Full CV is available upon request.

EDUCATION     

2009   Ph.D.        Molecular and Cellular Biology,  University of Washington, Seattle, WA

 

B.A.           Northwestern University, Evanston, IL                                           June 2001

Biological Sciences; Evolutionary Biology concentration

                  Chemistry; Biochemistry emphasis

 

HONORS & AWARDS                                                                               

 

Division of Biological Sciences, School of STEM, University of Washington Bothell

• 2017 Annual Faculty Merit Review – Extra Meritorious May 2018
• 2016 Annual Faculty Merit Review – Extra Meritorious May 2017
• 2015 Annual Faculty Merit Review – Extra Meritorious May 2016
• 2014 Annual Faculty Merit Review – Extra Meritorious May 2015

 

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

National Graduate Student Research Festival Participant                    Sep 2008

 

International Conference on Zebrafish Genetics and Development

Outstanding Poster Presentation Award, First place graduate division                        July 2008

 

Carl Zeiss, Inc.

2006 Confocal Imaging Contest Winner                                                                           May 2006

 

Northwestern University

Departmental Honors in Biological Sciences                                                                   June 2001

 

TEACHING EXPERIENCE                                                                          

 

STEP Faculty Mentor                                                                                                     Sep 2017 – present

Science Teaching Experience for Postdocs (STEP) Program, UW Bothell, Bothell, WA

• Helped facilitate two workshops on course design and implementing active learning methods in the classroom for postdoctoral STEP fellows (Autumn 2017).
• Mentoring six STEP fellows (two teaching teams) on their teaching and course designthrough classroom observations and debriefing meetings in Summer 2018 at UW Seattle.

–      BIOL 485A: How evolution shapes cancer: implications for a cure

–      BIOL 485B: Clickbait science, sketchy supplements, and bogus advice: critically evaluating health claims in the modern age.

 

Part-time Lecturer                                                                                                        Jan 2013 – June 2018

Division of Biological Sciences; University of Washington Bothell, Bothell, WA

• Taught the following courses:

–      B BIO 180 Lab: Introduction to Biology I (Lab; Autumn 2014 & 2017)

–      B BIO 200: Introduction to Biology II (Lecture & Lab; Spring 2013, Winter 2017, & Spring 2018)

• B BIO 200 Lab: Introduction to Biology II (Lab; W13, W14, W15, S15, W16, & S17)

–      B BIO 240: Fundamentals of Cell Biology for Nursing and Allied Health (Lecture & Lab; W18)

–      B BIO 360: Introduction to Genetics (Lecture; Spring 2017)

–      B BIO 375: Molecular Biology (Lecture; Autumn 2016)

• Implemented evidence-based teaching practices such as peer discussion, polling/clicker questions, random call, and small group problem-solving activities/worksheets in lecture classes.
• Developed additional lab exercises and interactive activities to teach complex concepts.
• Managed undergraduate peer facilitators/graders who assisted with in-class activities and/or grading for B BIO 240 (K. Pham; Winter 2018), B BIO 360 (N. Ahn; Spring 2017) and B BIO 200 (T. Thai, K. Lay, and K. Pham; Winter 2017).

 

Part-time Lecturer / Postdoctoral Teaching Apprentice                                          Sep 2015 – June 2016

Department of Biology; University of Washington, Seattle, WA

• Co-instructor for BIOL 200: Introduction to Biology II (Lecture, ~300-400 students) in Spring 2016 and Autumn 2015 as part of a mentored teaching apprenticeship.
• Implemented peer discussion, random call, clicker questions, and small-group POGIL (Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning) activities in a large introductory biology lecture class.
• Worked as part of a teaching team consisting of a senior lecturer (co-instructor and mentor), a course coordinator, and 7-8 graduate teaching assistants.
• Developed new course materials including a new POGIL activity to teach protein structure that was also used by other BIOL 200 instructors in subsequent quarters.

 

Part-time Lecturer                                                                                                         Sep 2013 – Dec 2013

Department of Biology; Edmonds Community College, Lynnwood, WA

• Laboratory instructor for BIOL& 211L: Majors Cellular Biology Lab (22 students); Autumn 2013
• Collaborated on the development of a new 2-week exercise on plasmid isolation, restriction digests, and gel electrophoresis.

