biology (Non-majors)

McMurry University, Assistant Professor of Biology August 2008-August 2010

• Taught Genetics, Cell and Molecular Biology, Biological Literature, Cancer Biology, Cell and Molecular Biology laboratory, Advanced Molecular Biology laboratory, and Senior Capstone laboratory research-based course

• Mentored undergraduate research assistants

• Conducted small, student-focused research projects based on extensions of dissertation work

• Helped develop and implement new Biomedical Sciences degree program, including significant course and curricula development

• Participated in rigorous course assessment program, which required objective evaluations of all courses taught, including appraisal of teaching effectiveness and an action plan for improvement

• Participated in Preview Day each quarter – designed to actively recruit and engage prospective students

• Collaborated on small research projects with Receptor Logic, a small, local biotechnology company centered on the development of therapeutic antibodies using a T-cell receptor mimic

• Collaborated on small research projects with Dr. Jon Weidanz, a faculty member of Texas Tech University School of Pharmacy

Duquesne University, Teaching Assistant August 2003-May 2007

• Taught laboratory courses and recitation sections for Freshman, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors

Courses:

Cell / Systems Physiology Super Lab (Spring 2006, 2007); Super Lab I (Fall 2004,

2006); Cell and Molecular Biology (Fall 2005); Genetics (Spring 2005); General Biology I and II Lecture and Laboratory (Fall 2004, Spring 2005)

Responsibilities for the courses included:

• Prepared and administered mini-lectures that both reviewed previous material and taught select topics not covered in lecture

• Reviewed and answered questions concerning lecture material and homework

• Held recitation sections

• Designed laboratory experiments

• Presented background information regarding experiments

• Demonstrated proper laboratory techniques and instrumentation relevant to the experiment

• Designed homework assignments and rubrics

• Quizzed students orally on their laboratory assignments

• Graded formal laboratory reports, abstracts, grant proposals, quizzes, assignments, lecture exams, and laboratory practical exams

• Held office hours

• Mentored Masters and undergraduate students

• Attended teaching conferences and seminars to augment teaching skills

Teaching Conferences and Classes

McMurry University Faculty Retreat Seminar

• “Get Students to Focus on Learning Instead of Grades: Teach them How to Learn!”; Presented by Dr. Saundra Yancy McGuire, Ph.D., Director for Academic Success, Louisiana State University (2008)

Center for Teaching Excellence, Duquesne University

• “Lecturing for Increased Comprehension” (2007)

• “Discussion As a Way of Teaching” (2007)

• “Teaching with Style” (2007)

• “How People Learn: From Speculation to Science” (2007)

• “The Courage to Teach” (2007)

• “Making the Most of Every Mark: Responding Effectively to Student Writing” (2007)

• “Writing the Statement of Teaching Philosophy” (2005)

• “Developing a Teaching Portfolio” (2005)

• “Preparing the CV and Cover Letter” (2005)

• “Getting Ready for the Interview” (2005)

Training Conferences for Faculty Development

• American Association for Cancer Research Advances in Breast Cancer Research: Genetics, Biology, and Clinical Applications; attended meeting in October 2009

Student Mentoring

McMurry Students

Heather Chalifour, senior undergraduate student; Malaney Lopez, senior honor’s undergraduate student; Amanda Miller, senior undergraduate student; Gina Ortiz, junior undergraduate student; Derek David, senior undergraduate student; Matthew Durham, senior undergraduate; Lynnette Courtney, senior undergraduate student; Aaron Gilbreath, senior undergraduate student; Salvadore Preito, senior undergraduate student; Colin Byrd, senior undergraduate student

Duquesne Students

Laura Vollmer, 2nd year Masters student; Dan Finnegan, senior undergraduate student; Jessica Geisler, senior undergraduate student; Stephanie Bloss, sophomore undergraduate student; Michael O’Malley, 2nd year Masters in Health Administration / Post-Baccalaureate; Shivitri Mahendiran, sophomore undergraduate student

TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Developed immunohistochemical assays to analyze single tissue samples, tissue micro-arrays, and cells cultured on coverslips

• Skilled in brightfield microscopy and digital image capturing

• RNA extraction on single tissue samples, tissue micro-arrays, cultured cells, and whole tissues

• Developed real time-PCR methods on single tissue samples, tissue micro-arrays, cultured cells, and whole tissues

• Proficient in primer design

• DNA agarose gels and image capture

• Cell culture techniques including media preparation, cell counting, and growth assays

• Western blotting

• Radio-labeled conversion assays

• Proficient with word processing, graphics, data analysis, and presentation software packages. Familiar with Windows and Macintosh operating systems. Proficient in internet, Moodle, and Blackboard use

PRESENTATIONS

• “Characterization of the Enzyme Steroid Sulfatase in MC-3T3 E1 Mouse Bone Cells.” DiFrancesca HM, Selcer KW. Society for the Study Reproduction, San Antonio, TX, July 2007

