Education

The Ohio State University Ph.D. Molecular, Cellular, & Developmental Biology
June 2010 Columbus, OH 

Freed-Hardeman B.S. Biology
December 2003 University Henderson, TN

Dissertation Title
“Characterization of Novel Extracellular and Intracellular Modifiers of Apurinic/Apyrimidinic Endonuclease 1”

Teaching Experience

The Ohio State University Graduate Teaching Associate, College of Pharmacy
Columbus, OH

The Ohio State University Graduate Teaching Associate, College of Medicine
Columbus, OH 

SCHOLARLY ACTIVITY

Publications

Huang, H, Liu, T, Rose, JL, Stevens, RL, Hoyt, DG: Sensitivity of mice to lipopolysaccharide is increased by a high saturated fat and cholesterol diet. Journal of Inflammation, 4:22, 2007.

Abstracts

Kersey, C and Stevens Salmon, R: Exposing Undergraduates to Cancer Research in an  Introductory Cell Biology Course. SENCER Summer Institute, 2015.

Stevens Salmon, R and Kersey, C: Empowering Undergraduates to Advocate for Cancer Research in an Introductory Cell Biology Course.  SENCER Summer Institute, 2014.

Stevens, RL, Schneider, RA, Liu, T, and Hoyt, DG: Depletion of PIN1 increases APE1 activity in EMT6 murine mammary adenocarcinoma cells. FASEB Journal, submitted, 2010. Stevens, RL, Schneider, RA, Liu, T, Keshvara L, and Hoyt, DG: APE1 protein levels are increased in PIN1 depleted murine mammary tumors. FASEB Journal, 23: 927.2, B319, 2009.

Stevens, RL and Hoyt, DG: Integrin engagement reduces APE1 co-immunoprecipitation with XRCC1 in hydrogen peroxide-treated murine lung endothelial cells. FASEB Journal, 22: 777.2, A130, 2008.

Hoyt, DG, Stevens, RL, Schneider, RA: Effects of synthetic disintegrins on breast cancer in mice. Era of Hope Proceedings, p. 102, 2008.

Stevens, RL, Okoreeh, A, Hoyt, DG: Effects of bleomycin and integrin engagement on physical DNA breakage in endothelial cells. FASEB Journal, 21(5): A754, 2007.

Schneider, R, Stevens, RL, Hoyt, DG: Soluble anti-beta1 integrin antibody induces phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase and protein kinase B/AKT in mouse aortic endothelial cells FASEB Journal, 21(5), 2007.

Stevens, RL, Okoreeh, A, Hoyt, DG: Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 inhibits bleomycin-induced DNA damage in murine lung endothelial cells. FASEB Journal, 20(4): A673, 2006.

Huang, H, Stevens RL, Hoyt, DG: High-fat diet synergizes with endotoxin and interferon-gamma to induce pro-inflammatory gene expression in various murine tissues in vivo. FASEB Journal, 19(4):A777, 2005.

Huang, H, Rose, JL, Stevens, RL, Hoyt, DG: Effects of antioxidants on endotoxin and interferon-gamma-induced nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide production in mouse aortic endothelial cells FASEB Journal, 18(5): A1002, 2004.

PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS

Poster Presentation: Exposing Undergraduates to Cancer Research in an Introductory Cell Biology Course, SENCER Summer Institute, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2015 (presented by co-author Caleb Kersey).

Poster Presentation: Empowering Undergraduates to Advocate for Cancer Research in an Introductory Cell Biology Course, SENCER Summer Institute, UNC-Asheville, 2014.

Exit Seminar: Characterization of a Novel Intracellular Modifier of APE1, The Ohio State University, 2010.

Poster Presentation: Depletion of PIN1 increases APE1 activity in EMT6 murine mammary adenocarcinoma cells, College of Pharmacy Research Day, The Ohio State University; Molecular Life Sciences Interdisciplinary Graduate Program Symposium, The Ohio State University, 2010.

Poster Presentation: APE1 protein levels are increased in PIN1 depleted murine mammary tumors, College of Pharmacy Research Day, The Ohio State University; Molecular Life Sciences Interdisciplinary Graduate Program Symposium, The Ohio State University, 2009.

Poster Presentation: Integrin engagement reduces APE1 co-immunoprecipitation with XRCC1 in hydrogen peroxide-treated murine lung endothelial cells, Experimental Biology Meeting, San Diego, CA; College of Pharmacy Research Day, The Ohio State University; Molecular Life Sciences Interdisciplinary Graduate Program Symposium, The Ohio State University, 2008.

Poster Presentation: Effects of bleomycin and integrin engagement on physical DNA breakage in endothelial cells, Experimental Biology Meeting, Washington D.C., 2007.

