Jessie Rhodes

EDUCATION

College / University

Mount Holyoke College

Highest Degree

Bachelor of Arts

Major Subjects

Molecular Neuroscience

Country

USA, United Kingdom

Lab Experience

Wet Lab: Sanger Sequencing, PCR, RNA extraction, Generating DNA and RNA libraries for NGS, Comparative genomic hybridization, Combined bisulphite restriction analysis, Gel electrophoresis, Tapestation, Nanodrop Spectrophotometer, Immunohistochemistry on brain tissue samples, Protein Purification by affinity column, SDS-Page
Microscopy: Light Microscope, Epifluorescence Microscope, Dissecting Microscope, Confocal Microscopy
Animal Work: Handling and care of adolescent and adult rats (Rattus norvegicus), Habituation of rodents to research setting, Determining pubertal onset in rats, Analyzing behaviour in adolescent and adult rats, Lateral tail vein blood sampling, Brain collection, Preparation of tissues for cryosectioning, slicing using cryostat, Handling and care of Drosophila melanogaster, Dissection and fixation of adult D. melanogaster brains and ventral nerve cord

Projects / Research

2025 – 2026: Cytogenetics Intern, "Retrospective Analysis of Actionable Lung Cancer Biomarkers for Precision Oncology in an Underrepresented Patient Population", Rutgers Medical School Department of Pathology
2025 – 2026: Student Researcher, "Spatial patterning of serotonergic neurons and autoreceptors in Drosophila melanogaster", Roossien Lab, Mount Holyoke College
2023 – 2024: Research Assistant, "The effect of adolescent social instability stress on cognitive bias in male and female rats across the lifespan", Hodges Lab, Mount Holyoke College
2023: Summer Research Intern, Rutgers Medical School Genomics Center

Scholarships / Awards

2026 – 2027:	Stipend by the International Max Planck Research School
2022 – 2026:	Mount Holyoke College Leadership Award
2024:	Abby Turner Award for Excellence in Biology
2024:	Alice Withington Rooke Scholarship
2023:	Bernice Maclean Award for Excellence in Biology

SCIENTIFIC INTERESTS AND GOALS

My passion for molecular biology began with a fascination with how our DNA provides the blueprint for life. Over time I have developed an interest in the role of epigenetics and the control of genetic expression in pathophysiology. I am particularly drawn to investigating how dysregulated genetic mechanisms drive neurodegenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, as well as inherited cancers. Uncovering the role gene expression plays within disease is critical for developing new therapeutics. My goal is to learn more about different approaches to understanding how errors in epigenetic modification and gene regulation contribute to disease. I am eager to gain hands-on experience with advanced techniques to tackle these complex biological questions and ultimately contribute meaningful insights to our broader scientific understanding.