Kylie Marks

B.S. Chemistry from Montana Technological University

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Undergraduate Researcher, Montana Technological University August 2022 – May 2024

• Employment through NIH SEPA PHAGES grant funding to continue an independent bacteriophage research project through the academic year.
  • Analyzed phage-resistance genes of F. psychrophilium using PCR and online bioinformatics programs.
  • Annotated mycobacteriophage genome, HHMI SEA-PHAGES, using various bioinformatic comparative analyses to identify genes in a 65 kb genome.
  • The resulting annotation was submitted to PhagesDB.org and NCBI GenBank.

• Researched process improvement techniques of ambient hydrogen peroxide sterilization using stainless steel biological indicator discs.
• Analyzed and updated process improvement protocols and other protected documents.
• Inoculated biological indicator materials for research and production. 

• Employed through the summer by the IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) NIH Grant in the laboratory of Dr. Diane Bimczok.
  • Established co-culture conditions for gastric organoids and dendritic cells to better understand antigen sampling in the stomach and to determine the immune response to Helicobacter pylori infection.
• Prepared and presented a poster in the NSF REU Poster Symposium in August 2022: Apoptotic Cell Death, Induced by H. pylori Infection, Increases Dendritic Cell Recruitment to the Gastric Epithelium

• Employed by the NIH SEPA PHAGES to continue an independent bacteriophage research project throughout the 2020-2022 academic years.
  • Extracted and PCR amplified DNA sequences of genes from Flavobacterium psychrophilium related to bacteriophage resistance. 
  • Performed bioinformatic comparisons of extracted DNA sequences with other sequences published in GenBank.
• Prepared and presented a poster at the SigmaXi Virtual Research Conference in October 2021 and TechXPO, an on-campus research symposium in April 2022: Isolation of Flavobacterium psychrophilium Toward the Development of Prevention and Treatments for Coldwater Disease of Native Trout

• Prepared reagents for the 2021 Summer Teacher Research Academy and presented research progress to the teachers. 
• Mentored and supervised six high school students during the 2021 PHAGES Summer Pipeline Research Program
  • Students adopted bacteriophages (viruses that infect and kill bacteria) to amplify DNA using PCR.
  • Viral DNA was extracted and archived and findings were submitted to PhagesDB.org. Students concluded with poster presentations.

• Summer Pipeline Intern for the NIH SEPA PHAGES Grant as a rising college freshman researching bacteriophages and isolating strains of Flavobacterium psychrophilium.
  • Flavobacterium psychrophilium (F.p.) was extracted from deceased fish from Washoe Hatchery in Anaconda, Montana. This bacterium was isolated and further characterized by PCR.
• Presented a poster at an on-campus Summer Research Symposium Establishment of conditions for culture and discovery of bacteriophages on Flavobacterium psychrophilium

Receptionist, Sound Health Imaging of St. Peter’s Health December 2021 – Present

• Communicate with patients and medical providers in-person and on the phone, scheduling patient appointments, warmly greeting patients during check-in, faxing reports to providers

• Assist the summer session staff with a variety of activities related to logistics for the summer field courses – including course preparation and orientation. 
• Safely drive vehicles (SUVs and minivans) on field trips – prepare for trips and be responsible for field sampling gear
• Handle logistics for classes including gathering and packing supplies, keeping trips on schedule, and unpacking upon return to FLBS 
• Communicate with Summer Session Program Manager, professors, students, and station staff & assist with other Summer Session tasks as needed.

EDUCATION

Montana Technological University, Butte MT Graduated May 2024

Bachelor of Science, Chemistry,

Biochemistry Concentration, Biology Minor GPA 3.894