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Andrea James

Andrea James

Associate Professor

Biological Sciences
Natural and Health Sciences

Contact Information

Phone
970-351-3521
Fax
970-351-2335
Office
Ross Hall 2550
Office Hours
M/W 3-4:30pm
Mailing Address
University of Northern Colorado
Biological Sciences
Campus Box 92
Greeley, CO 80639

Education

2015- 2016   Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Pittsburgh, Ophthalmology
2012- 2015   Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University Texas at Austin, Department of Molecular Biosciences
2005- 2011   PhD, Stanford University, Molecular and Cellular Physiology
2000-2005    Bachelor of Science, San Francisco State University, Biology Major with an emphasis in Cell and Molecular Biology, Chemistry and History minor

Professional/Academic Experience

2013-2015      Guest Lecturer, Developmental Biology lecture and lab, University of Texas at Austin
2012-2015      Undergraduate and Graduate Research Mentor, University of Texas, at Austin
Fall 2011         Academic Lecturer, Undergraduate and Graduate Developmental Biology, Masters seminar in Stem Cell Biology, San Francisco State University
2006-2011      7th and 8th Grade Science Lab Instructor, 49ers Academy in East Palo Alto
2009                Undergraduate Teaching Assistant, Developmental Biology, Stanford University
2007, 2009      Undergraduate Summer Research Mentor, Stanford Summer Research Program
2007, '09, '11   Program Assistant, Stanford Summer Research Program
2007, 2008      Undergraduate Teaching Assistant, Cell Biology, Stanford University
2003-2005       Learning Assistance Center, San Francisco State University
2002-2003       Teaching Assistant, Phlebotomy Training Program, San Francisco State University

Other Experience

Currently Teaching: Cell Biology, Molecular Genetics

Research/Areas of Interest

The goal of my research is to determine how cell adhesion components contribute to choroid fissure closure (CFC-closure of the ventral eye), and, more specifically, how the adhesion proteins/complexes mediate intracellular signaling and subsequent regulation of cytoskeletal stability required for proper closure. Zebrafish offer a powerful model system through which the molecular and cellular underpinnings of CFC can be elucidated due to the diverse array of imaging, genetic and molecular tools available in the system. My previous research establishes a system through which discrete events during eye development can be dissected at the cellular and molecular level. My future research builds upon these studies, and focuses on dissecting the molecular underpinnings of tissue fusion in the choroid fissure.

Publications/Creative Works

Research Articles (previously published as A. Hartsock)
*James, A., *Lee, C., Williams, A., Angileri, K., Lathrop, K., and J. Gross. The Hyaloid Vasculature Facilitates Basement Membrane Breakdown during Choroid Fissure Closure in the Zebrafish Eye. Manuscript in review at Developmental Biology * Co-First Authors
 
Hartsock, A., Lee, C., Arnold, V., and J. Gross. Hyaloid vasculature formation in zebrafish does not require the lens for recruitment of vascular precursor cells Developmental Biology, 394 (2), 327-39, 2014
 
*Hayes, J., *Hartsock, A., Clark, B., Napier, H., Link, B. and J. Gross. Integrin-alpha5/ Fibronectin and Focal adhesion Kinase are required for lens fiber morphogenesis in Zebrafish. Molecular Biology of the Cell. 23(24)4725-38, 2012 * Co-First Authors
 
Hartsock, A., and W. James Nelson. Competitive Regulation of E-cadherin Degradation by p120-Catenin Binding and Hakai-Mediated Ubiquitination. PLoS ONE. 7(5) e37476, 2012
 
Reviews
Hartsock, A., and W. James Nelson. Adherens and Tight Junctions: Structure, function, and connections to the actin cytoskeleton. BBA Biomembranes, 2008 Mar;1778 (3): 660-9.

Honors and Awards

2015   ARVO Annual Meeting “Hot Topic”, ARVO Denver, CO
2013   Poster presentation winner, SBD Regional Meeting Austin, TX
2010   Minority Affairs Committee (MAC) Travel Grant for the American Society for Cell Biology
2008   Carl Strom Minority Fellowship, Gordon Conference Boston, MA
2004   University of Michigan Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP)
2003   Poster presentation winner, SACNAS conference in Albuquerque, NM