 

Part-time Lecturer / STEP Teaching Apprentice                                                    Oct 2011 – June 2012

Science Teaching Experience for Postdocs (STEP) Program, UW Bothell, Bothell, WA

• Designed, developed, and co-taught a non-major seminar course (BST 293: Model Organisms in Neuroscience; 20 students; Spring 2012) with two other postdoctoral fellows.
• Implemented backwards course design and active learning strategies. Created course learning goals, assignments, quizzes, class content, and final project.
• Received and provided feedback on teaching and course materials from co-instructors and faculty mentor. Implemented suggestions for improvement in subsequent classes.

 

      Graduate Teaching Assistant                                                                                    Sep 2004 – June 2005

University of Washington, Seattle, WA

• Taught discussion/quiz sections of the following courses:

–      BIOL 355: Molecular and Cell Biology (2 sections, ~40 students/section); Spring 2005

–      GENOME 371: Introduction to Genetics (3 sections, ~24 students/section); Autumn 2004

• Taught students how to use genetic databases and computer simulations (Genome 371), molecular modeling programs (BIOL 355), and analyze figures in primary literature (Biol 355).

 

Undergraduate Teaching Assistant                                                                          June 1999–Aug 2000

Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL

Taught three-hour sections of an introductory organic chemistry lab (6–12 students per quarter) with an emphasis on laboratory safety, experimental procedures, and techniques.

 

 

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE                                                     

 

STEP Forward Program Administrator & Evaluator                                                  Sep 2017 – present

Science Teaching Experience for Postdocs (STEP) Program, UW Bothell, Bothell, WA

• Analyzing assessment data to evaluate the effectiveness of the STEP and STEP Forward programs in training Ph.D. scientists to become skilled instructors and communicators.
• Designed and created a program website for STEP: http://depts.washington.edu/stepuw/
• Wrote and edited a quarterly newsletter “STEP-BY-STEP” for former and current STEP fellows.

Executive director:  Rebecca M. Price, Ph.D.

 

Research Scientist/ Consultant                                                                                    Jan 2016 – present

Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences; UW, Seattle, WA

• Currently writing manuscript “Differential copper-induced death and regeneration of olfactory sensory neuron populations and neurobehavioral function in zebrafish.”
• Edited three research articles and four grant proposals for colleagues and principal investigator.
• Contributed to the writing of the Gallagher Lab’s project proposal for the multiproject UW Superfund Program (SRP) grant application; edited the project proposal as well as the Overall Program Plan, the Administrative Core proposal, and the Training Core proposal.
• Microinjected early zebrafish embryos for CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing.
• Imaged larval transgenic zebrafish to investigate metal-induced olfactory toxicity and recovery.
• Mentored an undergraduate student (J. Cherish) on experimental design of behavior assays, and a MSc graduate student (K. Heffern) on his thesis proposal on behavioral analysis of zebrafish larvae after metal-induced injury and recovery.

Principal Investigator:  Evan P. Gallagher, Ph.D.

 

Postdoctoral Fellow                                                                                                    Nov 2013 – Dec 2015

Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences; UW, Seattle, WA

• Investigated metal-induced olfactory toxicity and recovery in larval transgenic zebrafish.
• Awarded funding by the UW Center of Ecogenetics and Environmental Health (CEEH) Pilot Research Program for “Development and application of transgenic zebrafish for investigating metal-induced loss of olfactory function.”
• Wrote, managed, and submitted a major 3-year protocol renewal for the UW Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) on the lab’s use of zebrafish in research.
• Mentored a summer undergraduate researcher (M. Chan) on fluorescent imaging and screening techniques for larval transgenic zebrafish.

Principal Investigator:  Evan P. Gallagher, Ph.D.

 

Postdoctoral Fellow                                                                                                    Feb 2011 – May 2013

Department of Biochemistry; University of Washington, Seattle, WA

• Investigated the mechanisms of photoreceptor degeneration in blind pde6cmutant zebrafish by analyzing in vivocalcium changes in photoreceptors of transgenic zebrafish.
• Mentored a senior undergraduate student (A. Brandt) on genotyping pde6cmutant larval and adult zebrafish using molecular biology techniques.

Principal Investigator:  Susan E. Brockerhoff, Ph.D.

 

Consultant                                                                                                                         Oct – Nov 2010

Rarecyte, Inc., Issaquah, WA                                                                                        

• Wrote and submitted a Phase I proposal within strict two-week deadline for the NIH Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract “Development of Devices for Point of Care Analysis of Circulating Tumor Cells” in collaboration with the principal investigator (PI).
• Led in-person and remote meetings to discuss grant progress with PI, CEO, and CFO.

