Profile
I am a currently a graduate student at Virginia Tech, pursuing my doctorate in genetics, bioinformatics, and computational biology. Among my interests is the integration and visualization of scientific data, for the purpose of exploration and hypothesis generation. Prior to graduate school I worked as an independent science media producer and consultant, where I specialized in creating and distributing digital resources for 3D molecular visualization and modeling. These resources have had wide applicability across the life science and biotech venues, particular the educational arena. I have worked in close cooperation with partners in education (Harvard College, Ursinus College, University of Massachusetts) and industry (WH Freeman, Garland Science, 3D Molecular Designs) to bring these resources to the widest possible audiences. I brought to bear a range of technologies including 3D visualization software (Jmol, RasMol, Chime), physical production methods like rapid prototyping, Web technologies like Perl, PHP, and Javascript, database resources, and more. I also have over ten years of traditional biology laboratory experience and training.
Education
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 2005-current
Program in Genetics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology.
Candidate for Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 1996-1999
Program in Molecular and Cell Biology.
Awarded Master of Science (M.S.)
University of Delaware, College of Marine Studies, Lewes, DE 1991-1994
Department of Marine Biology and Biochemistry.
Awarded Master of Science (M.S.)
Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA 1986-1991
Department of Biology (English minor).
Awarded Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
PROFESSIONAL Experience
Scientific Multimedia Producer (self-employed) 1998-2005
Designed, developed, and produced Web- and CD-based multimedia resources to support over a dozen life science textbooks. I specialized in developing interactive animations that feature three-dimensional macromolecular structures, using Web-based software such as Jmol and Chime. This required a thorough and current knowledge of biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, structural biology, and chemistry, and involved programming in html, javascript, php, perl, python, MySQL, CSL variants, and more. A selection of my products can be found accompanying: Averill & Eldredge Chemistry: Principles, Patterns, and Applications; Alberts' Molecular Biology of the Cell and Essential Cell Biology; multiple editions of Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry; multiple editions of Stryer's Biochemistry; Campbell's Biology; and Vollhardt and Schore's Organic Chemistry. My client list included Garland Science, WH Freeman, Wadsworth Publishing, Worth Publishers, and Benjamin Cummings. In addition to mainstream science publishing houses, I also provided contract work for the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Harvard University, Ursinus College, and other educational institutions. See Selected Resources On the Web below for a few examples.
Scientific Consultant (self-employed) 1998-2005
Provided scientific and technical advice on various projects related to digital resources in scientific education.
A selection of my consulting projects includes: Jmol, an open-source software package for molecular visualization; Interactive DNA for Biochemistry, 4th Ed. (Stryer, et al. - WH Freeman Publishing); General biology and science multimedia asset review for Biology, 6th Ed. (Solomon, et al. - Brooks Cole Science Publishing); Visual Resources review for BioMolecules Alive, the peer-reviewed library of digital resources for the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
Molecular Graphics Software Developer, 3D Molecular Designs, Milwaukee, WI 2004-2005
Developed a Web-based software suite (CADI-Mol) for researchers to design physical models of molecules online. Required proficiency in CSL (Jmol), database design and administration, server administration, user interface design, various Web-compatible scripting languages (Perl, javascript, php, python, CSS, HTML, SQL). Also required project management skills, task prioritization, troubleshooting, and related skills.
Physical Molecular Model Designer, 3D Molecular Designs, Milwaukee, WI 2003-2005
Used computer-based 3D modeling and CAD software to design accurate scale physical models of molecules and molecular complexes. Required proficiency in CSL (RasMol, Jmol, Chime, VMD); familiarity with CAD software (Magics RP), and Rapid Prototyping technologies; knowledge of structural biology and biochemistry.
Research Technician and Laboratory Support Specialist, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 1995-1996
Studied the role of integrins in cell adhesion. Used laboratory techniques including mammalian cell culture, transfection, and screening; immunofluorescence and IF microscopy; molecular cloning and sequencing; PCR; construction and cloning of deletion mutations; yeast two-hybrid system.
Research Support Specialist, Marine Science Research Center, SUNY Stony Brook, NY 1994-1995
Studied the physiological and enzymological responses of marine algae to temperature stress. Used laboratory techniques including in vitro enzyme assays; in vitro photosynthesis and respiration measurements; plant culture; biochemical pigment analyses; gel electrophoresis.
SELECTED RESOURCES ON THE WEB
Script Recorder Module for Protein Explorer 2005
Protein Explorer, produced by Eric Martz at University of Massachusetts Amherst, is the premier online public software package for investigating molecular structure, and is in use by researchers and educators worldwide. I developed a software module that allows users to record, playback, edit, and save command streams from Protein Explorer, which provides for the first time the ability to save 3D views between sessions.
Living Figures 2002, 2006
Living Figures are interactive 3D renderings of the molecular graphics from Biochemistry, by Berg, et al. First produced in 2002 for the 5th edition of the textbook, the Living Figures were completely redesigned and re-released for the 6th edition in 2006. URL: <http://bcs.whfreeman.com/biochem6/>
Structural Insights 2002, 2006
Structural Insights are interactive 3D animations of selected topics presented in Biochemistry, by Berg, et al. They were designed to be in-depth treatments of important structure-function relationships in biochemistry. First produced in 2002 for the 5th edition of the textbook, Structural Insights were repurposed and merged with Living Figures, and re-released for the 6th edition in 2006. URL: <http://bcs.whfreeman.com/biochem6/>
Biochemistry in 3D 2001
Biochemistry in 3D is a series of nine interactive 3D structure tutorials to accompany Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry, by Nelson & Cox. The tutorials integrate actual 3D crystal (or NMR) structures with color, animation, 3D interactivity, supplemental text, and rudimentary quizzing features. They were released in 2001 to accompany the 3rd edition of the textbook. URL: <http://bcs.whfreeman.com/lehninger/>
Other resources that are not available on the Web can be provided upon request.
SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS
Martz, E., and T. Driscoll (2000). "Introduction to macromolecular visualization", Chapter 9, pages 161-189 in The Internet for Molecular Biologists, CE Sansom and RM Horton, eds, Oxford University Press, New York.
Kawamitsu, Y., Driscoll, T., and J.S. Boyer (2000). Photosynthesis during desiccation in an intertidal alga and a land plant. Plant Cell Physiol. 41(3): 344-353.
Gerard, V.A. and T. Driscoll (1996). A spectrophotometric assay for Rubisco activity: application to the kelp Laminaria saccharina and implications for radiometric assays. J. Phycol. 32: 880-884.
AWARDS & HONORS
Principal Investigator, NIH PHase I SBIR Grant. 2004-2005
Awarded in collaboration with 3D Molecular Designs, a small business that uses Rapid Prototyping to build scale physical models of molecules for researchers and educators. Grant to implement a proof-of-concept software suite for researchers to design physical models online, using computer-based molecular visualization.
Five-star MERLOT Rating, Biochemistry in 3D. 2000
Project MERLOT is a peer-review system for digital resources in science education. Awarded 5 stars (highest rating) in all categories for Biochemistry in 3D, the molecular visualization supplement to Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry, 5th ed.
Teaching Assistant Award, University of Massachusetts. 1996-1997
Awarded by the University of Massachusetts to the best Graduate Teaching Assistant of the school year, as voted by graduate faculty advisors.
Summer Research Fellowship, Marine Molecular Biology, University of Washington. 1993
Competitive award for travel and stipend support to attend a summer course in marine molecular biology, offered by the University of Washington.
REFERENCES
Available upon request.