Non-Exempt Temporary or Casual

Project 1: Evaluation of microbiota transplant therapy in patients with alopecia areata. 20% effort. (Co-I)
Source: Columbia University Foundation transfer of funds to the University of Minnesota Department of Dermatology, donor (philanthropy) supported

Major Goals:

Determine efficacy of microbiota transplant therapy (MTT) is the treatment for patients with alopecia areata. Scalp lesional biopsy before and after MTT will be subjected to single cell RNA sequencing and TCR sequencing to study the effects of MTT in dynamics of T cell clonality within the hair follicle. The spatial landscape of immune cells, hair follicle stem cells, stromal cells, nerve cells, etc. will be determined using spatial transcriptomics.

Duties:

Preparation of single cells from scalp biopsies of patients enrolled in the study (2x biopsies, 2 groups of 20 patients, two biopsies collected before and after intervention for a total of 80 samples). Work with histology core, imaging core, single cell and TCR sequencing core and spatial transcriptomics core to execute the needs of the study. After the sequencing is completed, Dr. Shaik will work with the bioinformatician for data analysis. Data will be presented to the research team and at conferences.

Description of work:
40% effort: Lab work that includes processing of biopsy tissue sample to isolate single cells, fixing the tissue, immunofluorescence (IF) staining and imaging.
30% effort: Analyzing single cell RNA and TCR sequencing data using R or python platform in collaboration with bioinformatician, analyzing IF data, statistical analysis, data interpretation.
20% effort: Collaborating with interdisciplinary team members such as clinicians, researchers, study coordinators, bioinformatician at Minnesota Supercomputing Institute, histology core, University Imaging Center, University of Minnesota Genomics Core single cell RNA and TCR sequencing team.
10% effort: Writing grants, study protocols, reports, publications and presenting data to research team, collaborators and at major conferences.

Project 2: Evaluation of platelet rich plasma in the treatment of central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia. 5% effort. (PI)
Source: Start-up funds from Dr. Oyetewa Asempa, Department of Dermatology, Baylor University.

Major Goals:
The goal of the study is to compare the efficacy of PRP injections with placebo for the treatment of mild to moderate Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia (CCCA) in women of African descent. The role of platelet-derived growth factors in therapeutic response of PRP will be evaluated.

Duties:
Quantification of 360 clinical samples for approximately 15 growth factors, cytokines and chemokines. Dr. Shaik will work with the cytokine reference laboratory to coordinate completion of the sample analysis. Data will be analyzed and presented to the research team and at conferences.

Description of work:
20% effort: Lab work involving receipt and storage of platelet rich plasma, platelet poor plasma and activated platelet rich plasma samples, aliquot them as needed, store them in the -80C freezer and catalog their location in the freezer.
50% effort: Analyzing the data of approximately 360 clinical samples with up to 15 growth factors, cytokines and chemokines being measured at the cytokine reference laboratory.
20% effort: Collaborating with interdisciplinary team members such as clinicians (PI and Co-I) and the cytokine reference laboratory in developing assays, scheduling the assays and receipt of
data.
10% effort: Writing grants, study protocols, reports, publications and presenting data to research team, collaborators and at major conferences.

Project 3: Role of platelet secreted growth factors and exosomes in response to platelet rich plasma therapy for alopecia. 35% effort. (PI)
Source: RW Goltz Professorship Dr. Hordinsky and Dr. Wilcox (50/50), 15% clinical research fixed price account.

Major Goals:
Elucidate roles of major growth factors secreted by platelets as well as exosomes in clinical response to alopecia following platelet rich plasma therapy. The main goal is to identify growth
factors that correlate positively or negatively with clinical response. The goal also includes characterizing exosomes in PRP and their role in therapeutic response.

Duties:
Collect samples from clinic, process and aliquot in the lab, work with cytokine reference laboratory to quantify approximately 15 growth factors, cytokines, chemokines in the samples. Exosomes in the samples will be quantified and characterized based on tetraspanin expression. Patient clinical response will be prospectively tracked and the growth factor and exosome data will be compared using machine learning algorithms to identify growth factors and exosome numbers that correlate positively or negatively with clinical response. Data will be analyzed and presented at meetings and conferences. Strategies will be analyzed to develop a novel device to concentrate exosomes and to remove inhibitory growth factors.

Description of work:
40% effort: Lab work involving receipt of platelet rich plasma, platelet poor plasma and activated platelet rich plasma samples from the clinic, process the samples including activation of platelets, aliquot them, store them in the -80C freezer and catalog their location in the freezer. Perform exosome characterization on these clinical samples.
20% effort: Analyzing the data of clinical samples with up to 15 growth factors, cytokines and chemokines being measured at the cytokine reference laboratory, exosome characterization data
analysis.
10% effort: Collaborating with interdisciplinary team members such as clinicians and the cytokine reference laboratory in developing assays, scheduling the assays and receipt of data, mentoring students and dermatology research fellows, on the project.
30% effort: Writing grants, study protocols, reports, publications and presenting data to research team, collaborators and at major conferences.

• Applicant should have excellent organizational skills, telephone and customer service skills.
• Must be able to work well independently and with a team.
• Demonstrated effective communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to self-start and prioritize tasks.
• Organized and detail-oriented.
• Responsible and dependable.
• Able to work well with a supervisor as well as alone.
• Proficiency in working with databases.
• One year previous experience working in research.
• Ability to learn quickly, solve problems efficiently, careful, resourceful and self-sufficient.

The Department of Dermatology is committed to providing excellent patient care, conducting investigational research and training the next generation of dermatologist. We have world-renowned clinical programs, nationally recognized educational program, and pioneering clinical trials. We are dedicated to improving dermatological care not only for today, but for the future.

The Clinical Research Division in the Department of Dermatology conducts ongoing studies of novel therapeutic agents. Established to explore new drugs, devices and therapies, the Clinical Research Division is dedicated to pioneering innovative breakthroughs in the field of dermatology. Join our team and be a part of these new discoveries!

For more information please visit our website at http://www.dermatology.umn.edu/.

Pay Rate: $41.00 per hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience.

Retirement plan options are available for Civil Service, Faculty, Labor-Represented, Professional & Administrative, and Temp Casual classifications. Learn more about retirement plans.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

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