Hi, I’m
Abigael Metto
Nairobi
Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.
Aristotle
Summary
Meticulous researcher adept in data collection and analysis. Passionate about advancing knowledge in the neuro sciences through high-quality research. Self-driven with excellent interpersonal skills, planning and problem solving abilities.
Overview
8
years of professional experience
9
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Institute For Quantitative Heath, Science & EngineeringEast Lansing
GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT
08.2019 - 08.2023
Job overview
- Worked on a project designed to develop a genetic-based therapy for seizures and epilepsy.
- Gained hands-on experience in performing electrophysiology experiments in animal models (in vivo and ex vivo) and acquiring multi-unit recordings.
- Analyzed and interpreted electrophysiological data.
- Assisted in preparing articles for publications in scientific journals.
- Presented scientific posters in meetings and a talk at the Society for Neuroscience (Neuroscience 2022).
Institute For Quantitative Heath, Science & EngineeringEast Lansing
PROFESSIONAL AIDE
08.2018 - 08.2019
Job overview
- Took on experiments to study, measure and understand the effects of a novel, genetic-based therapy on seizures.
- Collaborated with researchers to develop and optimize immunohistochemistry protocols to improve data quality.
- Assisted in performing transcardial perfusions and trained lab members on the procedure.
- Used GraphPad Prism to prepare graphs used to summarize research results.
- Developed cross-functional skills and used time efficiently working in lab areas.
Computational Basis For Cognitive Control (CBCC) LabEast Lansing
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT
09.2017 - 08.2018
Job overview
- Worked on a project aimed at examining age-related and individual differences in memory retrieval.
- Performed behavioral experiments on free recall and recognition tasks to assess stability and decline in memory search with age.
- Assisted with Electroencephalogram (EEG) experiments to assess functional brain activity during memory tasks.
Dept. Of Computational Math, Science & EngineeringEast Lansing
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT
05.2017 - 10.2017
Job overview
- Worked on a research project aimed at exploring age and sex-specific gene expression in brain biology and disease.
- Analyzed gene expression data generated using microarrays and RNA Sequencing to identify genes with a potential role in brain pathology.
- Developed computational capabilities through writing code in Python.
- Gained a deeper understanding of the genetic basis of normal brain function and brain disorder.
- Acquired skills in critically reading and interpreting biomedical literature.
Residence Education & Housing ServicesEast Lansing
SERVICE CENTER REPRESENTATIVE
03.2016 - 05.2017
Job overview
- Demonstrated commitment to outstanding customer service.
- Strengthened cultural awareness as a result of interaction with a diverse population of guests and residents.
- Gained analytical and problem-solving skills in confronting complex situations.
US Army Medical Research Unit/Kenya Medical Research Institute/CDCKisumu
RESEARCH INTERN
06.2015 - 08.2015
Job overview
- Partnered with a group of researchers to design effective methods of conducting research on infectious diseases in Western Kenya.
- Evaluated the effectiveness of two antimalarial drugs; Coartem and Dihydroartemisinin/Piperaquine (dppq).
- Ensured Tuberculosis patients adhered to a treatment regimen which helped alleviate Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR TB).
- Acquired skills in recruitment of clinical subjects and improved my ability to interact with people across all ages.
- Improved my understanding of how clinical research organizations operate.
- Reinforced my passion for biomedical research.
Education
Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing, MI
Master of Science from Biomedical Engineering
08.2019 - 08.2023
University Overview
- Relevant Coursework: Neuroinformatics and Quantitative Reasoning, Research Methods, BioDesign IQ, Nanoengineering in Biomedicine
- Society for Neuroscience
- Go Connect MSU
- GPA: 3.85
Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing, MI
Bachelor of Science from Neuroscience; Minor in Cognitive Science
08.2013 - 05.2018
University Overview
- Relevant Coursework: Neuroscience Lab, Computational Modeling, Physics, Human Anatomy & Physiology
- Neuroscience Club
- African Students' Union
- Leadership for African Development
- Data Science Club
- GPA: 3.5
Skills
Independent ResearchExperiment ManagementData AnalysisGrant WritingManuscript WritingResearch Proposals
Specimen and sample preparation
Lab safety
Running experiments
Publications
- Non-invasive neuromodulation using rTMS and the electromagnetic-perceptive gene (EPG) facilitates plasticity after nerve injury, Cywiak C, Ashbaugh RC, Metto AC, Udpa L, Qian C, Gilad AA, Reimers M, Zhong M, Pelled G, Brain Stimulation, 11/2020, 13, 6, 1774-1783, 10.1016/j.brs.2020.10.006, 33068795, PMC7722061
- Multi-session delivery of synchronous rTMS and sensory stimulation induces long-term plasticity, Zhong M*, Cywiak C*, Metto AC, Liu X, Qian C, Pelled G, Brain Stimulation, 07/2021, 14, 4, 884-894, 10.1016/j.brs.2021.05.005, 34029768, PMC8316373
- Closed-loop neurostimulation via expression of magnetogenetics-sensitive protein in inhibitory neurons leads to reduction of seizure activity in a rat model of epilepsy, Metto, A. C., Telgkamp, P., McLane-Svoboda, A. K., Gilad, A. A., & Pelled, G., Brain Research, 2023 Dec 1;1820:148591. doi: 10.1016/j.brainres.2023.148591. Epub 2023 Sep 24. PMID: 37748572.
Availability
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Available
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Timeline
Michigan State University
Master of Science from Biomedical Engineering
08.2019 - 08.2023
GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Institute For Quantitative Heath, Science & Engineering
08.2019 - 08.2023
PROFESSIONAL AIDE
Institute For Quantitative Heath, Science & Engineering
08.2018 - 08.2019
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Computational Basis For Cognitive Control (CBCC) Lab
09.2017 - 08.2018
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Dept. Of Computational Math, Science & Engineering
05.2017 - 10.2017
SERVICE CENTER REPRESENTATIVE
Residence Education & Housing Services
03.2016 - 05.2017
RESEARCH INTERN
US Army Medical Research Unit/Kenya Medical Research Institute/CDC
06.2015 - 08.2015
Michigan State University
Bachelor of Science from Neuroscience; Minor in Cognitive Science
08.2013 - 05.2018