Principal Investigator:  Jackie L. Stilwell, Ph.D.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES                                                

 

Teaching and Learning on the Open Web – Learning Community Participant       Jan 2018 – present

University of Washington, Bothell, WA

• Participated in biweekly/monthly discussions with other UWB faculty to learn about online tools and resources for teaching both in the classroom and on the open web.
• Creating own open digital identity through a personal website using WordPress.

 

STEP Forward Fellow                                                                                                   Oct 2017 – present

Science Teaching Experience for Postdocs (STEP) Program, UW Bothell, WA

• Received training in science communication with audiences of all ages through Pacific Science Center’s Science Communication Fellowship (Oct – Nov 2017).
• Presented two posters at the annual UW Teaching and Learning Symposium.
• Presented research to local business leaders and policymakers in June 2018.

 

Science Communication Fellow                                                                                   Oct 2017 – present

Portal to the Public; Pacific Science Center, Seattle, WA

• Designed a hands-on activity to teach mutations, gene editing, and CRISPR-Cas9 to the public.
• Learned strategies for communication of scientific research with a general audience.
• Presented activity at two Meet-A-Scientist public events at the Pacific Science Center.

 

Biology Education Research Group (BERG) Learning Community Participant     Nov 2012 – present

University of Washington, Seattle, WA

• Learning about current research on undergraduate education in biology and other STEM fields, including the implementation and assessment of teaching methods and modules.
• Actively participating in weekly discussions with other graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty from different departments and teaching institutions.

 

UW BIOL 200 Mentored Teaching Apprentice                                                        Sep 2015 – June 2016

Department of Biology; University of Washington, Seattle, WA

• Co-taught large introductory biology course under the guidance of a senior lecturer (taught ~25% of classes Autumn 2015; ~75% of classes Spring 2016).
• Implemented evidence-based teaching strategies in class, including random call, peer discussion, POGIL worksheets, and weekly practice exams.
• Received feedback on teaching and course materials from biology faculty mentor.
• Developed additional course materials (POGILs, exam questions, lecture slides, etc.) used by BIOL 200 instructors in subsequent classes.

Mentor/Co-Instructor:  Amanda Schivell, Ph.D.

 

Introduction to Evidence-Based Undergraduate STEM Teaching                                   Oct– Dec 2014

Online course via Coursera, Mountain View, CA

• Participated in an online course taught by instructors from 6 institutions affiliated with the Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL).
• Gained knowledge about various aspects of evidence-based learning principles and teaching practices through online video lectures and discussion forums.
• Earned a “Statement of Accomplishment” for completing course.

 

 

 

 

 

Engaging Students in Large Classes– Learning Community Participant                 Jan – March 2013

UW Center for Teaching and Learning; University of Washington, Seattle, WA

• Participated in the Faculty and Professional Learning Community (6-12 participants).
• Shared and discussed ideas and strategies for large classes in engaging students, active learning strategies, assessment, and online course management.

 

Science Teaching Experience for Postdocs (STEP)Fellow                                     Oct 2011 – June 2012

University of Washington, Bothell, WA

• Developed and co-taught the non-major seminar course “Fins, Fur, and Wings: Model Organisms in Neuroscience” (BST 293) at UW Bothell (Spring 2012).
• Implemented backwards course design and active learning strategies. Designed course learning goals, assignments, quizzes, class content, and final project.
• Received and provided feedback on teaching and course materials from co-instructors and faculty mentor. Implemented suggestions for improvement in subsequent classes.

Mentor:  Rebecca M. Price, Ph.D.

 

Future Faculty Fellows Workshop Participant                                                                           Aug 2011

University of Washington, Seattle, WA

• Participated in a two-day career development workshop for postdoctoral fellows.
• Learned about various career opportunities, teaching, and applying for academic positions.

 

Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (GRDSCH 630)                                      Jan – March 2008

University of Washington, Seattle, WA

• Graduate-level course on developing as a teacher in higher education settings.
• Learned about strategies for teaching and assessment; developed a teaching portfolio.

 

PUBLICATIONS                                                      

 

Ma EY, Heffern K, Cheresh J, and Gallagher EP. 2018. Differential copper-induced death and regeneration of olfactory sensory neuron populations and neurobehavioral function in zebrafish. Manuscript submitted for publication.

 

George AA, Hayden S, Holzhausen LC,Ma EY,Suzuki SC, and Brockerhoff SE. 2014.  Synaptojanin-1 is required for endolysosomal trafficking of synaptic proteins in cone photoreceptor inner segments.  PLoS One.  9(1):e84394.

