Curriculum Vitae
MELINDA EKKENS-VILLANUEVA
EDUCATION
Ph.D. 2003, Molecular and Cell Biology
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Bethesda, MD
M.S. 1997, Biology--Immunology emphasis
Appalachian State University
Boone, NC
B.S. 1994, Medical Technology (Magna Cum Laude)
Columbia Union College*
Takoma Park, MD
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Chair, Biology and Chemistry, 2009-current
Washington Adventist University
Responsible for daily coordination of department.
Recruit and monitor departmental student assistants.
Responsible for management of annual and monthly budgets.
Responsible for recruitment, organization, and hiring of adjunct professors.
Assistant Professor, 2005-current
Washington Adventist University (formerly Columbia Union College)
Responsible for design, implementation, and instruction of undergraduate biology courses.
Designed and implemented new Immunology course, along with laboratory exercises.
Implemented service-learning component of biology capstone senior seminar course.
Post-Doctoral Researcher, 2002-2005
University of Pennsylvania
Design and execution of in vivo and in vitro experimental assays.
Presentation of data in departmental and laboratory meetings.
Preparation of manuscripts and grant applications.
Graduate Assistant, 1999-2001
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Aided professors with administration of class examinations.
Aided professors with implementation of laboratory exercises.
Medical Technician, 1992-1995 & 1997-2001
Washington Adventist Hospital
Performed diagnostic laboratory testing.
Gained proficiency with medical computer applications.
Performed preventive maintenance on laboratory equipment.
Participated in laboratory quality assurance program.
Graduate Assistant, 1995-1997
Appalachian State University
Responsible for preparation and instruction of undergraduate laboratory exercises.
Responsible for developing and grading quizzes and laboratory assignments.
Aided professors in administration of class exams.
Medical Technician, 1995-1997
Watauga Medical Center
Performed diagnostic laboratory tests.
Performed preventative maintenance on all laboratory equipment.
Medical Technician, 1994-1995
Laboratory Corporation of America
Responsible for initial work-up of microbiological specimens.
Aided in stocking and quality control of supplies.
Gained proficiency with medical computer system.
Athletic Trainer, 1990-1993
Columbia Union College
Monitored athletic team practices and games.
Created and supervised rehabilitation programs and treatments.
Coordinated and developed the Athletic Training department.
REFEREED PUBLICATIONS
Journals
- Ekkens MJ, Shedlock DJ, Jung E, Troy A, Pearce EL, Shen H, Pearce EJ. 2007. Th1 and Th2 cells help CD8 T-cell responses. Infect Immun. 75(5):2291-6.
- Ekkens MJ, Liu Z, Liu Q, Whitmire J, Xiao S, Foster A, Pesce J, VanNoy J, Sharpe AH, Urban JF, & Gause WC. 2003. The role of OX40L interactions in the development of the Th2 response to the gastrointestinal nematode parasite Heligmosomoides polygyrus. J. Immunol, 170:384-393.
- Liu Z, Liu Q, Pesce J, Whitmire J, Ekkens MJ, Foster A, VanNoy J, Sharpe AH, Urban JF Jr., & Gause WC. 2002. Nippostrongylus brasiliensis can induce B7-independent antigen-specific development of IL-4-producing T cells from naive CD4 T cells in vivo. J Immunol, 169:6959-6968.
- Ekkens MJ, Liu Z, Liu Q, Foster A, Whitmire J, Pesce J, Sharpe AH, Urban JF, & Gause WC. 2002. Memory Th2 effector cells can develop in the absence of B7-1/B7-2, CD28 interactions, and effector T helper cells after priming with an intestinal nematode parasite. J Immunol, 168:6344-6351.
- Liu, Q, Ekkens M, Mitro V, Urban J, & Gause WC. 2000. How the immune response makes decisions during infectious disease. Recent Res Devel Immunology 2:131-140.