Seminar: The Role of Integrins in Response to DNA Damage. MCDB 3rd year research seminar, The Ohio State University, 2007.

Seminar: Role of Integrin-linked Kinase in Regulating Phosphorylation of Akt and Fibroblast Survival in Type I Collagen Matrices through a β1 Integrin Viability Signaling Pathway. MCDB 2nd year literature-based seminar, The Ohio State University, 2006.

Poster Presentation: Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 inhibits bleomycin-induced DNA damage in murine lung endothelial cells, Experimental Biology Meeting San Francisco, CA, 2006.

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

2006-present Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET)

2009-2010 American Medical Writers Association (AMWA)

2009-2010 BioOhio

PROFESSIONAL CONFERENCES

SENCER Summer Institute Asheville, NC 2014

SENCER Summer Institute Santa Clara, CA 2013

Tennessee Academy of Sciences West TN Regional Meeting Memphis, TN 2013

SAAHP Meeting Nashville, TN 2011

Experimental Biology Meeting San Diego, CA 2008

Experimental Biology Meeting Washington D.C. 2007

Experimental Biology Meeting San Francisco, CA 2006

PROFESSIONAL COLLABORATIONS

2012-present Dr. Joe Deweese, Assistant Professor Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy

2011-2012 Dr. Jonathan Lowery, Post-Doc Harvard University School of Dentistry

Each cell in the human body contains a remarkable molecule known as DNA.   It is helpful to think of DNA as a molecular library, which contains all of the information cells need to develop and thrive.  In the English language, we organize letters into words and words into sentences to convey meaning.  In the cellular language, the DNA “alphabet” is comprised of four base letters (A, T, G, and C).  These letters form cellular words and sentences, known as genes that convey meaning to the cellular machinery.  Therefore, it is essential to the cell that the correct DNA sequence is preserved.  Any change to the DNA sequence can have devastating consequences for cellular survival (Sung and Demple 2006).

Our DNA is damaged thousands of times every day by agents we naturally encounter in our environment including sunlight, dietary components, medication, and pollution.  It is therefore relevant to study the nature and severity of DNA damage, or genotoxicity, caused by these agents in human cells.  Many studies can be cited, which especially focus on the genotoxicity of dietary and medicinal compounds.  Furthermore, a wealth of molecular techniques exists to study DNA damage in its various forms.  One such technique is known as the single cell gel electrophoresis assay, or more commonly, the comet assay (Fairbairn, Olive et al. 1995, Olive, Vikse et al. 1996, Huang, Olive et al. 1998, Olive, Johnston et al. 1998, Olive 1999, Olive, Durand et al. 1999, Bergstrom, Bergman et al. 2011, Priestley, Regan et al. 2011, Turkez 2011, Bowman, Castranova et al. 2012, Li, Kuan et al. 2012, Lindeman, Maass et al. 2012, Peng, Jiaxing et al. 2012, Turkez, Togar et al. 2012).

The comet assay is a reliable way of determining the total amount of DNA breaks that are in a cell.  The comet assay is considered a cell-based assay meaning that it is performed on cells grown in culture.  A putative damaging agent is applied to cultured cells. Many agents will cause DNA damage in the form of physical breaks in the DNA backbone.  Once breaks occur, an electrical current is used to separate broken DNA fragments from the main DNA nucleus.  The more damage in the DNA, the more fragments of DNA are able to separate from the main nucleus of DNA.  This gives rise to a comet-appearance in the DNA.  Software is then used to quantify the percentage of DNA that is in the tail of the comet.  From this assay, we are able to determine if our putative damaging agent is causing breaks in the cell and the severity of the damage (Olive, Johnston et al. 1998, Olive 1999, Rojas, Lopez et al. 1999, Olive and Durand 2005, Rojas 2009).

The cells utilized in Dr. Salmon’s lab are small intestine epithelial cells (CCL-241).  Students have started testing putative genotoxic compounds based on a review of relevant literature.  Previously, two teams began investigation of two different compounds, Garcinia Cambogia and Stevia.  Garcinia Cambogia is a weight loss supplement and Stevia is used as an artificial sweetener.  Preliminary results showed that Garcinia Cambogia may have genotoxic effects on our cells and we are conducting further investigations to characterize any genotoxicity.

References

Bergstrom, T., J. Bergman and L. Moller (2011). "Vitamin A and C compounds permitted in supplements differ in their abilities to affect cell viability, DNA and the DNA nucleoside deoxyguanosine." Mutagenesis 26(6): 735-744.

Bowman, L., V. Castranova and M. Ding (2012). "Single cell gel electrophoresis assay (comet assay) for evaluating nanoparticles-induced DNA damage in cells." Methods Mol Biol 906: 415-422.

