Dr. Jessica M. Pisano
Curriculum Vitae
EDUCATION
May 2000 – Ph.D. Molecular and Cellular Biology
Brandeis University, Waltham, MA - "Developmental Divergence of the Enteric and Sympathetic Nervous Systems"
June, 1992 – B.A. with Honors Biology
University of California Santa Cruz, CA
TEACHING
Fall, 2010 through present – Assistant Professor of Biology and Mathematics
Dean College, Franklin, MA
Developing and teaching applied biology and mathematics courses intended to expose students to the rigors of these disciplines.
Spring and Fall, 2004 – Instructor
Mass Bay Community College, Wellesley, MA
Course: General Biology
A lecture/lab course. As the sole instructor for 30 students, developed syllabus, prepared all lectures, generated and graded problem sets, quizzes and exams. Ran weekly experimental lab sections, including lab reports.
Spring, 2002 – Teaching Fellow
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Course: Introduction to Cell Biology
A lecture/lab course. Prepared weekly reviews lectures, wrote and graded problem sets and quizzes. Ran experiments, graded lab reports.
Fall, 2001 – Teaching Fellow
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Course: Molecular Genetics of Neuronal Development
Material for this course was drawn from primary scientific papers. Prepared review lectures, ran discussions, wrote and graded quizzes and student papers.
Spring, 2001 – Teaching Fellow
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Course: Introduction to Cell Biology Lab
Prepared weekly quizzes, ran cell biology experiments, graded lab reports.
Spring, 1995 – Teaching Assistant
Brandeis University, Waltham, MA
Course: Molecular Biology Lab
Prepared weekly quizzes, ran cell biology experiments, graded lab reports.
Fall, 1994 – Teaching Assistant
Brandeis University, Waltham, MA
Course: Genetics
Worked closely with the professor to develop the textbook for this course. Prepared lectures for weekly review sections.
FREELANCE WRITING ASSIGNMENTS
2008 – Consultant, Conservation International
Independent contracted consultant, working independently to prepare 20-35 page policy briefings on a range of topics. Duties include all research, compiling relevant data and authoring pieces. Briefings included:
- The current state of algae-derived biofuels
- Fisheries in West Africa
- The Impacts of Marine Health on Human Health
- Compilation of Prospective Donors for Global Marine Partnership Fund
2004 – SpectruMedix
As a contractor, worked independently to design promotional materials and software manuals for SpectruMedix, designers of nucleic acid sequencers and sequencing software.
2001 – The Scientist
Working independently as a contractor, authored a number of technology review pieces for The Scientist.
PEER REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS
- Pisano, J.M. and Birren, S.J. (1999) Restriction of developmental potential during divergence of the enteric and sympathetic neuronal lineages. Development 126:2855-2868.
- Lockhart, S.T., Mead, J.M., Pisano, J.M., Slonimsky, J.D. and Birren, S.J. (2000) Nerve growth factor collaborates with myocyte derived factors to promote development of presynaptic sites in cultured sympathetic neurons. J. Neuro. Bio. 42: 460-476.
- Pisano, J.M., Colon, F. and Birren, S.J. (2000) Post-migratory enteric and sympathetic neural precursors share common, developmentally regulated, responses to BMP2. Dev. Bio. 227: 1-11.
- Worley, D.W.*, Pisano, J.M*., Choi, E.D., Walus, L., Hession, C.A., Cate, R.L., Sanicola, M. and Birren, S.J. (2000) Developmental regulation of GDNF response and receptor expression in the enteric nervous system. Development 127: 4383-4393.
INVITED LECTURES
1998 – Symposium Speaker
International Society for Developmental Neuroscience Biennial Meeting. University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC.
Title: Developmental Restriction in the Enteric and Sympathetic Neuronal Lineages
2000 – Commencement Speaker
Brandeis University Commencement. Waltham, MA.
Title: Applying Graduate School to the Real World
RESEARCH
2000-2002 – Post-doctoral Research Fellow
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Supervisor: Dr. John Dowling
Project: A study of retinal ganglion cells: eye transplantation of the zebrafish archie mutant.
1993-2000 – Doctoral Research
Brandeis University, Waltham, MA
Supervisor: Dr. Susan Birren
Thesis: Developmental Divergence of the Enteric and Sympathetic Nervous Systems.
1992-1993 – Research Technician
Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
Supervisor: Dr. Patricia Foster
Research: Directed mutations in E. coli