 

Ma EY,Lewis A, Barabas P, Stearns G, Suzuki S, Krizaj D, and Brockerhoff SE. 2013.  Loss of Pde6 reduces cell body Ca²⁺transients within photoreceptors. Cell Death Dis.  4:e797.

 

Ma EYand Raible DW.  2009. Signaling pathways regulating zebrafish lateral line development.  Review. Curr. Biology. 19(9): R381-386.

 

Ma EY, Rubel EW, Raible DW.  2008. Notch signaling regulates the extent of hair cell regeneration in the zebrafish lateral line.  J Neurosci.  28(9): 2261-2273.

 

Roberts B, Davidson B, MacMaster G, Lockhart V, Ma E, Wallace SS, Swalla BJ.  2007.  A complement response may activate metamorphosis in the ascidian Boltenia villosa. Dev Genes Evol.  217(6): 449-58.

 

Wang EY, Ma EY, Woodruff TK.  2003. Activin signal transduction in the fetal rat adrenal gland and in human H295R cells.  J Endocrinol.  178: 137-48.

 

Narula A, Kilen S, Ma E, Kroeger J, Goldberg E, Woodruff TK.  2002.  Smad4 overexpression causes germ cell ablation and leydig cell hyperplasia in transgenic mice.  Am J Pathol.161: 1723-34.

 

 

GRANT PROPOSALS AWARDED                                               

 

University of Washington Center of Ecogenetics and Environmental Health (CEEH)

CEEH Pilot Research Project Program Award                                                               2014 – 2015

 

National Institute of Deafness and Communication Disorders (NIDCD)

Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (F31)                                          2006 – 2009

 

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE                                                  

 

Graduate Research Assistant – Dissertation Laboratory                                         July 2004 – June 2009

Department of Biological Structure; University of Washington, Seattle, WA

• Dissertation: “Regeneration of mechanosensory hair cells in the zebrafish lateral line.”
• Funded by the Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA Predoctoral Individual Fellowship (2006-2009)
• Mentored and supervised an undergraduate research technician (P. Namdaran)
• Auditory Neuroscience Training Grant (T32) trainee (2005-2006)

Principal Investigator:  David W. Raible, Ph.D.             Co-mentor:  Edwin W Rubel, Ph.D.

 

Graduate Research Assistant – Laboratory Rotation                                                   March – June 2004

Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences; UW, Seattle, WA

Investigated the role of Erk5 in regulating the neurogenesis pathway through basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors in primary rat E16 cortical cultures.

Principal Investigator: Zhengui Xia, Ph.D.

     

Graduate Research Assistant – Laboratory Rotation                                                         Sep – Dec 2003

Department of Biology; University of Washington, Seattle, WA

Evaluated the expression of MASP (MBL-associated serine protease), a component of the innate immune system, in the ascidian B. villosaat various stages of larval competency.

Principal Investigator:  Billie J. Swalla, Ph.D.

 

Graduate Research Assistant – Laboratory Rotation                                                     Jan – March 2004

Division of Basic Sciences; Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA

Tested predictions on the ability of two homing endonucleases (I-CreI and E-DreI) to bind target DNA after replacing water-mediated interactions with direct contacts.

Principal Investigator:  Barry Stoddard, Ph.D.

 

Laboratory Technician I                                                                                           July 2001 – Aug 2003

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology; Northwestern University, Chicago, IL

• Investigated TGF-bsignaling and MMP-2 within ovarian epithelium cancer cell lines.
• Assayed for endogenous activin signaling within native placental tissue, placental cell lines, and primary cytotrophoblast cells.

Principal Investigator:  Eileen Y. Wang, M.D.

 

Undergraduate Independent Researcher                                                                   Sep 1999 – July 2001

Department of Neurobiology and Physiology; Northwestern University, Evanston, IL

• Honors thesis: “Regulation of Gonadal Function by Smad Proteins in Transgenic Mice.”
• Cloned mutants of an inhibin binding protein, InhBP, and assayed for function in cells.

Principal Investigator:  Teresa K. Woodruff, Ph.D.

