KEVIN HART

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KEVIN HART
263 Governors Park Rd. Bellefonte, Pa 16823 | 814-380-6818 | Kevin.Hart@psu.edu
EDUCATION
The Pennsylvania State University
Ph.D. in Immunology and Infectious Diseases (In Progress)
Lindner Lab
Doctoral Committee: Scott Lindner (Chair), Paul Babitzke, Joseph Reese,
Liwang Cui, and Manuel Llinas

2013- Present

Clarion University of Pennsylvania

Bachelors of Science in Molecular Biology/Biotechnology
Smith Lab

2008-2012

Pen Argyl Area High School

Concentration in Biology
College Preparatory Seal

2004-2008

PUBLICATIONS
A Bioinformatic Survey of RNA-binding proteins in Plasmodium
November 2015
Reddy B.P., Shrestha S., Hart K.J., Liang X., Kemirembe K., Cui L., Lindner S.E.
BMC Genomics 2015; 16:890.
AWARDS
Huck Graduate Research Innovation Award
$5,000 Award for RNA-Tag Project

2015

1st Place Platform Session, Identification and Characterization of an

Anti-Microbial Activity Derived from Human Urine
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania University Biologists Annual Meeting

2011

2nd Place Platform Session, Identification of an Anti-Microbial Activity in

Human Urine
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania University Biologists Annual Meeting

2010

Keystone Innovation Zone Internship

2010-2011
Awarded for summers and academic years; anti-biofilm agent; in patent process
1st place Platform session Factors which effect Biofilm Formation In Vitro
by a Uropathogenic Strain of E. coli.
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania University Biologists Annual Meeting

2009

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RELATED EXPERIENCE
The Pennsylvania State University
August 2013 - Present
Ph.D. Student
Researching RNA Metabolism in Plasmodium yoelii focusing
on deadenylation and the CCR4-Not complex.
Teaching Assistant
January 2015 May 2015
Taught Introductory Microbiology Lab to Mixed year
Undergraduates at Penn State
Teaching Assistant
August 2014 December 2014
Assisted in teaching Effective Scientific Communications to
First year graduate students at Penn State
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh Pa.
Research Specialist
Studied HMGB-1 released from platelets and its role in
trauma and inflammation in mouse and human blood

August 2012 August 2013

Clarion Research Group, Clarion Pa.

May 2010 August 2012
Researcher / KIZ Funded Full year Internship (2010-2011)
Researched biofilm formation and ways to prevent and slow the
process; developing a drug for use in preventing chronic urinary
tract infection; in patent process
New Laboratory Budget and Set-Up
Assistant on several other projects including setting up a salivary
diagnostics laboratory and development of new dental therapies
Undergraduate Research, Clarion University, Clarion Pa.
Student Researcher
Group Leader
Lab Manager
Performed experiments. Lab management involved coordinating 10
projects/over 40 undergraduates, ordering of supplies, leading
weekly lab meetings, organizing events and attendance at meeting,
coordinating submission of grant proposals

2008 2012
2008 2012
2009 2012
2010 2012

Clarion University, Clarion Pa.

Microbiology Preparatory Room Work Study
Prepared media for General Microbiology, Pathogenic
Microbiology, Mycology, and Environmental Microbiology
laboratory courses.

2009-2012

Pen Argyl Area High School, Pen Argyl Pa.

Student Researcher

2006-2007

KEVIN HART

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Monitored a streams physical and chemical data for Waste

Management under school supervision
PROCEEDING ABSTRACTS
2016
Hart, K.J.* Munoz, E.E. Walker, M.P. Taylor, D. Kennedy, M. and S.E. Lindner. 2016.
The CCR4-1 deadenylase plays a major role regulating malarial transmission from host to
vector. The Alan Magill Malaria Symposium.
Hart, K.J.* Munoz, E.E. Walker, M.P. Taylor, D. Kennedy, M. and S.E. Lindner. 2016.
The CCR4-1 deadenylase plays a major role regulating malarial transmission from host to
vector. World Malaria Day Meeting.
2015
Hart, K.J.* Kennedy, M. Walker, M.P. and S.E. Lindner. 2015. Functional
Characterization of RNA Regulators in Malaria Transmission. The Future of Malaria
Research Meeting.
2014
Hart, K.J.*, Kennedy, M. and S.E. Lindner. 2014. Functional Characterization of RNA
Regulators in Malaria Transmission. The American Society for Tropical Medicine and
Hygiene.
Hart, K.J.*, Kennedy, M. and S.E. Lindner. 2014. Functional Characterization of RNA
Deadenylases in Plasmodium yoelii development and transmission. Molecular
Parasitology Meeting.
2012
Hart, K.J., A.D. Cypher, M.E. Clay, A. Keth, and D.M. Smith. 2012. Development of a
Novel Detection Method for Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. Clarion University of
Pennsylvania, Clarion, Pennsylvania, 16214.
Knauer, A.J., Balogun, R.A.*, Hart, K.J., Hazelet, H.P., Kitzmiller, T.R., J.B. Touster, A.
Lockwood, and D.M. Smith. 2012. Further characterization and purification of an
antimicrobial activity in human urine. Clarion University of Pennsylvania, Clarion,
Pennsylvania, 16214.
Pikna, E., H.P. Hazelet, C. Patel, T.R. Kitzmiller, A.J. Knauer, R.A. Balogun, K.J.
Hart, J.B. Touster, A. Lockwood, and D.M. Smith. 2012. An Anti-Microbial found in
Human Urine: Further Characterization. Clarion University of Pennsylvania, Clarion,
Pennsylvania 16214.

