MEGAN M. CARTWRIGHT
CONTACT
Email:
meganmcartwright@gmail.com
EDUCATION
Ph.D. Candidate in Environmental Toxicology, University of Washington, Seattle,
WA. Expected defense Fall 2015.
 Thesis: Multi-walled carbon nanotube-induced lung pathology is modulated
by mouse strain, glutathione status, and nanotube characteristics.
 Advisor: Dr. Terrance Kavanagh
B.S. in Biochemistry, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH. Graduated 2006.
HONORS, AWARDS, & GRANTS
NIEHS Travel Scholarship, NIEHS Population-Based Rodent Resources for
Environmental Health Sciences Meeting, 2015.
Graduate Student Travel Award, University of Washington Graduate School, 2014.
Recipient of Pilot Project Award, NIEHS Center for Ecogenetics & Environmental
Health, University of Washington, 2013.
Member, Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society, Ohio State University, 2006.
Graduated Magna cum Laude, with Distinction in Biochemistry, with Honors and
Distinction in the Arts and Sciences, Ohio State University, 2006.
Dean’s List, Ohio State University, 2002 – 2006.
University Tradition Scholarship, Ohio State University, 2002 – 2006.
Dean’s Undergraduate Research Fund, Ohio State University, 2005 – 2006.
Pressey Honors Endowment, Ohio State University, 2006.
Undergraduate Student Government Academic Enrichment Grant, Ohio State
University, 2006.
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Graduate Research Assistant, University of Washington, 09/10 – present.
 Investigating physicochemical-genetic interactions underlying carbon
nanotube-induced lung inflammation, fibrosis, and function in vivo
M.M. Cartwright / Page 1 of 6



Investigated protective effect of growth factors on neuronal cytoskeleton in
Parkinson’s disease in vitro model
Developed assay for predicting liver damage from serum samples
Cloned and characterized organophosphate-sensitive esterase domain of
human Neuropathy Target Esterase
Research Technician II, Seattle Biomed, 01/08 – 04/10.
 Characterized pregnancy-associated malaria vaccine candidate target
 Promoted from Research Technician I to II
Research Technician Intermediate, University of Michigan Health System, 08/06 –
08/07.
 Characterized genetic, metabolic, and biomechanical properties of sepsisassociated bacteria
Student Researcher, Comparative Orthopedic Laboratory, Ohio State University, 05/05
– 06/06.
 Fulfilled research and thesis requirements for Undergraduate Honors Thesis
 Investigated knockdown of Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha in primary
osteoarthritis through RNA interference in cultured guinea pig chondrocytes
Student Research Assistant, Department of Neuroscience, Ohio State University, 06/05
– 09/05.
 Maintained mouse colony for epilepsy studies
Student Research Assistant, Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organism Biology,
Ohio State University, 06/04 – 09/04.
 Collected field samples for long-term national study of controlled burns in
forestland
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of Washington, 09/11 – 12/11.
Course: Exploring Environment and Health Connections (ENV H 111)
 Led weekly discussion section
 Lectured for toxicology unit
 Instructed and evaluated students on writing about environmental health and
related science topics
Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of Washington, 01/12 – 03/12.
Course: Environmental and Occupational Health (ENV H 511)
 Lectured for environmental chemicals and toxicology unit
 Graded student exams
AFFILIATIONS & LEADERSHIP
Board Member, Engage, University of Washington, 08/14 – present.
M.M. Cartwright / Page 2 of 6

Developing curriculum and fundraising for science communication
workshops geared to graduate students
Secretary, Association for Women in Science – Seattle Chapter, 07/14 – present.
 Documenting and maintaining records of Board meetings
 Assisting with planning and execution of public events to promote women’s
participation in science and technology
Board Member, Bioscience Careers Committee, University of Washington, 06/12 –
present.
 Organizing graduate student-run seminars hosting Ph.D.-level speakers on
non-academic science careers
Student Member, Society of Toxicology, 03/14 – present.
Student Member, Pacific Northwest Association of Toxicologists, 08/13 – present.
Volunteer, Paws on Science, Pacific Science Center, 2013 – present.

Developing and running child-friendly experiments to promote public
understanding of toxicology and molecular biology
Science Fair Judge, Seattle-area schools, 2011 – present.
 Judging middle and high school science fair projects
RESEARCH COLLABORATIONS
Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National
Laboratory, 07/14 – 08/14.

