Espen J. Walker
1138 Columbia Dr. NE , Albuquerque , NM 87106
(505) 400-8135 ewalker@salud.unm.edu
Espen is a Neuroscience student working in Dr. Gary Rosenberg's lab. He is looking at the effect of cerebral ischemia on the mouse brain white matter. Currently, Espen is studying the role of reactive astrocytes in the release of MMPs and their inhibitors (TIMPs) leading to cellular death or survival. Following undergraduate studies at UCSC, he worked in biotechnology, herbal supplements, and medical device engineering. He is married with two children, enjoys bike riding, hiking, running, and talking about anything neuro-related. He has been BSGSS president, Steering Committee representative, and started the peer mentoring committee, feel free to email him if you have any questions.
EDUCATION:
PhD in Biomedical Science University of New Mexico expected June 2009
Science Teaching Certificate University of New Mexico expected December 2008
Post-Baccalaureate Courses University of California, Santa Barbara 2001; Berkeley 2002-03
EMT-B Certification College of Marin, California 2002
B.A. in Psychobiology with Psychology minor University of California, Santa Cruz 1999
Professional Goals: Investigate mechanisms of brain injury and repair pathways, focusing on inhibition of damage and clinical applications of basic science.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Emergency Medical Technician, Kaiser Hospital Emergency 10/03-7/04
- performed patient care, EKG’s, wounds, splints, triage and registration
MRI Technologist Aide, Kaiser Hospital Radiology 3/04-7/04
- coordinated patient care, scheduling, and scanning
Physical Therapy Aide, Kaiser Hospital Physical Therapy 12/03-7/04
- aided Physical Therapists with patient rehab (motion and ambulation)
Medical Engineering Technologist, Medtronic Neurosurgery 10/00-7/02
- developed and tested neurosurgical medical devices
- managed BioGlide material surface modification department
Product Development, Threshold Enterprises, Ltd. 5/99-12/99
- maintained herbal line of vitamin supplements, material sourcing and manufacturing, sales
- researched scientific journals and clinical trials for product development
Laboratory Technician, Santa Cruz Biotechnology 10/96-3/99 - ran protein assays, blood sera purification, Western and Southern blot analyses
RESEARCH / INTERNSHIPS:
Lab Manager, Dominican University of California 5/03-12/03- directed and managed lab development and student projects
- conducted research project on Arabidopsis T-cell mutations and plant growth
Psychology Lab Research, University of California, Santa Cruz 3/99-7/99
- tracked eye movements for a NASA-sponsored research project
Cognitive Speech Research Coordinator, University of California, Santa Cruz 3/99-7/99
- developed and tested human/computer interface programs
- managed office and participant research
Field Associate I, University of Hawaii, Hilo 6/96-9/96
- studied population biology of endangered Silversword plant on volcanic slopes
Lab Technician/ Field Assistant, University of Nevada, Las Vegas 6/92-9/92
- analyzed nitrogen mineralization and soil pH of desert soils
Special Education Aide, The Listen Foundation 10/97-6/04
- assisted disabled children with daily activities, group outings, and home care
LEADERSHIP/TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
Steering Committee Representative, University of New Mexico 9/07-present
- coordinated student communication with faculty
- facilitated fee waiver for all graduate students
Program Evaluation Ad-Hoc Committee University of New Mexico 9/07-present
- evaluated graduate program size and Steering Committee structure
Brain Research Group Seminar Coordinator, University of New Mexico 1/07-present
- developed and led monthly seminar series
Brain Injury Journal Club Course Instructor, University of New Mexico 9/07-5/08
- created and taught on-line brain injury course
Teaching Assistant - University of New Mexico
- Biomedical Sciences graduate course: Principles of Neurobiology 1/07-5/07
- Medical School: Human, Structure, Function and Development 9/06-12/06
Biomedical Sciences Graduate Student Society President, Univ. of New Mexico 9/05-9/06
- led monthly meetings, trainings, and social activities
- developed aims for future program improvement and development
- founded Peer Mentoring Committee, and active participant in all committees
HONORS/ AWARDS/ MEMBERSHIPS:
COBRE Scholar (NIH-funded grant on Neuroscience Injury and Imaging), UNM 9/04-9/05
Society for Neuroscience, member 9/04-9/08
Office of Graduate Studies Research, Project, and Travel Award 10/07
Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program Travel Award 10/07
PUBLICATIONS:
Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles:
Sood, R., Yang, Y., Taheri, S., Candelario-Jalil, E., Estrada, E. Y., Walker , E. J. , Thompson, J. F., Rosenberg, G. A. (in press). Increased Apparent Diffusion Coefficients on MRI are Associated with Matrix Metalloproteinase-Mediated Vasogenic Edema in White Matter after Bilateral Carotid Artery Occlusion in Rats. Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism.
