Curriculum Vitae

Developed skills in live calcium imaging of pancreatic slices and microscopy pipeline to investigate cellular function by correlating metabolic FLIM and calcium imaging

California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA) 2016-2019

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Principal Investigator: Dr. Cecilia Zurita-Lopez

We identified arginine methylation sites (621,623, 625) in PGC-1α, a protein implicated in metabolic diseases such as diabetes and obesity, to further study possible crosstalk between post-translational modifications using biochemical techniques such as expressing and purifying proteins, gel electrophoresis, and western blots.

California Institute of Technology (Caltech) Summer 2018

Amgen Scholar

Principal Investigator: Ellen Rothenberg

Co-mentor: Maile Romero-Wolf and Hiroyuki Hosokawa

Implemented the CRISPR/Cas9 system on mice bone marrow cells to knock out transcription factors called Runx1 and Runx3. We used cell culture and flow cytometry to determine the phenotype of the knockouts in the differentiation and development of T cells.

California Institute of Technology Summer 2017

WAVE Johnson&Johnson Scholar Undergraduate Summer Research Fellow

Principal Investigator: David Tirrell

Co-mentor: Joshua Baccile

We created X-TEN artificial protein hydrogel using restriction site enzyme cloning, protein expression, Ni-NTA column purification, SDS PAGE, MALDI mass spectrophotometry, Ellman’s assay, protein chemical cross-linking and formation, and rheology.

Publications

Cuala, J., White, K., Georgia, S.

Beta Cell Heterogeneity: Past, Present, Future

Review in preparation

Cuala, J., White, K., Georgia, S.

Utilizing metabolic fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) to investigate metabolism

within fixed samples

Methods/Technology Paper In preparation

Kaylee* Sara, Sophie, Cuala, J., Georgia, S., White, K., Malmstadt, N. 2023

Separable microfluidic device for multimodal imaging of live and fixed tissue slices

Methods/Technology Paper In preparation

Parveen, N., Wang, J.K., Bhattacharya, S., Cuala, J., Rajkumar, M.S., Wu, X., Shih, H.P., 2023

Georgia, S.K., and Dhawan, S.

DNA methylation Dependent Restriction of Tyrosine Hydroxylase Contributes to Pancreatic β-cell Heterogeneity

DOI: 10.2337/db22-0506

Deshmukh, A., Cuala, J., Vanslembrouck, B., Chang, K., Georgia, S., Loconte, V., and White, K.L. 2023

A Soft X-Ray Tomography Pipeline For Quantifying Islet Cell Structure

Under Review in Journal of Cell Science

Millette, K.*, Cuala, J.*, Wang, P., Marks, C., Woo V., Hayun, M., Harsimar, K., 2022

Martin, M.G., Dhawan S., Fraser, S.R., Junge J., Lewis, M., and Georgia, S. *Co-first authors*

SARS-CoV2 Infects Pancreatic Beta Cells in vivo and Induces Cellular and Subcellular Disruptions that Reflect Beta Cell Dysfunction

Under Review in Nature Metabolism

https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-592374/latest

Mendoza, M., Mendoza, M., Lubrino T., Briski S., Osuji I., Cuala, J., Ly, B., 2022

Ocegueda, I., Peralta, H., Garcias, B., and Zurita-Lopez, C.

Arginine methylation of the PGC-1A C-terminus by PRMT7 is Temperature-Dependent.

ACS Biochemistry

DOI:10.1021/acs.biochem.2c00363

Acknowledged

Shin, B., Hosokawa, H., Romero-Wolf, M., Rothenberg, Ellen V. 2021

Runx1 and Runx3 drive progenitor to T-lineage transcriptome conversion in mouse T-cell commitment

via dynamic genomic site switching

PNAS

“…E. Janielle Cuala and Suin Jo for preliminary experiments….”

https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2019655118

Honors & Recognitions

2024

Janelia 4D Workshop Participant and Travel Grant Receipient
ENDO Future Leaders Advancing Research in Endocrinology Fellow

2023

USC Keck Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) Foundation Scholar Award
CHLA DBRM Best Ph.D. Student Oral Presentation

2022

CHLA 2022 Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine Retreat Photo Contest Winner
CHLA 2022 Science Day 3-Minute Oral Presentation People’s Choice Award
CHLA 2022 Science Day Poster Finalist
Voted Best Poster Presentation for PIBBS Recruitment Day
Invited International GWIS Panel Speaker for Career Supports

