Ebany J. Martinez

Contact Information:
Email: ejmartinez@salud.unm.edu

Education:

PhD Student University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
Biomedical Sciences Degree expected May 2009

2005, B.S., Biology University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
Summa Cum Laude

2005, B.S., Spanish University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
Magna Cum Laude

2001, HS Diploma Robertson High School, Las Vegas, NM
Cardinal Scholar

Honors/Awards:
2007, October $300 Graduate Student Travel Award, Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of New Mexico
2007, March $500 Graduate Student Travel Award, Society of Toxicology
2007, February 3rd Place Oral Presentation Biomedical Sciences Student Research Day, University of New Mexico School of Medicine
2005, August Pfizer Safety Scholars Graduate Fellowship, University of New Mexico School of Medicine Graduate Program.
2005, May University Honors Program Graduate, Magna Cum Laude, University of New Mexico.
2005, May Best Undergraduate Poster-First Place Award, Biology Research Day, UNM.
2004, November $250 Poster Award, University of New Mexico Research and Creativity Symposium
2004, May Phi Beta Kappa, University of New Mexico Chapter
2004, March National Institutes of Mental Health Career Opportunities in Research Fellowship (NIMH-COR T34 MH 19101), University of New Mexico
2004, March Minority Undergraduate Student Award, Society of Toxicology
2003, December Golden Key International Honour Society, Vice-president, UNM Chapter
2003, January Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grant, Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society
2002, December Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society, University of New Mexico Chapter
2001, August Regents Scholarship, University of New Mexico.

Research Experience
September 2006-present UNM Neurosciences/Toxicology Lab Albuquerque, NM
Graduate Student
Project focuses on the epigenetic changes that are associated with moderate arsenic exposure throughout gestation. Techniques currently used include western blot and immunoprecipitation.
Supervisors: Andrea Allan, PhD (Neurosciences) and Jim Liu, PhD (Toxicology)
June 2006-August 2006 Pfizer Inc. Ann Arbor, MI
Intern
Techniques employed included animal behavioral analysis of neurotoxicity.
Supervisor: Michael Bleavins, PhD, DABT and Tiffini K. Brabham, DVM, PhD, DABT., Pfizer Inc
October 2002-May 2006 UNM Neurosciences Laboratory Albuquerque, NM
Student Research Assistant
Techniques employed included binding assays, western blots, sectioning, mounting, developing and analyzing of brain tissue. Used a mouse model as a mechanism to study the neurochemical changes in brains of offspring of mothers who consumed moderate amounts of arsenic and ethanol in their drinking water while they were pregnant. Research supported by the National Institutes of Mental Health COR program.
Supervisor: Daniel Savage, PhD., UNM SOM Neurosciences
May 2002-Aug. 2003 Epidemiology and Cancer Control Albuquerque, NM
Student Research Assistant
Worked on the ‘Cervical Health Histories’ study, a CDC funded research study that examined screening, diagnostic and treatment histories of women diagnosed with cervical cancer in New Mexico. Primary aims: to identify screening and treatment system weaknesses in NM. Collaborative project with the New Mexico Department of Health Breast and Cervical Cancer Detection and Control Program (B&CC) Program.
Supervisor: Jan Gaylord-Vanslyke, PhD., Research Scientist Epidemiology and CC
June/July 2003 New Mexico Department of Health Santa Fe, NM
Intern
Summer fellowship appointed by Governor Bill Richardson through the New Mexico Fellows Program. Full-time summer position. Compiled a full report of contracts held between the Department of Health and different agencies and contractors throughout New Mexico. Contracts analyzed included JPA’s, MOU/MOA and PSC’s. Attended various conventions and town-hall meetings concerning public health issues in New Mexico.
Supervisor: Patricia Montoya, Secretary NM Department of Health
June 2000-July 2001 New Mexico Highlands Biology Lab Las Vegas, NM
Student Research Assistant
Two full-time summer positions. Planned and designed a research project that dealt with plant plasmids at NMHU. Performed PCR/RTPCR techniques as well as DNA and RNA isolation through a project sponsored by the National Institutes of Health Bridges Summer Research Program. Presented research poster at SACNAS National Conference in September of 2001. Presented a PowerPoint presentation at the Bridges meeting in Albuquerque in August of 2001.
Supervisor: Mary Shaw, PhD NMHU Biology Department

Professional Memberships:
Society of Toxicology, Graduate student member
Mountain West Society of Toxicology, Graduate Student Member and Graduate Student Representative 2007-08

Institutional/Academic Service:
Biomedical Sciences Graduate Student Society, President, 2006-2007
Reader, Graduate Research and Development Grant, University of New Mexico, Feb. 2007

Grants Received:
Martinez, EJ. (2007) Arsenic in New Mexico: Identifying the Mechanism of Arsenic Induced Damage. Graduate and Professional Student Association-Graduate Research and Development Grant. University of New Mexico. Amount granted: $3,000.00

Teaching Experience
Teaching Assistant, Pharmaceutical Care Skill Lab II, UNM College of Pharmacy, Pharmacy 704, Spring 2007

Publications:
In preparation:
Martinez, E.J., Bethany L. Kolb, Angela Bell, D.D. Savage, and A.M. Allan. Moderate Perinatal Arsenic Exposure Increases Learned Helplessness and Alters Markers for Corticotropin Releasing Factor- and Serotonin-Mediated Neurotransmission in Hippocampal Formation of Adult Mouse Offspring. (Manuscript submitted)
Acknowledged in:
Galindo, R., S. Frausto, C. Wolff, K.K. Caldwell, N.I. Perrone-Bizzozero, and D.D. Savage. 2004. Prenatal Ethanol Exposure Reduces mGluR5 Receptor Number and Function in the Dentate Gyrus of Adult Offspring. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research. 28.29:1587-1597.

