Education
2023
Ph.D. Microbiology and Immunology
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, British Columbia
Dissertation: Enterovirus Infection Disrupts Homeostasis in the Gut-Pancreas Axis to Promote Type 1 Diabetes Onset
2015
M.Sc. Cell & Molecular Biology
Youngstown State University
Youngstown, Ohio
Thesis: Development of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy to Improve Wound Healing
2012
B.Sc. Biology
Youngstown State University
Youngstown, Ohio
Curriculum focus in Cell and Molecular Biology
2012
B.A. Chemistry
Youngstown State University
Youngstown, Ohio
Curriculum focus in Biochemistry
Technical Skills
Flow cytometry
(Conventional & spectral, multiparametric panel design, intracellular/extracellular, cell stimulation & cytokine staining, FACS)
In vivo rodent disease models
(Handling, restraint, injections, surgery, anesthesia, sample collection, gavage, monitoring, experimental & ethical design)
Immunoassays
(e.g., ELISA, ELISPOT)
RNA/DNA isolation and analysis
(e.g., qPCR, purification & quantification, cDNA synthesis, gel electrophoresis)
Mammalian cell culture
(Established continuous cell lines and primary ex vivo culture)
In vitro immune cell-based assays
(e.g., activation, proliferation)
Tissue histology & pathology
(Fixation, sectioning, staining, imaging, imageJ & CellProfiler analysis)
Virus propagation and infection
(plaque assays, rodent infection, experience in BSL-2+ facilities and workflow)
Data and statistical analysis
(e.g., FlowJo, Graphpad, Excel)
Ex vivo sample processing and preparation
Confocal Microscopy
(Immunoflourescence and immunohistochemistry staining, image processing and analysis)
Hybridoma technology
(Immunization, B cell culture, cell fusion, cell screening and cloning, epitope validation)
Professional Skills
Public speaking
Leadership & teamwork
Professional & academic writing
Data visualization and statistics
Science communication
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
Research project management
Time management
Research & Project Management Experience
2024 - Present
University of British Columbia
Supervisor: Dr. Marc Horwitz
Vancouver, British Columbia
Postdoctoral Researcher
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Exploring metabolite-based interventions to alter immune pathology for the promotion or inhibition of autoimmune disease induction.
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Curating industry partnerships to investigate specific therapeutic validation and disease modelling.
2015 - 2024
University of British Columbia
Supervisor: Dr. Marc Horwitz
Vancouver, British Columbia
Graduate Research Assistant
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Investigated how virus infections alter the immune system and gut microbiome to contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases (i.e., type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis)
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Developed and applied immune-based technologies including flow cytometry and immunoassays to determine pathways whereby coxsackievirus B4 infection causes dysbiosis and promotes inflammatory T cell pathology in the pancreas to initiate type 1 diabetes development in a NOD mouse model.
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Crafted high-quality research publications for peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences
2013 - 2015
Youngstown State University
Supervisor: Dr. Diana Fagan
Youngstown, Ohio
Graduate Research Assistant
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Managed a collaborative project with physicians at St. Elizabeth Health Center researching the use of mesenchymal stem/stromal cell-based therapy to prevent surgical hernias.
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Isolated and cultured primary stem cells from bone marrow and performed rodent surgery to produce viable treatments that facilitate tissue regeneration.
2011 - 2012
Youngstown State University
Supervisor: Dr. Nina Stourman
Youngstown, Ohio
Undergraduate Research Assistant
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Investigated potential roles for bacterial proteins as physiologic antioxidant molecules for cell survival with environmental stress through the use of:
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Protein synthesis, purification by chromatography, HPLC analysis, plasmid transformation & gel electrophoresis
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Leadership, Supervision, & Teaching
Passionate about fostering safe, collaborative, and stimulating learning environments, I believe in elevating the unique strengths of my peers and celebrating diverse worldviews and learning/working styles. In recognition of my contributions to a positive learning culture at UBC, I was awarded the Killam Graduate Teaching Award in 2021.
