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Laura Hamel
Postdoctoral Research Fellow at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Professional Background
Dr. Laura Hamel is a remarkable postdoctoral research fellow currently making significant contributions to the field of pediatric oncology at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Dr. Liqin Zhu's laboratory, part of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Laura's current research revolves around the characterization of pediatric liver cancer using advanced 3D cell culture techniques. Her efforts not only aim to provide a deeper understanding of this challenging disease but also include conducting high-throughput drug screens designed to identify effective therapeutic agents for young patients. This innovative approach to cancer research marks a pivotal step toward improved treatment options for children facing such formidable health challenges.
Before her tenure at St. Jude, Dr. Hamel gained invaluable experience during her PhD studies at the University of South Florida under the mentorship of Dr. Robert Deschenes. Her doctoral work focused on molecular medicine, culminating in pioneering publications. Notably, she developed a novel fluorescence-based assay to monitor the autopalmitoylation of zDHHC proteins, which has applications in high-throughput screening environments. The results of her research were published in acclaimed journals, including "Analytical Biochemistry" in 2014 and "Comb Chem High Throughput Screen" in 2016, showcasing her expertise in biochemical assay development and drug discovery.
Laura's impressive background also includes a research fellowship at the Technische Universität Braunschweig in Germany, where she had the opportunity to screen organometallic compounds for anti-cancer activity. Her findings during this time were critical contributions to the scientific understanding of organometallic therapies and were published in several respected journals between 2010 and 2013, including "Organometallics" and the "Journal of Organometallic Chemistry." This early work laid the foundation for her subsequent advancements in drug development, embedding her deep understanding of material interaction with biological systems.
In addition to her extensive research, Dr. Hamel possesses a rich educational background. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry from the University of New Hampshire and a Master's degree in Pharmacology and Toxicology from the University of Rhode Island. Her Master’s research focused on the activation and translocation of the Constitutive Androstane Receptor in human hepatocytes, with results published in "Toxicology Letters" in 2010. This breadth of educational experiences not only expanded her technical skills but also solidified her foundational knowledge in pharmacology and toxicology, integral to her research pursuits.
Education and Achievements
- High School Diploma from Mount Ararat High School
- Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of New Hampshire
- Master’s Degree in Pharmacology and Toxicology from the University of Rhode Island, where she collaborated with Dr. Matthew A. Stoner on significant research into hepatocyte metabolism
- Ph.D. in Molecular Medicine from the University of South Florida, including impactful research on zDHHC proteins and their role in high-throughput screening for drug discovery
Throughout her career, Dr. Hamel has displayed exceptional proficiency in various laboratory techniques and methodologies. Her specialties include immortal cell culture lines, primary human cell lines, yeast, and mouse model systems. She is highly skilled in Western blotting, RT-PCR, lenti-viral production and delivery, genotyping, as well as protein production and purification. Additionally, Dr. Hamel has expertise in confocal microscopy, cochlear dissections, auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and the development and implementation of high-throughput screening assays. These skills form a solid platform for her ongoing research endeavors.
Achievements
Dr. Laura Hamel's publication record speaks to her dedication and impact in her field. Her cited works focus on the intersection of biochemistry and pharmacology, underscoring her ability to innovate and apply scientific knowledge to real-world medical issues. Some notable publications include:
- "Fluorescence-based assay to monitor autopalmitoylation of zDHHC proteins" - Analytical Biochemistry, 2014.
- "Identifying novel inhibitors of palmitoylation" - Comb Chem High Throughput Screen, 2016.
- Research on organometallic compounds as chemotherapeutics published in Organometallics and the Journal of Organometallic Chemistry in 2010 and 2013.
- Study on Constitutive Androstane Receptor activation in human hepatocytes - Toxicology Letters, 2010.
Beyond her research endeavors, Dr. Hamel also brings valuable work experience as a former Research Assistant at both the University of South Florida and the University of Rhode Island, as well as her time as a Research Fellow in Germany. She started her career in the sciences as a pharmacy technician, fostering not only her technical skills but also developing important customer service skills that enhance her collaborative approach in research environments.
In conclusion, Dr. Laura Hamel's academic and research journey exemplifies a commitment to pushing the frontiers of pediatric cancer research through innovative drug discovery and advanced cellular modeling techniques. Her trajectory reflects a passion for contributing significantly to the understanding and treatment of pediatric liver cancer, and her continued efforts promise to impart a lasting impact in the field. As she progresses in her career, Laura Hamel stands out as an emergent leader in the intersection of molecular medicine and pediatric pharmacotherapy, poised to inspire the next generation of scientists in this vital area of research.
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Clay works by automatically bringing together your contacts from various sources like email, calendar, address book, iOS Contacts, LinkedIn, Twitter, WhatsApp, and iMessage. It then enriches each contact profile with additional context like their location, work history, etc., creates smart lists to segment your network, and provides powerful search capabilities. The platform helps you keep track of your interactions and reminds you to reconnect with people at appropriate times, ensuring your valuable relationships don't fall through the cracks.
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Yes, Clay offers extensive integration capabilities. Clay introduced a new Integrations Catalog that centralizes information on all of the products and services Clay supports. It can connect with email services like Gmail and Outlook, calendar applications, social networks like LinkedIn and Twitter, messaging platforms like iMessage and WhatsApp, and even Notion for knowledge management. Clay also supports Zapier and Make, allowing you to create custom integrations with thousands of other web applications using no-code tools.
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Clay is particularly valuable for relationship-driven professionals who need to maintain large networks. The app is popular among many industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. Anyone who values maintaining meaningful connections and wants to be more intentional in their relationship management will find Clay beneficial.
Clay offers competitive pricing in the personal CRM market. Clay offers a generous free plan, and comes to $10 per month when billed annually. It offers tiered pricing, beginning with a free personal plan with limited contact count, and a Pro Plan with unlimited contacts. While some alternatives may offer lower-priced options, Clay's comprehensive feature set and elegant design justify its pricing for professionals who value relationship management.
Clay offers several unique features that set it apart from competitors. Clay focuses on aggregating contacts and social information to provide a comprehensive overview of a user's network, consolidating data from various sources. Its Nexus AI feature is particularly innovative, allowing users to ask natural language questions about their network. Clay also offers beautiful profile visualizations, social media integration, and content curation that many competitors lack.
Yes. Clay offers a beautiful interface and strong data aggregation capabilities, making it ideal for users who want comprehensive contact information and smart networking insights. Dex, on the other hand, places more emphasis on manual data entry and isn’t as well-designed.
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