Education
Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Cambridge, MA
Ph.D. Candidate in Molecular and Systems Toxicology (GPA 4.9/5.0), advised by Prof. Peter C. Dedon [Expected 2013]
Doctoral Thesis: The Role of Unique tRNA Structures in the Survival Responses of Human Pathogens
University of Mississippi - Oxford, MS
B.S. in Chemistry, Magna Cum Laude (GPA 3.89/4.0), Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College [2008]
Major Thesis: Nanostructure Synthesis and Properties of Simple Organic and Organometallic Compounds
Honors Thesis: The Link Between DNA Lesion Formation and Cytotoxicity in Human HCT116 Cells Exposed to Toxic Levels of Nitric Oxide
Brookhaven High School, Valedictorian (1st out of 171) - Brookhaven, MS [2004]
Honors & Awards
- National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship [2009]
- Eni-MIT Energy Fellowship (full funding for one year) [2008]
- Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship [2007]
- Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society [2007]
- Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges [2007]
- Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society [2006]
- National Society of Collegiate Scholars [2006]
- United States Achievement Academy National Collegiate Physical Science Award [2005]
- UM Carrier Foundation Scholarship (full funding for four years; two recipients annually) [2004]
- Eagle Scout, Boy Scout Troop 911 - Brookhaven, MS [2003]
Laboratory Experience
MIT Doctoral Thesis Research with Prof. Peter C. Dedon [2009-Present]
Developing and utilizing ultrasensitive LC-MS/MS methods to identify and quantify unique tRNA structures in pathogenic species of Helicobacter and Mycobacteria; identifying novel biomarkers of infection and therapeutic targets.
UM Chemistry Thesis Research with Prof. T. Keith Hollis [2007-2008]
Attempted synthesis and characterization of nanostructures (rods and tubes) formed by template wetting technique with simple, non-polymeric, organic and organometallic compounds.
MIT Summer NSF REU Research with Prof. Peter C. Dedon [2006]
Troubleshot a novel gas-delivery chemostat for cell culture; studied mechanisms of cytotoxicity and DNA adduct formation in human HCT116 cells exposed to physiological levels of nitric oxide.
UM Independent Research with Prof. Daniell L. Mattern [2005-2006]
Completed partial synthesis of a perylenetetracarboxylic bisimide donor-sigma-acceptor molecule.
Laboratory Techniques
- Organic synthesis,
- cell culture,
- DNA/RNA extraction,
- protein purification,
- SDS-PAGE,
- immunoblotting,
- mass spectrometry (QQQ, QTOF),
- spectroscopy (ICP-OES, NMR),
- and chromatography (affinity, GC, LC, HPLC).
Posters & Presentations
Brandon S. Russell, Kok-Seong Lim, Clement Chan, and Peter C. Dedon. Defining the Role of RNA Secondary Modifications in the Response of Microbial Pathogens to Chemical Mediators of Inflammation. American Chemical Society 240th National Meeting. Boston, MA. 2010.
Brandon S. Russell and Peter C. Dedon. Investigation of Novel RNA Species in Human Pathogens. MIT Department of Biological Engineering Annual Retreat. Newport, RI. 2010.
Brandon S. Russell and T. Keith Hollis. Nanostructure Synthesis and Properties of Simple Organic and Organometallic Compounds. UM Sigma Xi Poster Symposium. Oxford, MS. 2008.
Brandon S. Russell, C. Eric Elmquist, Laura J. Trudel, and Peter C. Dedon. The Relationship Between DNA Adduct Formation and Cytotoxicity in Human HCT116 Cells Exposed to Toxic Levels of Nitric Oxide. Biomedical Engineering Society Fall Conference. Chicago, IL. 2006.
Teaching Experience
MIT Teaching Assistant for Analysis of Biological Networks [Spring 2010]
Wrote and graded problem sets and exams for 25 students; wrote and presented single-topic mini-lectures; led one-hour review sessions.
UM Teaching Assistant for Organic Chemistry I & II [2006-2007]
Led weekly review sessions and administered graded quizzes to two groups of 20 students; led three- to four-hour exam review sessions for groups of 60+ students.
UM Teaching Assistant for General Chemistry Laboratory I [Fall 2006]
Worked in groups to prepare equipment and reagents for 500+ students on a weekly schedule; individually supervised and instructed 20 students in a variety of laboratory techniques.
Volunteer Activities
MIT Emergency Medical Services [2009-Present]
Director of Ambulance Operations [2010-2011]
Oversee daily operation of campus ambulance: scheduled and emergency maintenance; equipment stocking and ordering; quality assurance and discipline for 60+ student volunteers.
Volunteered 700+ hours as an emergency medical technician (NREMT-B) for campus ambulance service.
MIT Graduate Student Council Activities Committee Co-Chair [2009-2010]
Organized monthly social events for hundreds of people; managed and disbursed a $66,000 budget.
MIT Biological Engineering Department Graduate Student Board [2008-2010]
Social Co-Chair [2009-2010]
Organized monthly social events for groups of 50+ students.
First Year Representative [2008-2009]
Organized social activities for 40 students during department's interview weekend.
UM Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society [2004-2008]
President [2006-2007]
Conducted bimonthly meetings; designed and coordinated all activities with officers and faculty.
Vice-President [2005-2006]
Organized field trips and community outreach programs for small groups of 15+ students.
Academic Societies
- American Society for Mass Spectrometry [2010-Present]
- American Society for Microbiology [2010-Present]
- American Chemical Society [2004-Present]