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PROCEEDING ABSTRACTS CONTD.

2011
Hart, K.J.*, A. Knauer, R. Balogun, E. Pikna, A. Points, T. Kitzmiller, H. Hazelet, C.
Patel, M. Clay, A. Lockwood, J. Touster, and D.M. Smith. 2011. Identification and
Characterization of an Anti-Microbial Activity Derived from Human Urine.
Commonwealth of PA University Biologists Annual Meeting.
Knauer, A.J.*, R.A. Balogun*, H.P. Hazelet*, K.J. Hart, A. Lockwood, J.B. Touster, and
D.M. Smith. 2011. Characterization of an Antimicrobial Agent Found in Urine.
Commonwealth of PA University Biologists Annual Meeting.
Pikna, E.J.*, T.R. Kitzmiller*, K.J. Hart, C.J. Patel, M.E. Clay, A.J. Knauer, R. Balogun,
H. Hazelet, and D.M. Smith. 2011. Characterization of an Unknown Anti-Microbial
found in Human Urine. Commonwealth of PA University Biologists Annual Meeting.
2010
Hart, K.J.*, R. Balogun, A. Knauer, A. Points, and D.M. Smith. 2010. Identification of
an Antimicrobial Activity in Human Urine. Commonwealth of PA University Biologists
Annual Meeting.
Knauer, A.J*, R.A. Balogun*, A.M. Points*, K.J. Hart, D.M. Smith. 2010. A New
Activity with Antimicrobial Properties Found in Human Urine. Commonwealth of PA
University Biologists Annual Meeting.
2009
Cairone, J.V., J.R. Martin, P.M. Johnson, K.J. Hart, A.L. Tyler, M.E. Seabright and D.M.
Smith. 2009. Factors which effect biofilm formation in vitro by a uropathogenic strain of
E. coli. Commonwealth of PA University Biologists Annual Meeting.
Martin, J.R., J.V. Cairone, K.J. Hart*, A.L. Tyler*, P.M. Johnson and D.M. Smith. 2009.
Isolation of potential biofilm inhibitors in male urine. Commonwealth of PA University
Biologists Annual Meeting.
RELATED SKILLS
Biology
Agar and Broth Preparation
Agarose Gel Electrophoresis
Anti-Microbial Susceptibility Testing
Bacterial Classification Techniques
Bacterial Culture
Bacterial Transformation
Cell Culture of Adherent Cells

Cell Culture of Suspension Cells

Creation of a Monoclonal Antibody
ELISA
Explant Culture
Fluorescence Microscopy
Indirect Immunofluorescence
Mosquito Rearing/Dissections
Mouse and Rat work
PCR (RT & Q)

KEVIN HART

Plasmodium yoelii Transfection

Biology Contd.
SDS PAGE
Size Exclusion Chromatography
Tissue Culture
Western Blot
Yeast Transformation
Chemistry
Extraction

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Fractional Distillation
IR Spectroscopy
Simple Distillation
UV Spectroscopy
Other Skills
Google Docs and Related
Mac OS-X
Microsoft Office Suites
Windows 7, 8, 10

RELEVANT COURSES
Biology
Biology of Cancer
Biotechnology
Cell Biology
Cell Culture
Cell Physiology
General Microbiology
Genetics
Immunology
*Immunology Journal Club
*Microbial Biology
Molecular Biology
*Molecular Immunology
Monoclonal and Polyclonal Antibodies
Pathogenic Microbiology
Principles of Biology I & II
Virology

Chemistry
Biochemistry I & II
General Chemistry I & II
Organic Chemistry I & II
Organic Spectroscopy
Other Related Courses
Applied Calculus
Applied Statistics
Bioethics
Biological Psychology
*Course in College Teaching
*Ethics in the Life Sciences
Humans and Culture
Physics I & II
Research Methodology and Writing
Scientific and Technical Writing
*Statistics

*Indicates graduate level course at Penn State

MEMBERSHIPS
CMIID Grad Student Association
Center for Malaria Research at Penn State
American Society for Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
American Association for the Advancement of Science
CGSA
BIOS Club at Clarion University

2014 - Present
2014 - Present
2014 - Present
2011 - 2015
2013 - 2015
2010 - 2012

KEVIN HART

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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania University Biologists

Eagle Ambassadors at Clarion University
Society of Conservation Biology, Western Pennsylvania Chapter

2008 - 2012
2008 - 2010
2010 - 2012

REFERENCES
Scott Lindner Ph.D.

814-867-4062

Scott.Lindner@psu.edu

W230B Millennium Science Complex,

The Pennsylvania State University,
University Park, Pa 16801

Douglas Smith Ph.D.

dsmith@clarion.edu

357 Grunenwald STC, Clarion University

of Pennsylvania, Clarion, PA 16214

814-393-2561

Matthew Neal M.D.

Nealm2@UPMC.edu

3459 Fifth Avenue, NW607 MUH

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center,
Pittsburgh, PA 15261

412-647-6015