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Kristen R. Hirsch
Curriculum Vitae

Loras College
1450 Alta Vista Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
Email: kristen.hirsch@loras.edu

EDUCATION

2015 - 2019 Loras College

B.S in Neuroscience, May 2019
Minor in Chemistry
GPA: 3.86 Science GPA: 3.78

CONFERENCE PARTICIPATION

Summer 2018 Hirsch, K., Olin, A., & Burger, C. (2018, August). The inositol
1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor is a potential target for p70S6 kinase.
Talk delivered at University of Wisconsin – Madison
Neurobiology Summer Research Opportunity Program final
symposium. Madison, WI

Spring 2018 Hirsch, K., & Bowman, M.J. (2018, May). Western Blot Analysis
of Rubisco Protein Expression in Different Plant Species. Poster
presented at Loras College Legacy Symposium. Loras College,
Dubuque, IA

Spring 2018 O’Brien, R., Hirsch, K., Derby, B., & Bollweg, L. (2018, May).
Music and the Mind. Talk delivered at Loras College Legacy
Symposium. Loras College, Dubuque, IA

Spring 2017 Hirsch, K., & Olson, D. (2017, May). Effects of Environmental
Enrichment on Corticosterone Levels in Mice. Poster presented at
Loras College Legacy Symposium. Loras College, Dubuque, IA

Spring 2017 O’Brien, R., Hirsch, K., Derby, B., & Bollweg, L. (2017, May).
The Sounds of Your Mind: Coping with Depression and Anxiety
through Music. Poster presented at Loras College Legacy
Symposium. Loras College, Dubuque, IA

Spring 2016 Hirsch, K., Mills, E., & Young, N. (2016, May). Bactericidal
effects of different types of honey on E. Coli. Poster presented at
Loras College Legacy Symposium. Loras College, Dubuque, IA
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AWARDS AND HONORS

Fall 2018 – Present Delta Epislon Sigma

I was invited to be a member of Delta Epsilon Sigma, the
collegiate National Honor Society, for maintaining at least a 3.8
cumulative GPA and for exhibiting excellence in intellectual effort
and character beyond the classroom.

Fall 2018 – Present Nu Rho Psi

I was invited to be a member of Nu Rho Psi, the neuroscience
honor society, for maintaining at least a 3.2 cumulative GPA and
at least a 3.5 GPA in neuroscience.

Summer 2018 University of Wisconsin – Madison Neurobiology Summer

Research Opportunity Program
I was selected from more than 300 applicants to be one of eight
research interns in the University of Wisconsin – Madison’s
summer research outreach program.

Fall 2015 – Spring 2018 Loras College Honors Program

For 6 semesters I was a part of the honors program, which
requires maintaining a 3.5 cumulative GPA and the completion of
a community based project at the end of 8 semesters.

Fall 2015 – Present Loras College Flagship Merit Award

For 7 semesters I was awarded a scholarship through Loras
College for maintaining a 4.0 cumulative GPA in high school.

Fall 2015 – Present Valedictorian Scholarship

For 7 semesters I was awarded a scholarship through Loras
College for being the valedictorian of my high school class.

Fall 2015 – Present St. Cecilia Music Scholarship

For 7 semesters I was awarded a scholarship through the music
program to play flute in the wind ensemble.

Fall 2015 – Fall 2016; Dean’s List, Loras College

Fall 2017 – Spring 2018 For 5 semesters I was named to the Dean’s list, which requires a
minimum semester GPA of 3.50.

Fall 2015 – Fall 2016; Lyle and Lenis Curtis Scholarship

Fall 2018 For 3 fall semesters I was awarded a scholarship through my
employer, Southwest Health, to pursue a health-related career.
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TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Fall 2017 – Present Biostatistics/Experimental Design Supplemental Instructor

Department of Biology, Loras College
- Held weekly office hours for open-door tutoring in biostatistics

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Summer 2018 – Present Summer Research Opportunity Program Research Intern

Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin – Madison
- Performed cell culture techniques to raise HEK293 cells for
protein analysis
- Prepared rat hippocampal tissue lysates for use in a protein assay
- Used electrophoresis gels to determine the amount of p70S6
kinase, phospho-p70S6 kinase, and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate
receptor protein present in rat hippocampal tissue and in
transformed HEK293 cells
- Performed co-immunoprecipitation to determine protein
relationships between (phospho-) p70S6 kinase and the inositol
1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor in rat hippocampal tissue

Summer 2017 – Present Biological Lab Assistant

Department of Biology, Loras College
- Prepared plant lysates for use in a protein assay
- Prepared and used electrophoresis gels to determine the amount
of rubisco protein present in several plant species
- Used western blotting to analyze amounts of rubisco protein
present in several plant species
- Prepared solutions for use in student biology and chemistry labs

Fall 2016 – Spring 2017 Biostatistics/Experimental Design Research Participant

Departments of Biology and Neuroscience, Loras College
- Used a corticosterone assay to determine corticosterone levels in
mice who had (a) been exposed to environmental enrichment or (b)
remained in a non-stimulating environment
- Collected and prepared fecal matter from mice for use in a
corticosterone assay

Fall 2015 – Spring 2016 Principles of Biology I Research Participant

Department of Biology, Loras College
- Measured the bactericidal effects of two types of honey (clover
and buckwheat) on agar plates treated with E. Coli
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RELATED PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

Fall 2016 – Spring 2018 Animal Facility Student Worker

Department of Neuroscience, Loras College
-Assisted in maintaining the health and cleanliness of laboratory
mice housed in the Loras College animal facility

Spanish, Writing – ILR W-2+ (Limited Working Proficiency, Plus)

Spanish, Reading – ILR R-2+ (Limited Working Proficiency, Plus)
Spanish, Speaking – ILR S-2+ (Limited Working Proficiency, Plus)

LEADERSHIP

Fall 2017 – Present Neuroscience Club Vice President

- Assisted president in coordinating meetings and programs

Spring 2016 Lead for Loras Participant

- Participated in a six-session leadership development course
through Loras College

EXTRACURRICULAR UNIVERSITY SERVICE

Fall 2015 – Present Wind Ensemble Member

-Played flute in the Loras College wind ensemble for 5 semesters

Fall 2015 – Spring 2016 Lorian Copy Editor

- Edited the Loras College newspaper for grammatical and
structural errors for 2 semesters

Fall 2015 – Spring 2016 Loras College Drumline Member

- Played bass drum at home football games and several other
events for 2 semesters

REFERENCES
Dr. Sarah Cassella Mary Jo Bowman Dr. Jake Kurczek
Visiting Assistant Lab Technician Assistant Professor of
Professor of Neuroscience Loras College Neuroscience and
Loras College 1450 Alta Vista St. Psychology
1450 Alta Vista St. Dubuque, IA 52001 Loras College
Dubuque, IA 52001 563.588.4913 1450 Alta Vista St.
563.588.7184 maryjo.bowman@loras.edu Dubuque, IA 52001
sarah.cassella@loras.edu 563.588.7045
jake.kurczek@loras.edu