2016 - 2021
Department of Microbiology & Immunology
Course: Molecular Virology (MICB 306)
UBC
Vancouver, British Columbia
Teaching Assistant
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Designed & facilitated weekly tutorial sessions three times a week for 75 - 120 students
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Provided constructive feedback to support learning through assignments & group activities
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Assisted and participated in lecture lessons
2017 - 2021
TA Training Program (TATP)
Life Sciences Institute (UBC)
Vancouver, British Columbia
Lead Course Developer & Facilitator
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Responded to a lack of training for graduate teaching assistants in life sciences by developing a curriculum for and facilitating a series of experiential train-the-trainers workshops
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Prepared graduate students for excellence in teaching, which resulted in better learning experiences for undergraduate students and improved relationships between instructors and teaching assistants
2018 - 2020
Microbiology & Immunology Graduate Student Society (MIGSS)
UBC
Vancouver, British Columbia
President
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Leveraged my leadership role to improve professional/mentorship opportunities and community-building activities for graduate students, which resulted in improved student experiences and interdisciplinary collaborations
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I also served in MIGSS as: Mentorship Coordinator (2017-2018), Media Communications Officer (2017-2018), Social Coordinator (2016-2017).
2018-2019
Honours Directed Studies Student Project
Microbiology and Immunology Dept. (UBC)
Vancouver, British Columbia
Supervisor
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Supervised a fourth-year undergraduate student and ensured her successful completion of a directed studies course by designing the project and creating/facilitating experimental protocols
2016 - 2019
M&I Day of Immunology (DOI)
Annual UBC M&I Event
Vancouver, British Columbia
Developer and Facilitator
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Developed content for aspiring scientists (Grades 6 -12) and led them through fun activities in the lab to demonstrate the importance of immunology/vaccines and inspire interest in science education.
2017
Life Sciences Institute Graduate Student Society (LSI-GSA)
Life Sciences Institute (LSI), UBC
Vancouver, British Columbia
Acting President
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Used my role to plan and host professional academic and social events (e.g., conferences, seminars, networking events) to elevate and celebrate student work within the department to contribute to a thriving research culture
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I also served within the LSI-GSA as VP of Social Outreach and Communications (2016 - 2017) and as an Executive Member (2015 - 2016).
2014 - 2015
Department of Biological Sciences
Courses:
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Anatomy & Physiology Lab 1
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Anatomy & Physiology Lab 2
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Vertebrate Structure & Ecology Lab
YSU
Youngstown, Ohio
Teaching Assistant
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Prepared weekly experimental materials & demonstrations for and facilitated 2 or 3-hour hands-on laboratories for 20 - 35 undergraduate students
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Provided in-depth and instructive feedback on lab work to support students in developing confidence and trustworthy lab skills.
Awards & Achievements
2021
Killam Graduate Teaching Award
Awarded by the University of British Columbia for
excellence in teaching and contributions to promoting community learning
2015 - 2019
Four Year Fellowship
Awarded by the University of British Columbia
2019
UBC President's Student Leader Nominee
Awarded by the University of British Columbia for
recognition of exceptional student leadership and
contributions to UBC community
2019
Keystone Symposium Scholarship
Awarded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases/ National Centre for Advancing Translational Sciences
2019
Mary Day Travel Award
Awarded by UBC M&I Department
2008 - 2012
YSU Dean's List
Awarded by the Youngstown State University
2008 - 2012
Red and White Scholarship
Awarded by the Youngstown State University for academic achievement
2008
Valley Electric Scholarship
Awarded by Valley Electric Consolidated
Publications
Morse ZJ, Simister RL, Crowe SA, Horwitz MS, Osborne LC. Virus induced dysbiosis promotes type 1 diabetes onset. Front Immunol. 2023 Jan 19;14:1096323.
Here, we demonstrate that Coxsackievirus B4 (CVB4), an enterovirus that accelerates T1D onset in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice, induced restructuring of the intestinal microbiome prior to T1D onset. Read more.
Allanach JR, Fettig NM, Hardman BK, Fan V, Rosen AR, Goldberg EJ, Morse ZJ, Shanina I, Vorobeychik G, Osborne LC, Horwitz MS. Epstein-Barr virus promotes T cell dysregulation in a humanized mouse model of multiple sclerosis
bioRxiv 2022.02.23.481716.
In a novel humanized mouse model of multiple sclerosis (MS), donor history of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection exacerbates disease severity by skewing the balance of effector and regulatory T cells in the brain and spinal cord. These results reveal an immunomodulatory mechanism by which latent EBV infection could predispose to the development of autoimmune disease. Read more.
Mouat IC, Morse ZJ, Shanina I, Brown KL, Horwitz MS. Latent gammaherpesvirus exacerbates arthritis through modification of age-associated B cells. Elife. 2021 Jun 3;10:e67024.