• “Immunohistochemical Analysis of Steroid Sulfatase in Various Human Tissues.” Selcer, KW, DiFrancesca, HM, Chandra, AB, Li, PK. American Association of Cancer Research, Los Angeles, CA, April 2007

• “Immunohistochemical Analysis of Steroid Sulfatase in Various Human Tissues.” Selcer, KW, DiFrancesca, HM, Chandra, AB, Li, PK. Science 2006 Symposium (for academia and industry leaders), University of Pittsburgh. October 2006

• “Regulation of Steroid Sulfatase in Human Breast Cancer Cells and Mouse Bone Cells.” DiFrancesca, HM. Ph.D. Candidate Seminar, Duquesne University October, 2006

• “Regulation of Steroid Sulfatase in Human Breast Cancer Cells and Mouse Bone Cells.” DiFrancesca, HM. Ph.D. Candidate Seminar, Duquesne University October, 2005

PUBLICATIONS

• Selcer, KW, DiFrancesca, HM, Chandra, AB, Li, PK. Immunohistochemical Analysis of Steroid Sulfatase in Human Tissues. Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 2007 105(1-5):115-123.

• DiFrancesca, HM, Selcer, KW. Characterization of Steroid Sulfatase in MC3T3-E1, a Mouse Pre-osteoblastic Cell Line. Submitted to Journal of Bone and Mineral Research 2007

• DiFrancesca, HM, Selcer, KW, Davis, VL. The Distribution of Steroid Sulfatase in CF67/BL Mouse Tissues. In preparation for submission to Journal of Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology

• DiFrancesca, HM, Selcer, KW. Presence and Activity of Steroid Sulfatase During Differentiation in MC3T3-E1 Mouse Pre-Osteoblastic Cells. In preparation for submission to Journal of Bone and Mineral Research

• DiFrancesca, HM, Selcer, KW. Minireview: Steroid Sulfatase in Bone. In preparation for submission to Endocrinology Reviews

HONORS AND AWARDS

• LI-COR Genomics Education DNA Sequencing Grant – Fall 2008

• Bayer Research Fellowship – Fall 2007

• Mentor for New Teaching Assistants – Summer 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007

• Duquesne University, Department of Biology Teaching Assistantship: 2003-2007

• Duquesne University, Tuition Scholarship: 2003-2007

COMMITTEE WORK

• Major advisor and Committee Chair for Malaney Lopez’s undergraduate Honor’s Thesis: Characterization of Steroid Sulfatase in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 Human Breast Cancer Cell Lines

• Committee Chair for Jennifer Revell’s undergraduate Honor’s Thesis: Gene Therapies for Colorblindness

• Committee Member for Matthew Durham’s undergraduate Honor’s Thesis: Design of a GFP-encoding vector compatible for transfection into Bacillus Thuringiensis

• Faculty Representative to the Board of Trustees: Student Affairs and Religion

AFFLIATIONS / PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

American Association for Cancer Research; Society for the Study of Reproduction, Development Committee; Women in Science, McMurry University, Founder and Sponsor; Women in Science, Duquesne University; Graduate Student Organization of Biological Sciences, Duquesne University, Chair of Mentor Committee

PUBLIC MEDIA

• Interviewed by KTXS, a local ABC affiliate, for LICOR Genomic Education DNA Sequencing Grant Award

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

RedPath Integrated Pathology January 2008-August 2008

Research Coordinator, Short- term Contractual Position

Helped facilitate product development and marketing of products to healthcare professionals

• Served as liaison between healthcare industry and product development and laboratory technician teams

• Cultivated relationships with key thought leaders within the healthcare industry

• Presented clinical details of product information to the sales and the marketing teams to better equip them to carry out their responsibilities

• Presented technical, research-oriented information to healthcare professionals

• Served as a resource for the sales in marketing teams

Ground Zero Youth Organization, Inc., Syracuse, NY October 2001-August 2003

Co-founded a not-for-profit organization for disadvantaged youth administered in a local church, First Christian Assembly of Syracuse

• Managed budget

• Developed strategic alliances with local business leaders for event sponsorships

• Planned and supervised both large and small scale events, including conferences and seminars

• Supervised volunteer staff

• Held mentorship training seminars for volunteer staff

• Generated mentorship curricula for volunteer staff

Arch Wireless, Columbia, MD January 2000-October 2001

National Accounts Federal Division, National Accounts Sales Specialist

Spearheaded transformation of a declining Federal Accounts Division in to a competitive wireless solutions provider

• Sold wireless products and managed federal government and national commercial accounts

• Created new market and business opportunities

• Developed strategic partnerships with regional and national decision makers

• Developed and implemented training programs on market products to improve sales

• Averaged 106% of quota

• Provided advanced product support and solutions to local market representatives

• Re-negotiated contracts to restore accounts with former clients

Limited Brands, Glen Burnie, MD December 1998-October 2000

Sales Associate for women’s fashions

• Trained new associates

• Won regional and national awards

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