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Kelsey Mainard

I study Epigenetics

Neurogeneticist

I'm specialized in immunohistochemistry, confocal microscopy, RNA-sequencing, and R coding, although I also have a background in molecular skills including gene transformation, PCR, and mini/midi preps. My current research uses Drosophila sleep as way to study the rhythmicity of post-translational modifications (PTMs) through sleep/wakefullness regulation.

University: Texas A&M University
Program: Department of Biology, PhD
Year: Second Year
Email: k.mainard@tamu.edu

In 2019 I moved from my hometown in California to Texas to pursue my undergraduate degree at Texas A&M University. While in school, I started undergraduate research with Dr. L. Rene Garcia in 2021 investigating my self-directed research question of "How is stress spread?" in C. elegans. Before graduating in 2023 I was recruited as a Research Assistant for Dr. Wanhe Li, where shortly after I decided to continue my work and pursue my PhD in Biology in 2024.

I am deeply passionate about scientific learning and biostatistics! My main research interests include epigenetics/genetics, neuroscience, bioinformatics, and molecular biology.

Education & Experience

Education

PhD in Biology (Current)

Texas A&M University, College Station, TX

Researching PTMs regulating sleep/wakefulness in Drosophila through RNA-sequencing and immunohistochemistry

Ongoing Certification of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology

Advised by Dr. Wanhe Li

Bachelor of Science in Biology | Honors | Business Minor

Texas A&M University, College Station, TX

Molecular biology training and research on C. elegans stress response

Advised by Dr. Luis Rene Garcia

Professional Experience

Full-Time Research Assistant

2023 - 2024

Dr. Wanhe Li, College Station, TX

Lab Skills: fly handling, brain, CNS, and salivary gland dissection, immunohistochemistry, creation of graphics and statistical tests using both R and GraphPad Prism, large scale fly food preparation, application of genetic cross principles, shadowed Nobel Laureate Dr. Michael W. Young in polytene chromosome squash procedure
Management Skills: mentoring and training undergraduates and rotational students, communicating schedules and resource availability for lab members, presenting findings and research to lab members
Lab Equipment Used: Nikon AXR laser scanning confocal microscope (Z stack and 3D projection), Zeiss LSM900 Confocal microscope with Airyscan, Drosophila Activity Monitors

Undergraduate Research

2021 - 2023

Dr. L. Rene Garcia, College Station, TX

Formulated personal research question examining how stress is spread in C. elegans males.
Ran experiments to determine controls such as temperature, mating time, and male:female ratio
Assisted molecular/genetic procedures to identify interactions in tail muscle development
Processed samples using PCR, gene transformation, mini/midi preps, gel electrophoresis, enzyme reactions
Equipment Experience: multidimensional FRET imaging from conical microscope, gel electrophoresis cameras, compound microscopes, autoclave, agarose pump

Skills

✓ Coding: R, HTML, Bash, High Process Computing

✓ Softwares: ImageJ, GraphPad Prism, R Studio, Ensembl, NCBI Blast, Adobe Photoshop & Adobe Illustrator, IGV, EndNote, RegEx, Jalview, Excel Essential Training (Microsoft 365)

✓ Lab Techniques: Drosophila care as well as fly brain, CNS, and salivary gland dissection, immunohistochemistry, PCR, gene transformation, mini/midi preps, gel electrophoresis, enzyme reactions, large scale fly food preparation, application of genetic cross principles, salivary gland polytene chromosome squash

✓ Equipment: confocal microscopes (Zeiss LSM900 with Airyscan & Nikon AXR laser scanning - for Z stack and 3D projection), Drosophila Activity Monitors, compound microscopes, autoclave, agarose pump

✓ Interpersonal: strong scientific writing and oral presentation skills, mentoring and training undergraduates and rotational students, communicating schedules and resource availability for lab members, presenting findings and research to lab members