Walker, E.J. and Rosenberg, G.A. (submitted). TIMP-3 and MMP-3 Contribute to Delayed Hippocampal Death following Global Ischemia. Experimental Neurology.
Yang, Y., Walker, E. J., Thompson, J. F., Candelario-Jalil, E., Estrada, E. Y., Li, L., Reichard, R. R., Khokha, R., Ben, C., Sang, Q.X., Cunningham, L. A., Rosenberg, G. A. (submitted). Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases-3 Facilitates Oligodendrocyte Death in Cerebral Ischemia. Neurobiology of Disease.
Walker, E.J. , Thompson, J.F., Rosenberg, G.A. (in preparation). Oligodendrocyte Injury and Myelin Breakdown by Matrix Metalloproteinases following Global Ischemia.
Abstracts with Poster Presentations:
Walker, E.J., Thompson, J.F., Estrada, E.Y., Rosenberg, G.A. Oligodendrocyte Cell Death following Global Ischemia in the Mouse: a Timescale Investigation (2006). UNM Student Research Day.
Walker, E.J., Thompson, J.F., Rosenberg, G.A. (2007). Global ischemia leads to astrocytosis with delayed oligodendrocyte and hippocampal cell death by a TIMP-3 independent mechanism in the C57BL/6 mouse model of bilateral carotid artery occlusion. UNM Neuroscience Day.
Yang, Y., Walker, E. J., Thompson, J. F., Candelario-Jalil, E., Estrada, E. Y., Li, L., Reichard, R. R., Khokha, R., Ben, C., Sang, Q.X., Cunningham, L. A., Rosenberg, G. A. (2007). Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases-3 (TIMP-3) Facilitates Delayed Oligodendrocyte Death in Focal Cerebral Ischemia in Rodent. Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting.
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Having performed research for two different graduate level psychology labs at the University of California, Santa Cruz, I saw the breadth of scientific research that is possible with curiosity. Working at Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Threshold vitamin supplements and Medtronic Neurosurgery I have learned the nuances of the corporate research sector. I have also managed and developed a research lab at Dominican University. All these experiences have taught me the applicability of research, I strive to continue this productivity.
With my funding as the COBRE scholar (an NIH funded grant designated for research with brain disorders and imaging with Dr. Yoshio Okada at the University of New Mexico), I have had the opportunity to test Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) applications by injecting lentiviral GFP-labeled neural stem cells to migrate and survive within the ischemic brain. The idea of integrating animal studies with human disease has great potential. To experimentally manipulate an animal to simulate a damaged human brain and discover methods to diagnose or repair this damage is very exciting. I have been involved with the Biomedical Research and Integrative Neuroscience (BRAIN) Center as well as the Mind Research Network (MRN) to integrate this interplay of animal and human brain research. The potential for rapid application of experimental research in clinical programs intrigues me.
My current research with Dr. Gary Rosenberg has focused on physiological mechanisms of cell death in ischemia; I now desire to look into the molecular pathways that lead to degeneration and death as a postdoctoral fellow. The damage that occurs to glial cells, oligodendrocytes, and myelin following injury intrigues me. Injury occurring to the white matter following stroke or multiple sclerosis has been of particular interest recently as the white matter has promise for regeneration and repair. My goal is to get a better understanding of the mechanisms of injury and degeneration of the brain so that we may develop drugs to inhibit the injury pathways and reduce the continuing cell death and physiological damage that occurs.
As I look back at the professional and educational paths I have chosen thus far, I see a continuous theme of learning and discovery. I have worked in biotechnology, performed extensive research, and engineered medical devices. I have learned to appreciate the value and applicability of an advanced education. My perseverance, innate leadership, and work ethic will empower me as I embrace my scientific education. I plan to continue investigating the neurodegenerative disorders that plague our society and contribute to the discovery of clinical applications through basic science research.