Resume

Aster Sigel
C: (504) 909 0144
Email: aster.sigel@nsc.edu
Sigel@unlv.nevada.edu
EDUCATION:
M.Ed.

University Of Nevada Las Vegas

Las Vegas, NV Expected May 2016

Graduate Courses
Tulane University
New Orleans, LA 2005
B.S. - Biology

University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)

Los Angeles, CA Dec. 1999

EMPLOYMENT/EXPERIENCE:
Nevada state College, Henderson NV
Department of Physical and Life Sciences
INBRE-Undergraduate Research Laboratory Manger
12/2012-Present
1. Training and Education
Prepare and teach laboratory techniques - INBRE research students
Train students in the use of equipment, software and research
techniques
Train students in laboratory safety
Plan and conduct meetings with student researchers and work study
employees to ensure compliance with established practices, to
implement new policies and to keep students and employees
abreast of current changes and standards.
2. Supervision
Ensure students follow appropriate physical safety, hazardous
materials safe handling, and emergency response procedures and
track attendance in required safety training
Supervise undergraduate research projects and ensure integrity of
research results
Evaluate student performance and research techniques and provide
constructive feedback
3. Administration
Coordinate INBRE grant budget and lab fee accounts via General
Ledger and generate Balance and Activity Reports
Maintain chemical inventory management databases
Order lab supplies
Prepare Purchase Card Payment Net reports
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Prepare and maintain laboratory safety manual and standard

operating procedures for the lab and individual experiments
Maintain documentation of proof of student researchers and
employees safety training
Maintain NSC-INBRE website
4. Research Lab Operation and Maintenance
Develop and implement preventative maintenance programs
relating to calibration and maintenance of equipment
Oversee the operation, calibration, and maintenance of all research
equipment
Investigate, troubleshoot and resolve instrument problems and
failures
Negotiate and schedule annual service contracts for equipment
Ensure that research areas are always clean, organized, and
adhering to safety standards. Report cleaning needs to Facilities.
5. Innovation
Develop new protocols and experimental techniques
Develop new workshops and undergraduate training programs and
certifications
Work with faculty in grant preparation
Research new instruments for future acquisition
Evaluate and recommend new techniques and technologies.
Tulane University Medical School, New Orleans, LA
Department of Medicine-General Clinical Research Center (GCRC)
Core Laboratory Supervisor
02/2009-2012
Supervise the activities of core lab including the work of laboratory
personnel engaged in performing routine and specialized technical
procedures and ensure data quality.
Ensure proper function of laboratory equipment and compliance
with federal regulations; prepare and maintain applicable records.
Design and carry out experiments involving molecular and cell
biology such as Genotyping, Multiplex immunoassays including
ELISA for assigned project.
Standardize and validate new assays for assigned projects.
Coordinate site visits with pharmaceutical companies for clinical
trial studies and communicate with sponsor, principal investigator
and study coordinators regarding protocol activities, clarifications,
and other requirements.
Supervise the activities and perform pre-analytical specimen
processing and shipping for clinical trial studies and investigator
initiated research studies.
Maintain CAP and CLIA certifications through routine proficiency
testing, quality management and quality improvement.
Ensure that laboratory equipment and analytical instruments
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preventative maintenance and service contract records are up to

date.
Perform instrument calibrations/validations as needed.
Ensure all laboratory technician receive training.

University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA

UCLA Department of Anesthesiology and Molecular Medicine, UCLA -Neurology
Staff Research Associate II
3/2006-8/2007
Activities and responsibilities:
Design and carry out experiments involving molecular and cell biology:
purification of DNA/Plasmid DNA and RNA, cDNA Synthesis; real time
PCR (genotyping of knockout mice), DNA constructs, maintain cell
culture for transfection, Western blotting, dissociation of smooth
muscle cells from rats, immunocytochemistry, maintain and breed
mice colonies.
Managerial responsibilities: Ensure laboratory compliance with
University regulations, maintain supplies and inventories, train
laboratory technicians, postdocs, and graduate students on new
instruments and new assay techniques.
Tulane University Medical School, New Orleans, LA
Department of Medicine-General Clinical Research Center (GCRC)
Medical Research Specialist
10/2000-12/2005
Activities and responsibilities:
Conduct clinical research experiments involving molecular and
biochemical techniques: DNA and RNA extractions, agarose gel
Electrophoresis, real-time PCR assay (SNP Genotyping by allelic
discrimination assay), primers and probes design, Quantitative
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), cell culturing
Prepare posters/abstracts for presentations, periodic presentations of
results and works in progress, to staff of General clinical Center
Managerial responsibilities: train medical students and fellows on
molecular techniques, recruitment and consent of study participants,
lab maintenance and safety, ordering lab supplies
University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute
Research Assistant
2/2000-6/2000
Activities and responsibilities:

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Assist graduate student and PI in various experiments involving

conventional molecular biological and biochemical techniques:
Western blots, animal tissue cryosectioning and staining, scan western
blot gel pictures.

Los Angeles City College, Los Angeles, CA

Chemistry Lab Assistant
1996-1997
Activities and responsibilities:
Reagent preparation, stability and viability testing on old reagents
including assisting students with experiment setup and ordering lab
supplies
VOLUNTEER WORK:
Tulane University Medical Center, New Orleans, LA
Nurse Assistant
2000
UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
Clinical Lab Assistant
1997-1999
California Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
Emergency Room Assistant
1997-1977
INSTRUMENTS:
Applied Biosystems 7500 Fast Real-Time PCR System
CFX, iCycler Biorad Real-Time PCR system
eSensor GenMark Genotyping System
BioAnalyzer 2100
Nano Drop Spectrophotometer
Countess - automated cell counter (Invitrogen)
Luminex 200 (Bio-plex)
ELx 405 Magnetic and Non Magnetic beads automated plate washer
uQuant ELISA Reader/ KC4 Software
COMPUTER SKILLS:
Window, Mac, MS office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access), SPSS, SAS, GIS
PUBLICATIONS: Aster (Gebrekal) Sigel
Tina K. Thethi, MD, MPH, Aster Sigel, Japa Shanker, PhD, Roberta
McDuffie, MSN, ACNS-BC, BSBA, CDE, Shamsa Ali, MD, Ajaz Banka,
MD, Nick Avitabile, MD, Amna Khan, MD, C. Lillian Yau, PhD, Vivian
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Fonseca, MD. Polymorphisms of the endocannabinoid system in

obese African American women. Journal of Investigative Medicine,
2011, Feb, Vol 59, No 2, (492), page 510
Albert W. Dreisbach, Janet C. Rice, Shanker Japa, John W. Newman,
Aster Sigel, Rajan S. Gill, Arthur E. Hess, Angela C. Cemo, Juan P.
Fonseca, Bruce D. Hammock, Juan J.L. Lertora, L. Lee Hamm. Salt
Loading Increases Urinary Excretion of Linoleic Acid Diols and Triols
in Healthy Human Subjects.
Hypertension 2008;51;755-761;
Dreisbach AW, Japa S, Sigel A, Hess AE, Wilkerson H, Landry WB,
Farin FM, Lertora JJ. Prevalence of NEDD4L cryptic splice site
polymorphism in African-Americans with hypertension.
Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics Feb 2006 79 Suppl. S
Dreisbach AW, Japa S, Sigel A, Parenti MB, Hess AE,
Srinouanprachanh SL, Rettie AE, Kim H, Farin FM, Hamm LL, Lertora
JJ. The Prevalence of CYP2C8, 2C9, 2J2, and Soluble Epoxide
Hydrolase Polymorphisms in African Americans With Hypertension.
Am J Hypertens. 2005 Oct; 18(10):1276-81.
Dreisbach AW, Japa S Gebrekal AB, J Juan P. Fonseca, Parenti MB,
Farin FM MD1 and Juan J.L. Lertora
. Prevalence of cytochrome
P450 CYP2C8 polymorphisms in African-Americans (AA) endstage
renal disease (ESRD). Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2004)
75, P63
Seltzer B, Japa S., Gebrekal A., Vidulescu C. and Clejan S. Blood
histamine and C-reactive protein levels are elevated in Alzheimer's
disease: Relation to markers of oxidative stress and free radical
formation. Neurobiology of Aging . Jul 2004 VL 25 Suppl.2
Dreisbach AW, Japa S, Gebrekal AB, Mowry SE, Lertora JJ, Kamath
BL, Rettie AE. Cytochrome P4502C9 activity in end-stage renal
disease. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2003 May;73(5):475-7.
ABSTRACTS/POSTERS:
Thethi, K. T., Sigel, A., Katalenich, B. L., Japa, S., ,Liu, L., Nguyen, T.,
Larrazolo, J., Carpio, G., Lovre, D., Htun, W., Syu, S., Carefoot, E.,
Stell, C. A., Moreau, C., Japa, U., Mcduffie, R., Fonseca,
V. . Comparison of the Polymorphisms of the Endocannabinoid
System between Obese and Nonobese Subjects. Presented at
American Diabetes Association (ADA) 75th Scientific Sessions, Board
No. 2224 Boston, MA. 2015, June (Poster)
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Tina K. Thethi, Aster Sigel, Japa Shanker, Roberta McDuffie,