2021

CHLA Papillon d’Or Winner for 2021 Image Contest
USC Center for Excellence in Teaching Future Faculty Teaching Institute Certification
Completion of a 14-week course in the classroom and online course design and teaching practices
Diabetic Research Connection 2021 Trainee Award
Western Regional Islet Study Group (WRISG) Top 3 Oral Presentation Award
USC Graduate Student Government (GSG) Research Symposium 3rd Runner-Up
Bio-Rad Invited Guest Blogger for Lab Crunches: https://www.bio-rad-antibodies.com/blog/can-covid-trigger-diabetes.html

2020

USC Keck School of Medicine Fellowship (2020-2024)
USC Provost Diversity, Inclusion, and Access (DIA) Fellowship for Incoming Students (2019-2020)

2019

USC Keck School of Medicine Dean’s Award
CSU Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Achievement SoCal Gas Scholar (2018-2019)
- A merit-based award recognizing California State University students who have overcome adversity and attributes of merit, including superior academic performance, significant personal achievements, and exemplary community service.

2018

Barry Goldwater Honorable Mention
Caltech Amgen Scholar (Summer 2018)

2017

Minority Access to Research Careers-Undergraduate Student Training for Academic Research (MARC-U*STAR) Fellow (2017-2019)
B.L Hoyt Memorial Scholarship (2017-2019)
- Cal State LA Scholarship is annually awarded to an undergraduate student who (1)attained outstanding scholarships in secondary school work, (2) maintained a 3.0 GPA, and (3)has an interest in school activities and demonstrates leadership.
SACNAS Travel Scholarship
Caltech WAVE Fellowship, Johnson & Johnson Scholar (Summer 2017)
Cal State LA Outstanding Poster Presentation Award
- 25th Annual Student Symposium on Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities (RSCA)

2016

LSAMP: Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (2016-2019)
SACNAS Travel Scholarship
Cal State LA Dean’s Honors List, Cal State LA (2016-2019)
- Given to an undergraduate who earned a grade point average of 3.5 or higher in 12 or more units of graded coursework.
Minority Biomedical Research Support-Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (MBRS-RISE) Fellowship (2016-2017)
- Cal State LA Grant funded by the National Institute of General Medical Science (NIGMS)
SACNAS Travel Scholarship
Cal State LA Bridges-to-the-Future Undergraduate Fellowship (Summer 2016)
Cal State LA Research Techniques Certification Workshop (Summer 2016)
- Minority Opportunities in Research (MORE), Certificate
LACC President’s Distinguished Honors List
- Appeared on the college's full-time Dean’s Honor list for three consecutive semesters.

2015

LACC Full-Time Dean’s Honor

Given to a full-time student (enrolled in 12 or more units a semester) who achieves a GPA of 3.5.

Leadership Positions

USC Graduate Student Government (GSG) Director of Accessibility Affairs 2023-2024

USC Graduate Student Government (GSG) Director of Diversity & Equity-Programming 2022-2023

USC STEM Outreach for Graduate Students (SCOGS), Vice President 2022-2023

USC Convergent Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (cSTEM), Founder&Treasurer 2022-2023

Nucleate Los Angeles Strategy, Sponsorship, and Finance Team Member 2022-2023

USC STEM Outreach for Graduate Students (SCOGS), President 2021-2022

USC Presidential Working Group Research Committee, Student Rep 2021-2022

Student Committee for USC Presidential Working Group 2021-2022

USC Graduate Student Government Health Science Campus Research & Development Committee 2021-2022

USC Graduate Student Government Community Service Committee 2021-2022

USC School of Medicine Graduate Student Association, Senator 2021-2022

USC STEM Outreach for Graduate Students, Vice President 2020-2021

Cal State LA Chemistry and Biochemistry Club President 2018-2019

Cal State LA Chemistry and Biochemistry Club Vice President 2017-2018

Teaching Experience

USC Bridge Undergraduate Science (BUGS) Jr. Program Mentor Summer 2023

USC Gala Foundation Innovation & Convergence Mentor Summer 2022

Mentored an undergraduate on culturing pancreatic slices and using multimodal imaging techniques to investigate beta cell subpopulations

USC Bridge Undergraduate Science (BUGS) Jr. Program Mentor Summer 2022

Mentored a high school student to learn mouse dissection and live cell imaging

Latinx & African American High School Internship Program (LA-HIP)Mentor Summer 2022

Alongside the microscopy core director, I mentored four high schoolers on microscopic techniques to investigate mitochondria within COVID-19-infected and vaccinated samples.