- Urban J, Fang H, Liu Q, Ekkens MJ, Chen SJ, Nguyen D, Mitro V, Donaldson DD, Byrd C, Peach R, Morris SC, Finkelman FD, Schopf L, & Gause WC. 2000. IL-13-mediated worm expulsion is B7 independent and IFN-gamma sensitive. J Immunol 164:4250-4256.
- Gause WC, Ekkens M, Nguyen D, Mitro V, Liu Q, Finkelman FD, Greenwald, RJ, & Urban JF. 1999. The development of CD4+ T effector cells during the type 2 immune response. Immunol Res 20:55-65.
- Greenwald RJ, Urban JF, Ekkens MJ, Chen S, Nguyen D, Fang H, Finkelman FD, Sharpe AH, & Gause WC. 1999. B7-2 is required for the progression but not the initiation of the type 2 immune response to a gastrointestinal nematode parasite. J Immunol 162:4133-4139.
- Nieman DC, Henson DA, Nehlsen-Cannarella SL, Ekkens M, Utter AD, Butterworth DE, & Fagoaga OR. 1999. Influence of obesity on immune function [see comments]. J Am Diet Assoc 99:294-299.
Abstracts/Presentations
- Ekkens M, Jung E, Troy A, Pearce E, Shedlock D, Shen H, & Pearce EJ. 2004. Th1 cells provide better help than Th2 cells for the development of CD8 T cell responses. Eighth Woods Hole Immunoparasitology Conference, #58. Abstract.
- Ekkens M, Liu Q, Liu Z, Pesce J, Whitmire J, Foster A, VanNoy J, Sharpe AH, Urban JF, & Gause WC. 2002. B7-1/B7-2-/- BALB/c mice are able to develop a host protective secondary immune response to Heligmosomoides polygyrus in the absence of a primary immune response. Experimental Biology 2002 Joint Annual Meeting, 509.10. Abstract (oral presentation).
- Ekkens M, Liu Q, Liu Z, Fang H, Byrd C, Sharpe AH, Urban JF, & Gause WC. 2001. OX40L dependence of Th2 responses differs between gastrointestinal nematode parasites. Experimental Biology 2001 Joint Annual Meeting, 532.17. Abstract (oral presentation).
- Ekkens M, Liu Q, Liu Z, Fang H, Byrd C, Sharpe AH, Urban J, & Gause WC. 2001. OX40L dependence of Th2 responses differs between gastrointestinal nematode parasites. Fifth Woods Hole Immunoparasitology Meeting, #73. Abstract.
- Ekkens M, Liu Q, Fang H, Byrd C, Sharpe AH, Urban J, & Gause WC. 2000. OX40L is not required for the development of a B7-dependent type 2 immune response to the nematode parasite H. polygyrus. American Association of Immunologists and Clinical Immunology Society Joint Annual Meeting, 43.18. Abstract.
- Ekkens M, Liu Q, Fang H, Byrd C, Sharpe AH, Urban J, & Gause WC. 2000. OX40L interactions are not required for the development of CD4-dependent, B7-dependent type 2 immune responses to nematode parasites. Fourth Woods Hole Immunoparasitology Meeting, #16. Abstract (oral presentation).
- Ekkens MJ, Greenwald RJ, Urban JF, Chen SJ, Nguyen DN, Fang H, Sharpe AH, & Gause WC. 1999. B7-2 is required for the progression but not the initiation of the type 2 immune response to a gastrointestinal nematode parasite. Third Woods Hole Immunoparasitology Meeting, #25. Abstract (oral presentation).
- Ekkens MJ, Greenwald RJ, Urban JF, Chen SJ, Nguyen DN, Fang H, Sharpe AH, & Gause WC. 1999. Differential B7-2 dependent regulation of the chronic type 2 immune response to a gastrointestinal nematode infection. Keystone Symposia: Type 2 Cytokines in Allergy and Helminth Infections, 108:35. Abstract (oral presentation).
CERTIFICATION
- MT (ASCP), 1994
- MLT (ASCP), 1992