NICOLE M.

KOTCHEY
3 Wellington Woods Drive
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15229
412-931-5216
nk576270@westpost.net
Research Scientist
Top performing researcher with history of planning, organizing, and conducting e
xtensive investigations into diverse disease specific therapy vectors.
* Climb steep learning curves in minimal time, rapidly learning concepts, proced
ures, and protocols.
* Delve deeper into new and existing areas, developing innovative new laboratory
techniques.
* Transform findings into actionable recommendations, translating data to divers
e audiences.
* Increase funding and support, authoring intriguing scientific journals and gra
nt proposals.
* Go above and beyond call of duty to complete projects no matter how complex or
elusive they seem.

CORE COMPETENCIES
Research & Analysis
Study Design
Lab Management
Technique Development
Animal Husbandry
Mini Surgery
Experiment Reproduction
Procedures & Protocols
Grant Proposals
Publications
Presentations
Team Leadership
Project Management

LABORATORY TECHNIQUES
PCR
Reverse-Transcriptase PCR
Southern Blot
Western Blot
Restriction Mapping
Large-Scale Plasmid DNA Preparation & Purification
Plasmid Co-Transfection
Dot Blot
Microscopy
Virus Production & Purification
Gene Cloning
Site Directed Mutagenesis
ELISA
Live Cell Imaging
Cryostat Tissue Sectioning
Microtome
Immunostaining
Human Cell Culture
FACS Analysis
DNA In-Situ Hybridization
DNA Sequence Analysis
Immunoprecipitation
Immunofluorescence
Micro-Manipulation
Gel Filtration Chromatography
Movement Assays
Protein Activity Assays

UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH & The SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (199

9 - Present)
Research Technician IV - Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics (2007 -
2010)
Investigate DNA damage in mouse model caused by recombinant adeno-associated vir
us (rAAV) mediated gene therapy vectors. Employ various laboratory techniques in
cluding PCR, Southern Blot, large-scale preparation and purification of plasmid
DNA, 3 plasmid co-transfection of 293 cells for virus production, viral purifica
tion, dot blot, gene cloning, Site Directed Mutagenesis, ELISA, cryostat tissue
sectioning, immunostaining, human cell culture, and FACS analysis.
* Laid foundation for beginning of disease specific cure, creating Peptide libra
ry used in producing virus in MDC and H9C2 cell lines.
* Cultivated talent for producing Southern blots within sensitivity of .1 copies
per cell.
* Published research in journal article.
* Acted as sole person in lab for majority of +2 years.
Graduate Student - Department of Pharmacology (2005 - 2007)
Performed allotopic expression of mRNAs as novel gene therapy for encephalomyopa
thies. Utilized laboratory techniques including PCR, Reverse-Transcriptase PCR,
Restriction Mapping, Site Directed Mutagenesis, and DNA Sequence Analysis.
* Developed in-depth knowledge of PC and Mac DNA and protein manipulation softwa
re from DNASTAR, Lasergene.
Research Technician III - Department of Pharmacology (2004 - 2005)
Researched ways to develop new inducible animal model to study Rap 1b-induced tu
morigenesis. Performed laboratory techniques including PCR, large-scale purifica
tion of IPTG induced protein production, immunoprecipitation, Western Blots, gen
e cloning, tissue culture, and immunofluorescence.
* Adopted management of lab, and ran all daily operations successfully.
* Performed surgery on mice to remove thyroid and used tissue for protein analys
is.
* Reproduced experiment for immunofluorescence with cells on glass coverslip suc
cessfully, expertly incorporating protocol.

Research Technician III - Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics (2003

- 2004)
Studied adeno-associate virus (AAV) mediated gene therapy vectors for Duchenne M
uscular Dystrophy in mouse model. Employed laboratory techniques including PCR,
RT-PCR, Southern Blot, DNA in-situ Hybridization, large-scale preparation and pu
rification of DNA plasmid, 3 plasmid co-transfection of 293 cells for virus prod
uction, viral purification, dot blot, gene cloning, tissue culture, cryostat tis
sue sectioning, and immunofluorescence. Ordered laboratory products.
* Bred, screened, and kept records of 2 transgenic mouse lines plus 3 other mous
e lines.
* Invented new technique of DNA in-situ hybridization.
* Played role in double knockout mdx/utrophin mice recovering with AAV-dystrophi
n virus.
* Conducted animal husbandry and mini surgical procedures.
* Wrote, revised, and proofread potential journal articles and grant proposals.
ADDITIONAL RESEARCH HISTORY
Undergraduate Laboratory Researcher - Department of Biological Sciences (2002)
* Researched and studied cell cycle specific pathways regulating exit from mitos
is in S. cerevisae.
* Utilized Western blots, genetic analysis, gene cloning, Microscopy (DIC & Fluo
rescence), live cell imaging, indirect immunofluorescence, and micro-manipulatio
n.
Undergraduate Laboratory Researcher - Department of Biological Sciences (1999 -
2001)
* Examined signal transduction in nerve and muscle cells as it affects proteolyt
ic processes.
* Used Gel Filtration Chromatography, movement and protein activity assays, and
genetic analysis.
EDUCATION
Master of Science in Molecular Pharmacology
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 3.61 QPA
Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology: Cell & Development Biology
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 3.96 QPA (Summa cum Laude)
AWARDS & AFFILIATIONS
Chosen Member of the Year - Madison Who's Who
AAAS / Program for Excellence in Science
Robert Grierson Scholarship
College of Arts & Science Scholarship
Outstanding Freshman Biology Student
Madison Who's Who
Genetics Society
University Scholars
Tri Beta Biological Honor Society
Golden Key National Honor Society
National Society of Collegiate Scholars
PUBLICATIONS & POSTERS
Inagaki K, Piao C, Kotchey N, Wu X, Nakai H. "Frequency and spectrum of genomic
integration of recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 8 vector in neonatal
mouse liver." J Virol. October, 2008.
Master's Thesis: Nicole M. Kotchey, Michael J. Palladino. "Allotopic Expression
of mRNAs as a Novel Gene Therapy for Encephalomyopathies." University of Pittsbu
rgh, Pittsburgh, PA. 2007
48th annual Drosophila Research Conference: Platform session: "Mitochondrial en
cephalomyopathy in Drosophila: Pathogenic mechanisms and therapeutic approaches.
" Michael Palladino, Alicia Celotto, Nicole Kotchey Adam Frank. University of Pi
ttsburgh SOM/PIND Pittsburgh PA. March 7-11, 2007.
11th Annual University of Pittsburgh Biomedical Graduate Student Research Sympos
ium. "Potential gene therapy of encephalomyopathies via transport of nascent mRN
As into the mitochondria." Nicole Kotchey and Michael J. Palladino; Molecular Ph
armacology/PIND. October 18. 2006.
Bing Wang, Juan Li, Tong Zhu, Nicole Kotchey, Chunping Qiao, Mark R Grady, Joshu
a R Sanes, Xiao Xiao. "Systemic Mini-Dystrophin Gene Transfer Improves Functions
and Life-Span of Dystrophin and Utrophin Deficient Muscular Dystrophy Mice." Un
iversity of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA. Orthopedic Research Society Award.