Ms. Carolyn Kidd
Nova Research, Inc. Labor Category Designation: Scientist II
RFP Labor Category Designation(s): Molecular biologist
Proposed Labor Hour Distribution
hours
hours
Total Labor Hours for Effort, per Year:
hours
SNAPSHOT OF EMPLOYEE QUALIFICATIONS:
RFP Requirement
EDUCATION:
Employee Qualification
B.S. Biology
M.S. Biotechnology
10 years Post Graduate
PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE:
NRL Specific: 5 years
PUBLICATION RECORD:
6 Publications and 1 patent
which are NRL specific and
relevant to Statement of Work
EDUCATION
B.S. in Biology with concentration in Microbiology/Immunology, Virginia Tech, 1997
M.SA. in Biotechnology, Johns Hopkins University, 2004
EXPERIENCE
Ms. Meador is a current, full-time employee of Nova Research, responsible for research
involving the optimization and validation of a re-sequencing microarray-based assay for the
detection and genetic identification of common respiratory pathogens and other harmful bacteria
and viruses for use in potential biosensor and environmental monitoring applications, as well as
medical diagnostics applications. This involves the use of molecular biology techniques for the
genetic identification of these pathogens. More specifically this research requires the use of
nucleic acid extraction, amplification, purification and hybridization techniques. Ms. Meador is
also responsible for research involving the molecular and biochemical characterization of the
marine bacterium Vibrio harveyi for use in possible biosensor applications. This involves the use
of a combination of microbiology and molecular biology techniques for the elucidation of the
organism’s biochemical pathways. Ms. Meador also contributes to research presentations,
publications and patents, and assists in the training of fellow employees.
Ms. Meador is an expert in a variety of laboratory techniques in microbiology, molecular
biology, biochemistry and chemistry. Ms. Meador has experience with DNA and RNA
manipulation including extraction of genetic material from samples containing harmful human
pathogens (i.e. HIV, HBV, HCV and respiratory pathogens), DNA sequencing, primer design,
PCR, and reverse transcription. With her knowledge and expertise she analyzed DNA
sequencing data for mutations in the HIV-1 virus, which led to varying types of drug resistance.
The data was used to better inform physicians as to which treatment the patient was more likely
to respond to. She has also applied this experience to the development of an assay for the
sequencing of five (5) key exons from the p53 gene, where mutations in these regions are known
to cause cancer. She examined the failing PCR primers, developed by the previous project
leader, and redesigned them to better target the p53 gene. She also developed a protocol that
multiplexed the reactions, which allowed for increased assay productivity while reducing reagent
requirements. In addition, Ms. Meador has constructed tissue microarrays for high throughput
staining assays, such as fluorescence, in situ hybridization (FISH), and other types of
immunostain techniques.
More recently, Ms. Meador has applied her knowledge and skills to the development of a
DNA microarray-based biosensor to detect waterborne pathogens, such as Enterohemorrhagic
Escherichia coli and pathogenic Vibrio species, as well as the antibacterial drug resistance
markers that may be present in the organisms. She has used her experience with sequencing
data analysis and primer design to make PCR primers and probes for the microarray that are
sensitive and selective for unique pathogenicity targets. Ms. Meador performs microarray testing
using purified DNA extracts and killed whole cell lysate for validation purposes. She has also
been able to use the microarray to detect RNA which can identify organisms that are viable but
nonculturable for detection by conventional microbiology techniques.
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
2002-PRESENT: Staff Scientist, Nova Research, Inc.
Ms. Meador is currently involved in the validation of a DNA re-sequencing microarray for the
detection and identification of common respiratory and other harmful pathogens. She is using
various molecular techniques including nucleic acid amplification to streamline the assay process
and test sensitivity of the assay to decreasing concentrations of pathogen within a given sample.
Through the validation process the goal is to be able to detect very small concentrations of
pathogen in clinical or environmental samples. Ms. Meador also investigates the systems biology
of Vibrio harveyi for use in potential biosensor applications. Through extensive molecular
characterization of its genome, protein synthesis pathways, protein functions and molecular
interactions, the goal is to gain the ability to predict and control its behavior. She is using
microbiology and molecular biology techniques to manipulate the organism in a way to gain
important information about its complex biochemical pathways. During her time with Nova
Research Inc. she has also worked on the development and optimization of a DNA microarray for
detection of waterborne pathogens. Her duties included designing and testing probes and primers for
the microarray that are both selective and sensitive. She optimized the nucleic acid amplification
techniques and performed microarray validations by testing DNA extracted from bacterial cultures. In
addition, she is responsible for the supply ordering on several projects.