USC Bridging the Gaps Summer Program Mentor Summer 2022

Assisted two undergraduate students in investigating the effects of vaccination and necroptotic markers in COVID-19-infected beta cells.

USC Core Center of Excellence in Nano Imaging Research Assistant Summer 2021

Worked with biology-electron microscopy senior scientist Carolyn Marks to assist with processing and imaging EM samples, set up and organized biology laboratory space, and trained for the Talos TEM.

USC Summer Program in Diabetes and Obesity Research (SIDOR) Mentor Summer 2021

Mentored two students looking into SARS-CoV2 effects on alpha cells

Latinx & African American High School Internship Program (LA-HIP)Mentor Summer 2021

Alongside the microscopy core director, I mentored a high schooler on microscopic techniques applied to SARS-CoV2's effects on beta cell mitochondrial mass and function.

USC BUGS Program Mentor Summer 2021

In collaboration with USC’s World in a Cell, I mentored two undergraduates and one high schooler to create a storyboard and animations to depict SAR-CoV2 entry into beta cells.

Laboratory Research Mentor 2020-Present

Assisting with the mentorship of new incoming lab members and overseeing the progress of multiple students

PIBBS Mentor 2020-Present

Provide mentorship to first-year graduate students to help them navigate classes, research, and other challenges.

PIBBS Ambassador 2020-Present

Assist with potential graduate student interview days.

American Filipino Scientists Association Mentor 2020-2021

Mentored two students and attended workshops regarding developing personal and career growth.

USC DIA Summer Mentor Summer 2020

Met with two students three times a week for ten weeks, discussing topics such as applying to graduate schools, research, picking mentors, etc.

USC SCOGS 2019-Present

Provide kids around the area with an after-school program doing scientific experiments.

USC Health Science Mentor (HSM) 2020-Present

A graduate student organization that works with Central Juvenile Hall to establish a mentorship program with housed youth to inspire them to pursue a career in STEM fields and teach them about the life skills needed.

Undergraduate Research Mentor Summer 2019

Meryl and Helen

Chemistry and Biochemistry Club Tutor 2016-2019

Tutored California State University Los Angeles students of any general chemistry, math, and biology major in a one-on-one or group setting.

Private Tutor 2010-2019

Assisted students from elementary to college in various subjects such as mathematics, chemistry, biology, and English.

LACC Math Teaching Assistant Spring 2016

Department of Mathematics, Professor A.M. England. MATH 105 (Arithmetic)

SMC Science and Society Seminar Science Buddy Fall 2014

Paired with science exchange students from Japan to help them learn about American culture and practice their presentations in English.

SMC Peer Advocacy Towards Campus Health Volunteer Fall 2014

Helped the program promote awareness campaigns and programs on issues such as alcohol, drugs, stress, and nutrition.

Presentations

Cuala, J., Georgia, S. 2023

Utilizing Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM) to Investigate Cellular Metabolism in Different Biological Contexts

CHLA Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine (DBRM) 2023 Retreat Seminar, Oral

Hunt, T., Cuala, J., Georgia, S. 2023

COVID-19: Will the short-term impact have long-term consequences for the diabetes epidemic?

CHLA Science Dinner September 2023, Oral

Cuala, J., White, K.,Georgia, S. 2023

Utilizing Multimodal Imaging to Investigate Cellular Metabolism Within Different Biological Conditions

USC Medical Biophysics Seminar Fall 2021 Course, Oral

Cuala, J., White, K.,Georgia, S. 2023

Creating 3D Multi-Modal Imaging Pipeline to Investigate Beta Cell Heterogeneity

NIH NMRI Workshop, Poster

Cuala, J., White, K., Georgia, S. 2023

Utilizing 3D Multi-Modal Imaging Pipeline to Investigate Beta Cell Heterogeneity

USC Medical Biophysics Seminar Fall 2021 Course, Oral

Cuala, J., White, K., Georgia 2023

Creating 3D Multi-Modal Imaging Pipeline to Investigate Beta Cell Heterogeneity

University of Southern California, GSG Graduate Research Symposium, 5-Minute Talk, Oral

Cuala, J., White, K., Georgia 2023

Utilizing 3D Multi-Modal Imaging Pipeline to Investigate Beta Cell Heterogeneity

USC Medical Biophysics Seminar Fall 2021 Course, Oral

Cuala, J., White, K., Georgia 2022

Utilizing 3D Multi-Modal Imaging Techniques to Correlate Beta Cell Metabolism and Function