Fairbairn, D. W., P. L. Olive and K. L. O'Neill (1995). "The comet assay: a comprehensive review." Mutat Res 339(1): 37-59.

Huang, P., P. L. Olive and R. E. Durand (1998). "Use of the comet assay for assessment of drug resistance and its modulation in vivo." Br J Cancer 77(3): 412-416.

Li, Y. C., Y. H. Kuan, F. M. Huang and Y. C. Chang (2012). "The role of DNA damage and caspase activation in cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of macrophages induced by bisphenol-A-glycidyldimethacrylate." Int Endod J 45(6): 499-507.

Lindeman, B., C. Maass, N. Duale, K. B. Gutzkow, G. Brunborg and A. Andreassen (2012). "Effects of per- and polyfluorinated compounds on adult rat testicular cells following in vitro exposure." Reprod Toxicol 33(4): 531-537.

Olive, P. L. (1999). "DNA damage and repair in individual cells: applications of the comet assay in radiobiology." Int J Radiat Biol 75(4): 395-405.

Olive, P. L. and R. E. Durand (2005). "Heterogeneity in DNA damage using the comet assay." Cytometry A 66(1): 1-8.

Olive, P. L., R. E. Durand, S. M. Jackson, J. C. Le Riche, C. Luo, R. Ma, D. B. McLaren, C. Aquino-Parsons, T. A. Thomson and T. Trotter (1999). "The comet assay in clinical practice." Acta Oncol 38(7): 839-844.

Olive, P. L., P. J. Johnston, J. P. Banath and R. E. Durand (1998). "The comet assay: a new method to examine heterogeneity associated with solid tumors." Nat Med 4(1): 103-105.

Olive, P. L., C. M. Vikse and J. P. Banath (1996). "Use of the comet assay to identify cells sensitive to tirapazamine in multicell spheroids and tumors in mice." Cancer Res 56(19): 4460-4463.

Peng, D., W. Jiaxing, H. Chunhui, P. Weiyi and W. Xiaomin (2012). "Study on the cytogenetic changes induced by benzene and hydroquinone in human lymphocytes." Hum Exp Toxicol 31(4): 322-335.

Priestley, C. C., S. Regan, B. Kevin Park and D. P. Williams (2011). "The genotoxic potential of methapyrilene using the alkaline Comet assay in vitro and in vivo." Toxicology 290(2-3): 249-257.

Rojas, E. (2009). "Special issue on the 20th anniversary of the comet assay." Mutat Res 681(1): 1-2.

Rojas, E., M. C. Lopez and M. Valverde (1999). "Single cell gel electrophoresis assay: methodology and applications." J Chromatogr B Biomed Sci Appl 722(1-2): 225-254.

Sung, J. S. and B. Demple (2006). "Roles of base excision repair sub-pathways in correcting oxidized abasic sites in DNA." Febs J 273(8): 1620-1629.

Turkez, H. (2011). "The role of ascorbic acid on titanium dioxide-induced genetic damage assessed by the comet assay and cytogenetic tests." Exp Toxicol Pathol 63(5): 453-457.

Turkez, H., B. Togar and T. Arabaci (2012). "Evaluation of genotoxicity after application of Listerine(R) on human lymphocytes by micronucleus and single cell gel electrophoresis assays." Toxicol Ind Health 28(3): 271-275.

Since the spring of 2014, the approach to teaching introductory cell biology at Freed-Hardeman University has incorporated activities that expose students to the complexities of cancer research.  In addition to learning basic cell biology, students present summaries of primary literature and conduct steps of an experiment to measure DNA damage using chemotherapeutic drugs.  Students also have the opportunity to visit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN, to organize a fundraiser, and to make a public service announcement for St. Jude during the semester.  The goal of this approach has been to present cell biology in a context that is relevant to our students. 

Implementation of this approach to the course was originally made possible through a SENCER Post-Institute Implementation Award to Dr. Samon.  To assess the approach to the course, students are given pre and post tests to measure their growth in content knowledge over the semester.  Students are also given the baseline and final Student Assessment of Their Learning Gains (SALG) to assess their perception of cell biology, cancer research, and research funding.  Assessment of student perception also occurs through evaluation of reflective papers on the student’s visit to St. Jude and student’s participation in a fundraiser for St. Jude. 

Data collected during three semesters of implementation suggests that student knowledge of basic cell biology concepts increased during the course.  Students reported encouraging gains in understanding of cancer biology and cancer research via the SALG.  Overall, the activities utilized to expose students to cancer research were beneficial and supported students learning the basic concepts of cell biology.  The instructors of this course plan to continue elements of our approach to the course in forthcoming semesters.

Adapted from:

Kersey, C and Stevens Salmon, R: Exposing Undergraduates to Cancer Research in an Introductory Cell Biology Course. SENCER Summer Institute, 2015.