 

 

 

 

SELECTED PRESENTATIONS                                                      

 

Ma EY. 2018. Hands-on Activity for Teaching Gene Editing and CRISPR. University of Washington Teaching and Learning Symposium: Seattle, WA. [Poster Presentation]

 

Al-Noori S,Ma EY, McCullough EA, Price, RM. 2018. STEP Forward: Science Communication with the Public through Hands-On Engagement. University of Washington Teaching and Learning Symposium: Seattle, WA. [Poster presented by S Al-Noori]

 

Ma EY, Heffern K, Gallagher EP.  2018.  Differential Copper-Induced Death and Regeneration of Olfactory Sensory Neuron Populations in Zebrafish.  Society of Toxicology Annual Meeting: San Antonio, TX. [Poster presented by EP Gallagher]

 

Ma EY, Heffern K, Gallagher EP.  2016.  Metal-Induced Olfactory Sensory Neuron Death and Regeneration in Zebrafish.  Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry North America Annual Meeting: Orlando, FL.  [Poster presented by K Heffern]

 

Ma EY, Rubel EW, Raible DW.  2008. Hair cell regeneration in the zebrafish lateral line.  NIH National Graduate Student Research Festival:  Bethesda, MD.  [Poster Presentation]

 

Ma EY, Namdaran P, Raible DW.  2008. Live time-lapse imaging of zebrafish lateral line hair cell regeneration reveal dynamic cell movements. International Conference on Zebrafish Genetics and Development:  Madison, WI.  [Poster Presentation]

 

Ma EY, Rubel EW, Raible DW.  2007. Notch signaling in hair cell regeneration in the zebrafish lateral line post neomycin-induced damage. Society for Developmental Biology Northwest Regional Meeting:  Friday Harbor, WA.  [Oral Presentation]

 

Ma EY, Rubel EW, Raible DW.  2007. Hair cell regeneration in the zebrafish lateral line after neomycin-induced damage. Association for Research in Otolaryngology Midwinter Meeting: Denver, CO.  [Podium Presentation]

 

Wang EY, Ma EY. 2003.  Activin signal transduction in primary human cytotrophoblast cells.  Gynecol Invest.  10(2): 270A.  Society for Gynecologic Investigation Annual Meeting, Washington D.C. [Poster Presentation]

 

Wang EY, Ma EY, Fishman DA. 2003. Transforming growth factor TGFbstimulates PAI-1and MMP-2transcriptional activity in ovarian cancer cells.  Gynecol Invest.  10(2): 238A.  Society for Gynecologic Investigation Annual Meeting, Washington D.C. [Poster Presentation]

 

SERVICE                                          

 

Collegial Review of Teaching

University of Washington Bothell, Bothell, WA

• Observed the first hour of a 2-hour lecture class for the following lecturers:
• Michele Price (B BIO 351: Principles of Anatomy & Physiology I)                          Dec 2017
• Susan McNabb (B BIO 293: Cancer: Biology, Risk, and Treatment)                  May 2017
• Bryan White (B BIO 305: The Science and Ethics of Stem Cells)                          Feb 2017
• Alaron Lewis (B BIO 365: Biochemistry II)                                                          Nov 2016
• Cleo Neculae (B CORE 110: What is Nature Worth?)                                        Nov 2016
• Gave feedback on classroom teaching observations and suggestions on teaching strategies.
• Learned new teaching strategies to use on own classroom

 

Student Bio Expo, Volunteer Judge                                                                                May 2013 – 2018

Northwest Association for Biomedical Research (NWABR), Seattle, WA

• Evaluated and provided written feedback to high school students in the following categories based on their written reports, projects, and oral presentations at the annual Student Bio Expo:
• Neuroscience 2018
• Teaching 2017
• Art 2014 & 2015
• Laboratory Research 2013
• Collaborated with other judges to decide the category winners and honorable mentions.

 

STEP Collegial Evaluator                                                                                                            July 2015

Science Teaching Experience for Postdocs (STEP) Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA

• Observed and evaluated a class taught by a postdoctoral STEP fellow.
• Debriefed afterwards to give feedback on the class materials and teaching methods.

 

Future Faculty Fellows Program, Panelist                                                                                  Aug 2013

University of Washington, Seattle, WA

• Panelist for “Perspectives on a First Teaching Experience.”
• Answered questions from postdoctoral fellows about teaching through the STEP program.

 

Molecular and Cellular Biology Program Recruitment, Panelist & Speaker     Feb 2005, 2007, & 2009

University of Washington, Seattle, WA

• Answered questions from potential graduate students about the MCB (Molecular & Cellular Biology) graduate program and living in Seattle.
• Student research presentation speaker (2007).

 

LANGUAGES                                                          

 

• Chinese: Fluent in Mandarin and Shanghainese dialects; basic reading and writing skills.
• Spanish: Basic speaking, reading, and writing skills.