Characterized multi-walled carbon nanotubes using helium ion
microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy,
and Raman spectroscopy.
Gordon Group, New York University Langone Medical Center, 04/13 – present.
 Analyzing lung tissue samples collected by Gordon Group from multiple
strains of mice exposed to carbon nanotubes.
Posner Group, University of Washington, 06/13 – 09/14.
 Characterized multi-walled carbon nanotubes by measuring zeta potentials
and hydrodynamic diameters.
PRESENTATIONS
Cartwright M. Vaping: History, Health, and Heigl. Invited presentation for middle and
high school health teachers as part of environmental health continuing education unit.
Seattle, WA: 2014.
M.M. Cartwright / Page 3 of 6
Cartwright M. Nanotechnology & Nanotoxicology. Invited public talk for Public
Health Café, Seattle, WA: 2014.
Cartwright M. Faster Laptops, Better Drugs, Worse Lungs: The Perils and Promises of
Carbon Nanotubes. Invited public talk at Town Hall Seattle, Seattle, WA: 2014.
PUBLICATIONS
Baker PE, Cole TB, Cartwright MM, Suzuki SM, Thummel TE, Lin YS, Co AL, Rettie
AE, Kim JH, Furlong CE. Identifying safer anti-wear triaryl phosphate additives for jet
engine lubricants. Chemico-Biological Interactions. 2013 Mar;203(1):257-64.
Avril M, Cartwright MM, Hathaway MJ, Smith JD. Induction of strain-transcendent
antibodies to placental-type isolates with VAR2CSA DBL3 or DBL5 recombinant
proteins. Malaria Journal. 2011 Feb;10(1):36.
Avril M, Cartwright MM, Hathaway MJ, Hommel M, Reiter K, Fried M, Narum DL,
Beeson JG, Smith JD. Immunization with VAR2CSA-DBL5 recombinant protein elicits
broadly cross-reactive antibodies to placental Plasmodium falciparum-infected
erythrocytes. Infection & Immunity. 2010 May;78(5):2248-56.
Avril M, Hathaway MJ, Cartwright MM, Gose S, Narum DL, Smith JD. Optimizing
expression of the pregnancy malaria vaccine candidate VAR2CSA in Pichia pastoris.
Malaria Journal. 2009 Jun 29;8:143.
Chung H, Cartwright MM, Bortz DM, Jackson TL, Younger JG. Dynamical system
analysis of Staphylococcus epidermidis bloodstream infection. SHOCK. 2008
Nov;30(5):518-26.
POSTERS
Cartwright M, Schmuck S, Chisholm C, Corredor C, Posner J, Shutthanandan V, Baer
DR, Kavanagh T. Glutathione deficiency modulates susceptibility to multi-walled carbon
nanotube-associated acute lung pathology in mice. Poster presented at Pacific Northwest
Association of Toxicologists, Seattle, WA: 2014.
Cartwright M, Schmuck S, White C, Corredor C, Botta D, Scoville D, Chishol C,
Posner J, Gordon T, Kavanagh T. A comparative in vivo screening of nine classes of
multi-walled carbon nanotubes for acute lung toxicity in mice. Poster presented at
Society of Toxicology, Phoenix, AZ: 2014.
Cartwright M, Scoville D, Schmuck S, An D, Carosino C, White C, Corredor C, Gao X,
Botta D, Chisholm C, Posner J, Gordon T, Altemeir W, Parks W, Kavanagh T.
Characterization of pulmonary function and toxicity in mice following exposure to
quantum dots or multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Poster presented at Symposium on
NIEHS Centers for Nanotechnology Health Implications Research Consortium, Los
Angeles, CA: 2013.
M.M. Cartwright / Page 4 of 6
Cartwright M, Schmuck S, White C, Corredor C, Botta D, Scoville D, Chishol C,
Posner J, Gordon T, Kavanagh T. A comparative in vivo screening of nine classes of
multi-walled carbon nanotubes for acute lung toxicity in mice. Poster presented at
Pacific Northwest Association of Toxicologists, Seattle, WA: 2013.
Cartwright MM, Suzuki S, Cole T, Baker P, Furlong C. Recombinant human
Neuropathy Target Esterase in inhibited in vitro by tri-o-cresyl phosphate’s cyclic
metabolite. Poster presented at Pacific Northwest Association of Toxicologists, North
Bonneville, WA: 2011.
Cartwright MM, Kavanagh TJ. Development of an assay for predicting acetaminopheninduced liver damage in mice based on serum levels of cell-free mitochondrial DNA.
Presentation for 2011 Dept. of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences Ph.D.
Students Rotation Talks, Seattle, WA: 2011.
Avril M, Cartwright MM, Hathaway MJ, Hommel M, Beeson JG, Smith JD.
Immunization with VAR2CSA DBL5 recombinant proteins elicits broadly cross-reactive
antibodies to placental type, CSA-binding infected erythrocytes. Poster presented at
American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 57th Annual Meeting, New Orleans,
LA: 2008.
Chung H, Cartwright M, Thompson A, Jackson T, Bortz D, Younger J. Neutropenic
Staphylococcus epidermidis bacterimia in a multicompartment pharmacokinetic system.
Acad Emerg Med 14:S178-179. Poster presented at 2007 Society for Academic
Emergency Medicine, Chicago, IL: 2007.
Cartwright M, Bender R, Younger J. Nitrogen limitation promotes spontaneous
flocculation by encapsulated Klebsiella pneumoniae. Poster presented at 4th American
Society of Microbiology Conference on Biofilms. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada: 2007.
Younger J, Cartwright M. Nonparametric statistical analysis of bacterial aggregate flow
cytometric sizing data. Poster presented at 4th American Society of Microbiology
Conference on Biofilms. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada: 2007.
Chung H, Jackson T, Bortz DM, Cartwright M, Younger J. Multiple-compartment
bacterial clearance kinetics during murine bacteremia. J Crit Care 21(4):359-360. Poster
presented at 5th International Conference on Complexity in Acute Illness. Washington,
D.C.: 2006.
Cartwright M, Santangelo K, Bertone A. Down-regulation of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α
in Dunkin-Hartley guinea pig chondrocytes using RNAi techniques. Poster presented at
Denman Undergraduate Research Forum. Ohio State University, Columbus, OH: 2006.
Cartwright M, Santangelo K, Bertone A. Down-regulation of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α
in Dunkin-Hartley guinea pig chondrocytes using RNAi techniques. Poster presented at
M.M. Cartwright / Page 5 of 6
College of Biological Sciences Annual Undergraduate Research Colloquium. Ohio State
University, Columbus, OH: 2006.
M.M. Cartwright / Page 6 of 6