Western Regional Islet Study Group 2022

Pasadena, California, Oral

Cuala, J., White, K., Georgia, S. 2022

Utilizing 3D Multi-Modal Imaging Techniques to Study Beta Cell Heterogeneity

USC Stem Cell Department Retreat

Seminar, Oral

Cuala, J., White, K., Georgia, S. 2022

Using 3D Multi-Modal Imaging Techniques to Investigate Beta Cell Heterogeneity

CHLA Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine (DBRM) 2022 Retreat Seminar, Oral

Cuala, J., Millette, K., and Georgia, S. 2022

Utilizing 3D Multi-Modal Imaging to Investigate Beta Cells During the Pathogenesis of COVID-19

CHLA Science Day 3 Min Presentation, Oral

Cuala, J., Millette, K., and Georgia, S. 2022

Utilizing 3D Multi-Modal Imaging to Investigate Beta Cells During the Pathogenesis of COVID-19

CHLA Science Day, Poster

Cuala, J., Millette, K., and Georgia, S. 2022

Utilizing 3D Multi-Modal Imaging to Investigate Beta Cells During the Pathogenesis of COVID-19

GWIS International 5-Minute Lightning Talk, Oral

Cuala, J., White, K., Georgia 2022

Utilizing 3D Multi-Modal Imaging Techniques to Investigate Beta Cell Heterogeneity

USC PIBSS Recruitment, Poster

Cuala, J., White, K., Georgia 2022

Utilizing 3D Multi-Modal Imaging Techniques to Investigate Beta Cell Heterogeneity

CHLA Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine (DBRM) Seminar, Oral

Cuala, J., Millette, K., and Georgia, S. 2022

Utilizing Multi-Modal Imaging Techniques to Investigate Beta Cells During the Pathogenesis of COVID-19

USC Development, Stem Cell, & Regeneration Seminar, Oral

Cuala, J. and Georgia, S. 2021

Utilizing Multi-Modal Imaging Techniques to Investigate Beta Cell Structure and Function During the Pathogenesis of COVID-19

Western Regional Islet Study Group 2021

Skamania Lodge, Stevenson, Washington Nov. 3-5, Oral

Cuala, J., Millette, K., Wang, P., Marks, C., Veronica Woo, Maya Hayun, and Georgia, S. 2021

Beta cell metabolism is compromised during the pathogenesis of COVID-19

City of Hope, 5th Annual Biomedical Research Graduate Student Symposium, Poster

Cuala, J., Millette, K., Senta Georgia 2021

Beta Cell Metabolism is Compromised During the Pathogenesis of COVID-19

University of Southern California, Diabetes and Obesity Research Institute 8th Annual Symposium, Oral

Cuala, J., Millette, K., Senta Georgia 2021

Investigating beta cell structure and function during the pathogenesis of COVID-19

University of Southern California, GSG Graduate Research Symposium, 3rd Runner Up, Oral

Cuala, J., Millette, K., Senta Georgia 2021

Utilizing Multi-Modal Imaging Techniques to Investigate Beta Cell Structure and Function During the Pathogenesis of COVID-19

USC Medical Biophysics Seminar Fall 2021 Course, Oral

Cuala, J., Millette, K., Senta Georgia 2021

Investigating Beta-Cell Heterogeneity Utilizing Multi-Modal Imaging Approaches to Assess Cellular Ultrastructure and Metabolic Function

USC Medical Biophysics Seminar Spring 2021 Course, Oral

Cuala, J., Osuji, I., Zurita Lopez, C. 2018

PGC-1A, a Novel Substrate for Protein Arginine Methyltransferase 7?

California State University Los Angeles, M.O.R.E Programs Research Retreat, Poster.

Cuala, J., Romero-Wolf, M., Hiroyuki, H., Rothenberg, E. 2018

Determining the Phenotype of Transcription Factors RUNX1 and RUNX3 Knockout In T Cell Development Using CRISPR/Cas9

California Institute of Technology Summer Seminar Day, Oral.

Cuala, J., Osuji, I., Zurita Lopez, C. 2018

PGC-1alpha, a Substrate for Protein Arginine Methyltransferase 7?

2018 American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Annual Conference in San Diego, California, Poster. (April 21-25)

Cuala, J., Osuji, I., Zurita Lopez, C. 2018

PGC-1A, a Substrate for PRMT 7?

M.O.R.E Programs Spring Poster Session II, Poster.

Cuala, J., Baccile, J., Tirrell, D. 2018 Genes to Gels: Creation of XTEN Based Artificial Protein Hydrogels

M.O.R.E Spring Poster Session of Summer Programs, Poster.