Presentations:
Oral
*Martinez, E.J., G. Gagnon, L. Grantham, and T.K. Brabham (2007): Safety Pharmacology: Automated Assessments of Neuromuscular Deficits Using Acrylamide in Sprague-Dawley Rats. Student Research Day, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM

*Martinez, E.J., G. Gagnon, L. Grantham, and T.K. Brabham (2006): Safety Pharmacology: Automated Assessments of Neuromuscular Deficits Using Acrylamide in Sprague-Dawley Rats. Mountain West Society of Toxicology Regional Conference, Phoenix, AZ

*Martinez, E.J., C. Wolff, D.D. Savage, and A.M. Allan (2005): Moderate Perinatal Arsenic Exposure Elevates Markers of Serotonergic Neurotransmission in Dorsal Hippocampal Formation of Adult Mice. National Institutes of Mental Health Career Opportunities in Research (NIMH COR) Symposium, Atlanta, Georgia.

Poster
*Martinez, E.J., J. Liu, and A.M. Allan (2008): Moderate Perinatal Arsenic has Long-term Affects on Learning and Memory Behavior and ERK Phosphorylation. Society of Toxicology Conference, Seattle, WA

*Martinez, E.J., M.C. Battersby and A.M. Allan (2007): Moderate Perinatal Arsenic Perturbs the HPA Axis and has Long-term Affects on Learning and Memory Behavior. Neurotoxicology Conference, San Antonio, TX

*Martinez, E.J., G. Gagnon, L. Grantham, and T.K. Brabham (2007): Assessments of Neuromuscular Deficits using Acrylamide in Sprague-Dawley Rats. Society of Toxicology Conference, Charlotte, NC

*Martinez, E.J., G. Gagnon, L. Grantham, and T.K. Brabham (2006): Assessments of Neuromuscular Deficits using Acrylamide in Sprague-Dawley Rats. Pfizer Intern Day, Ann Arbor, MI

*Savage, D.D., E.J. Martinez and C.R. Wolff (2006): Prenatal ethanol exposure reduces mGluR5 receptor density in affected offspring. Society for Neuroscience Conference, Atlanta, GA

*Martinez, E.J., D.D. Savage and A.M. Allan (2006): Moderate Perinatal Arsenic Exposure Elevates Markers of Serotonergic Neurotransmission in Dorsal Hippocampal Formation of Adult Mice. Society of Toxicology Conference, San Diego, CA

*Martinez, E.J., A.M. Allan and D. D. Savage (2004): Moderate Perinatal Arsenic Exposure Elevates Markers of Serotonergic Neurotransmission in Forebrain of Adult Mice. National Institutes of Mental Health Career Opportunities in Research (NIMH COR) Symposium, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

*Aragon, A., E.J. Martinez, J. Sanderson, S. Frausto, C. Wolff and D.D. Savage (2004): Effects of Prenatal Ethanol Exposure on G-Protein Coupled Receptor Function. National Institutes of Mental Health Career Opportunities in Research (NIMH COR) Symposium, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

* Presenter

Volunteer Work:
May 2007-Oct 2007 Leukemia and Lymphoma Society: Team in Training Albuquerque, NM
Nike Women’s Half Marathon Participant
Raised money (via donations) for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Training to run the Nike Women’s Half Marathon in San Francisco, California in October 2007.
January 2007-present UNM Young Alumni Association Albuquerque, NM
Advisory Committee
Work with staff at UNM Alumni relations to coordinate useful seminars and activities for young alumni.
March 2007 Central NM Science & Engineering Research Challenge Albuquerque, NM
Special Award Judge
Judged junior high and high school student posters for the Neuroscience Award.
January 2007 Our Lady of Fatima Elementary School Albuquerque, NM
Judge
Judged elementary school science fair projects.

December 2006 Rio Rancho High School Rio Rancho, NM
Judge
Judged high school science fair projects.
September 2001-May 2004 Big Brothers/Big Sisters of NM Albuquerque, NM
VIDA Tutor
Mentored and tutored an elementary school child once a week through the school-based program of BB/BS of New Mexico.

Training/Special Skills:
- Brain Sectioning using Cryostat
- Behavioral Analysis
- Immunohistochemistry
- Binding Assays
- Western Blots
- Radiation Safety Certification
- Animal Handling and Safety Certification

Languages Spoken:

Spanish, proficient