2000-2002: Laboratory Technologist, Virco Lab Inc., Rockville, MD
As a laboratory technologist, Ms. Meador preformed clinical analysis of HIV positive
patient samples for physicians and clinical trial studies. Her laboratory responsibilities included
handling and processing of infectious (HIV, HBV, HCV) blood plasma and shipment of the
infectious materials according to IATA regulations. She extracted HIV RNA from blood plasma
samples and preformed RNA reverse transcription, PCR, DNA purification, DNA sequence
analysis, and PCR reagent validations. She also preformed database information exports and
laboratory production overviews. Ms. Meador also acted as a client contact for sample reception
and project information.
1999-2000: Tissue Microarray Technician, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Ms. Meador was a tissue microarray technician in the PELICAN laboratory (Project to
Eliminate Lethal Prostate Cancer). She preformed manual construction of tissue microarrays to
be used for staining assays. In addition, she examined histological slides with microscope to
locate primary and metastatic prostate cancer for digital imaging. Ms. Meador assisted in autopsy
procedures for collection of normal and cancerous tissue and fluids. She also tested and
maintained a database for the research project that included protocols, tissue analysis, patient
information, and biomaterial inventory.
1998-1999: Laboratory Specialist, Commonwealth Biotechnologies Inc., Richmond, VA
Ms. Meador preformed automated DNA sequencing and data analysis for clients from major
universities, institutions and government contracts. Additional responsibilities included sequencing
and PCR primer design, DNA oligonucleotide synthesis, HPLC purification of oligonucleotides, DNA
purification, PCR, transformations and gel electrophoresis. She developed an assay for the
sequencing of portions of the p53 gene, which involved redesigning the primers and multiplexing the
reactions.
PUBLICATIONS:
NRL-Specific Publications
1)
Meador C. E., Bird M. M., Bopp C. A., Gerner-Scmidt P., Painter J. A., Vora G. J.,
Virulence Gene and Pandemic Group-Specific Marker Profiling of Clinical Vibrio
parahaemolyticus Isolates. Journal of Clinical Microbiology (In Review).
2)
Vora G. J., Meador C. E., Bird M. M., Bopp C. A., Andreadis J. D., Stenger D. A.,
Microarray-based Detection of Genetic Heterogeneity, Antimicrobial Resistance and the
Viable But Nonculturable State in Human Pathogenic Vibrio spp. Proceedings of the
National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America; December 2005;
102(52); 19109-19114.
3)
Vora G. J., Lin B., Gratwick K., Meador C. E., Hansen C., Tibbetts C., Stenger D. A.,
Irvine M., Seto D., Purkayastha A.; Freed N. E.; Russell K.; Metzgar D., Coinfections of
Adenovirus Species in Previously Vaccinated Patients. Emerging Infectious Disease;
June 2006; 12(6); 921-930.
4)
Soto C. M., Blum A.S., Lebedev N., Vora G. J., Meador C. E., Won A. P., Chatterji A.,
Johnson J. E., Ratna B. R., Fluorescent Signal Amplification of Carbocyanine Dyes Using
Engineered Viral Nanoparticles. Journal of the American Chemical Society; 2006; 128;
5184-5189.
5)
Vora G. J., Meador C. E., Stenger D. A., Andreadis J. D., Nucleic Acid Amplification
Strategies for DNA Microarray-based Pathogen Detection. Applied and Environmental
Microbiology; May 2004; 70(5); 3047-54.
6)
Charles P. T., Vora G. J., Andreadis J. D., Fortney A. J., Meador C. E., Dulcey C. S.,
Stenger D. A., Fabrication and Surface Characterization of DNA Microarrays Using
Amine- and Thiol- Terminated Oligonucleotide Probes. Langmuir; 2003; 19(5); 15861591.
PATENTS
1)
Vora G. J., Meador C. E. and J. D. Andreadis. Microarray-based detection and molecular
characterization of human pathogenic Vibrio spp. Navy case number- 97,197.