Herein, we have examined the contribution of viral infection to the severity of arthritis in mice. We have provided the first evidence that latent gammaherpesvirus infection enhances clinical arthritis, modeling EBV's role in RA. Read more.
Morse ZJ, Horwitz MS. Virus Infection Is an Instigator of Intestinal Dysbiosis Leading to Type 1 Diabetes. Front Immunol. 2021;12:4312.
Evidence suggests recent-onset T1D patients experience pre-existing subclinical enteropathy and dysbiosis leading up to development of diabetes. Read more.
Morse ZJ and Horwitz MS. Innate Viral Receptor Signaling Determines Type 1 Diabetes Onset. 2017; 8:249. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2017.00249
Infection by the enterovirus, coxsackievirus B, has been closely associated with onset of T1D and is considered a significant etiological agent for disease induction. Read more.
Mouat IC†, Morse ZJ†, Jean Baptiste VSE, Allanach JR, Horwitz MS. Fresh Ideas, Foundational Experiments (FIFE): Immunology and Diabetes 2016 FIFE Symposium. Frontiers in Endocrinology (2017); 8: doi:10.3389/fendo.2017.00238
The authors provide perspective on various fields in T1D research highlighted by speakers participating in the inaugural FIFE symposium. Read more.
Morse ZJ. Dose Response Analysis of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Treatment in Fascial Wound Repair. Electronic Thesis or Dissertation. Youngstown State University, 2015. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. https://etd.ohiolink.edu/
The use of biological products such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has become an incredibly promising and advantageous product in modern regenerative therapeutics. This study aims to provide a cell-based therapy for the treatment of surgical wounds and enhance healing. Read more.
Morse ZJ, Ballester A, Sui L, Stourman NV. Glutathionylspermidine Conjugate as a Potential Protective Agent of DNA Damage Caused by Oxidative Stress and UV Exposure. Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (SciKnow Publications) (2013); 1(3): 52-57.
Presentations
"Virus Infection Causes Intestinal Dysbiosis to Promote Type 1 Diabetes Development" (Oral + Poster Presentation)
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Federation of Clinical Immunology Societies (FOCIS) Annual Conference
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Boston Massachusetts (June 2023)
"Virus Infection Disrupts Gut Homeostasis to Alter Type 1 Diabetes Susceptibility" (Oral)
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Microbiology and Immunology Seminar, UBC
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Vancouver BC (March 2022)
"Virus-Mediated Dysbiosis Alters Immune Populations to Promote Type 1 Diabetes Onset" (Poster)
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Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) nPOD Conference
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Virtual (January 2021)
"Fundamentals of Vaccines & Viruses: How these principals enlighten the current landscape of the SARS-CoV2 pandemic" (Oral)
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Invited Guest Lecture, Emily Carr University
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Vancouver BC (October 2020)
"Virus-Mediated Dysbiosis Alters Immune Homeostasis and Promotes Type 1 Diabetes Onset" (Poster)
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Keystone Symposia “Microbiome: Therapeutic Implications”
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Killarney, Ireland (October 2019)
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Recipient of a NIAID/NCATS (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases/National Centre for Advancing Translational Sciences) scholarship as part of this conference.
"Coxsackievirus B Infection Induces Gut Dysbiosis and Promotes Type 1 Diabetes Onset" (Oral)
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G3S Graduate Student Seminar Series (UBC)
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Vancouver BC (March 2019)
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Runner-up: Audience Award for Best Presentation
“Sensing by MDA5 and TLR3 Protects or Promotes Development of Type 1 Diabetes” (Poster)
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Diabetes Research Day (UBC)
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Vancouver BC (November 2016)
“Development of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy to Improve Fascial Wound Healing” (Oral)
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YSU Biological Sciences Seminar
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Youngstown Ohio (March 2015)
“Development of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy to Improve Fascial Wound Healing” (Poster)
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QUEST: A University Forum for Student Research
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Youngstown Ohio (April 2015)
“Glutathionylspermidine Conjugate as a Potential Protective Agent
of DNA Damage Caused by Oxidative Stress and UV Exposure” (Poster)
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QUEST: A University Forum for Student Research
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Youngstown Ohio (April 2012)
“Glutathionylspermidine Conjugate as a Potential Protective Agent of DNA Damage Caused by Oxidative Stress and UV Exposure” (Poster)
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American Chemical Society Annual POBS Banquet (April 2012)