Shamsa Ali, , Ajaz Banka,, Nick Avitabile, Amna Khan, C. Lillian Yau,
Vivian Fonseca,. Polymorphisms of the endocannabinoid system in
obese African American women. Southern Regional Meetings in
New Orleans February February 2011, (Abstract)
Albert W Dreisbach, Janet C Rice, Shanker Japa, John W Newman,
Aster Sigel, Rajan Gill, Arthur E Hess, Bruce D Hammock, Juan JL
Lertora, L Lee Hamm Salt Loading Increases Urinary Excretion of
Linoleic Acid Diols and Triols in Healthy Human Subjects. The
American Society of Nephrology in San Francisco October 31November 5, 2007.
Albert W Dreisbach, Shanker Japa, Aster Sigel , Melissa B Parenti,
Arthur E Hess, Hui-Wen Wilkerson, Federico M Farin, Juan JL Lertora,
L Lee Hamm. Prevalence of NEDD4L cryptic splice site
polymorphism in African-Americans with Hypertension. The
American Society of Nephrology November 8 - 13, 2005 Baltimore
Dreisbach AW, Japa S, Sigel A, Parenti MB, Hess AE,
Srinouanprachanh SL, Rettie AE, Kim H, Farin FM, Hamm LL, Lertora
JJ. The Prevalence of CYP2C8, 2C9, 2J2, and Soluble Epoxide
Hydrolase Polymorphisms in African Americans With Hypertension.
(Poster- 106th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Clinical
Pharmacology and Therapeutics (ASCPT).March 2-6, 2005 Orlando.)
AW Dreisbach, S Japa, Aster Sigel JP Fonseca, Melissa B Parenti,
BF M Farin, Allan E Rettie, JJL Lertora, Prevalence of CYP2C9,
CYP2J2, and Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase Polymorphisms in AfricanAmericans on Hemodialysis. (Poster-106th Annual Meeting of the
American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics
(ASCPT).March 2-6, 2005 Orlando, Florida.)
Dreisbach AW, Japa S, Gebrekal AB, Fonseca JP, Parenti M, Lertora
JJL.
Prevalence of CYP2C8 polymorphisms in African-Americans on
hemodialysis. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2004 .
Dreisbach AW, Japa S, Gebrekal AB, Lertora JJL. Prevalence of
Cytochrome P450CYP2C9 Polymorphism in African-Americans on
Hemodialysis. J Am Soc Nephrol. (Abstract and also presented as a
poster at the American Society of Nephrology national meeting in
Philadelphia on Nov 2, 2002 and for the 2003 Southern Regional
Meetings in New Orleans February 20-22, 2003.)
Dreisbach AW, Japa S, Kamath BL, Mowry SE, Gebrekal A, Tenaglia
AN, Lertora JJL. Endstage Renal Disease (ESRD) Reduces hepatic
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CYP2C9 activity as measured by plasma S/R warfarin ratio. Clin

Pharmacol Ther 71(2):P9, 2002. (Abstract).
Dreisbach AW, Japa S, Gebrekal AB, Lertora JJL. Prevalence of
cytochrome P450 CYP2C9 polymorphisms in African-Americans on
hemodialysis. J Am Soc Nephrol 13:109P, 2002. (Abstract)
Dreisbach AW, Japa S, Kamath B, Mowry SE, Gebrekal A, Tenaglia
AN, Lertora JJL CYP2C9 Activity in Endstage Renal Disease. (PosterThe national meeting of American Society of Clinical Pharmacology
and Therapeutics in Atlanta, GA, March 24-27, 2002.) (AbstractClin Pharmacol Ther 71(2):P9, 2002. Top Abstract

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