Education
University of Oregon, (Biology with Honors, Psychology Minor in Robert D. Clark Honors College; Thesis of Distinction: Detecting F1F0 ATP Synthase Specific Hydrolyzing Activity in Bovine Heart Mitochondria Using a Microwell Immunocapture Assay), B.S., Eugene, OR, 1998 - 2004.
Duke University, Graduate Research Assistant, Integrated Toxicology & Environmental Health Program, University Program in Genetics and Genomics, Duke University, Durham, NC, 2007 - present.
Honors and Awards
Undergraduate Awards:
1) OSSC Scholarship, 1998 - 1999.
2) UO Alumni Scholarship, 1998 - 1999.
3) Fall Creek Ranch Foundation Scholarship, 1998 - 1999.
4) Joseph K. Starr Scholarship, 1998 - 1999.
5) UO Alumni Scholarship, 1999 - 2000.
6) ET Edmunsun and MT Davis Scholarship, 2000 - 2001.
7) University of Oregon Centurian Award for Service, 2001.
8) University of Oregon Diversity Building Scholarship, 2001 - 2003.
9) Student Speaker, Biology Commencement, 2003.
10) Thesis of Distinction Award, Clark Honors College, 2004.
Graduate Awards:
1) University Scholars Fellowship, 2007.
2) James B. Duke Fellowship, 2007.
3) Duke Endowment Fellowship, 2007.
Teaching Experience
1) University of Oregon, Department of Biology, Laboratory Teaching Assistant, 2002 - 2003.
a) Introduction to Human Physiology.
a) Worked closely with the professor to grade assignments, prepare and deliver lectures and experiments for the laboratory portion of the course.
b) Delivered a guest lecture in the lecture portion when the professor was absent.
c) Nominated by students for the Biology Department's Outstanding Teaching Award.
2) University of Oregon, Department of Biology Laboratory Teaching Assistant, Investigations in Medical Physiology, 2002 - 2003.
a) Led small group discussions and lectures of upper division course focusing on current issues in medical physiology.
b) Nominated by students for the Biology Department's Outstanding Teaching Award.
Professional Development
1) 51st Annual American College of Sports Medicine Conference Attendant, 2003.
2) RTP Rodent Pathology Course Attendant, 2008.
Affiliations and Memberships
!) Oregon Environmental Council, 2006.
2) North Umpqua River Foundation, 2006.
3) Duke Society of Fellows, 2007 - 2008.
Research Experience
1) University of Oregon, Institute of Neuroscience, Monoclonal Antibody Facility Laboratory Assistant, 2001 - 2003.
a) Performed sterile cell culture, immunocytochemistry, western blotting, and ELISA to produce and characterize monoclonal antibodies.
2) University of Oregon, Institute of Molecular Biology Research Associate, 2003 - 2005.
a) Developed microplate immunocapture assays for quantifying mitochondrial proteins.
b) Conjugated antibodies and mitochondrial proteins with fluorescent dye.
c) Data included in successful and lucrative STTR1 phase one grant.
Presentations
1) Capaldi, R., Nadanaciva, S., Bernal A, Aggeler, R., and& Will, Y. Target identification of drug-induced mitochondrial toxicity by antidiabetic and antilipedemic drugs. Poster presentation. Society of Toxicology Annual Meeting, Charlotte, North Carolina, March 25-29, 2007.
2) Nadanaciva, S., Bernal A, Aggeler, R., Capaldi, R., and Will, Y. Target identification of drug induced mitochondrial toxicity using monoclonal antibody capture OXPHOS activity assays. Poster presentation. Society of Toxicology Annual Meeting, Charlotte, North Carolina, March 25-29, 2007.
3) Yuen, B. H., Bernal A, and Hinton, D. Hepatobiliary toxicity: Japanese Medaka as an alternative model. Poster presentation. The Fourth Aquatic Animal Models of Human Disease Conference, Durham, North Carolina, Jan. 31-Feb. 3, 2008.
4) Bernal A, Yuen, B.H., and Hinton, D. Liver toxicity and regeneration: the use of a small fish model- Japanese Medaka. Poster presentation. Society of Toxicology Annual Meeting, Seattle, Washington, March 16-20, 2008.
5) Dolinoy, D.C., Bernal A., Huang, D., and Jirtle, R. Radiation and the Fetal Epigenome. Mechanisms of Toxicity Gordon Conference, Bates College, Maine, July 27-Aug. 1st, 2008.
Publications
1) UO Honors College Thesis: "Detecting FIFO ATP Synthase Specific Hydrolyzing Activity in Bovine Heart Mitochondria Using a Microwell Immunocapture Assay, 2004.
2) Nadanaciva, S., Bernal A, Aggeler, R., Capaldi, R., and Will, Y. Target identification of drug induced mitochondrial toxicity using immunocapture based OXPHOS activity assays. Toxicol. in Vitro, 21: 902-911, 2007.
3) Nadanaciva, S., Dykens, J.A., Bernal A, Capaldi, R.A., Will, Y. Mitochondrial impairment by PPAR agonists and statins identified via immunocaptured OXPHOS complex activities and respiration. Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 3: 277-287, 2007.
Vounteer Activities
1) Clark Honors College Student Association Member, Secretary, 1998 - 2003.
a) Helped make logistical decisions about the Honors College and provided a student voice for hiring of new professors.
b) Participated in various events in the community such as canned food drives for Food for Lane County.
2) University of Oregon Student Alumni Association Member, Secretary, and Homecoming Ball Chairman, 1999 - 2003.
a) Active member involved in campus wide activities such as coordinating blood drives, helping at sporting events, and scholarship fundraising activities.
b) Chaired the University of Oregon's 2nd annual Homecoming Ball, which involved directing the design, promotion, f1l1ancing, and implementation of the campus and community-wide event.
3) Druids Honor Society Projects Coordinator, 2000 - 2001.
a) Elected by fellow honor students to organize volunteer projects, such as maintaining a community garden and assisting developmentally disabled adults during activity nights.
4) Clark Honors College Mentor Program Mentor, 2000 - 2001.
a) Helped to organize the University of Oregon's first Honors College Mentor Program for high potential, at-risk adolescents attending local high schools.
b) Helped in the weekly lectures focusing on the literature classics Mentored two students outside of class for two years.
5) University of Oregon Multicultural Affairs Office Student Panel Volunteer, 2001 - 2003.
a) Sat on student panels aimed to increase awareness of college opportunities for high school minority students around Oregon.
6) Lane County Department of Health and Human Services, Environmental Public Health Division Volunteer Grant Writer and Conference Organizer, 2005.
a) Researched food borne illnesses in Lane County and outlying rural areas
b) Applied for a grant to support local medical conference.
c) Helped to organize a conference wherein public health officials from the FDA. and Oregon Department of Health and Human Services would inform clinicians about proper diagnosis, intervention, and prevention of food borne illnesses.
7) Volunteers in Medicine Clinic Volunteer Grant Writer, 2004 - 2006.
a) Successfully completed 5 grants for a total of $30,000 for the non-profit organization.
b) Researched local issues of chronic pain, Mental illness and health insurance disparities in the community.
8) Lead Poisoning Prevention and Outreach, Durham, NC, 2007 - 2008.