Kristin M. Obrochta has a Ph.D. in Comparative Biochemistry from UC Berkeley and is currently a postdoctoral associate at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging. Her research focuses on genetic diseases, neuroscience, metabolism, cancer, and aging. Her dissertation research at UC Berkeley characterized novel regulation of retinoic acid synthesis by the transcription factor FoxO1 in the liver. She has published papers on quantifying retinaldehyde and the effects of diet and strain on mouse retinoid concentrations.

1. Kristin M. Obrochta, Ph.D.
1
Kristin M. Obrochta, PhD
510-325-0583 / Kristin.obrochta@gmail.com
Home: 2219 Center Road, Novato, CA / 415-408-3554
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinobrochta
OBJECTIVE
Contribute to innovative and translational research, aimed at understanding mechanisms to
treat disease states, and improve human health.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Genetic diseases, neuroscience, metabolic biology, nutrition, cancer, and aging.
EDUCATION
University of California, Berkeley 2014
Ph.D. in Comparative Biochemistry
Department of Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology
University of Washington, Seattle
B.S. in Biochemistry 2006
Minors in Chemistry, Law Society and Justice
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Postdoctoral Associate October 2014 - current
Buck Institute for Research on Aging
Laboratory of Jennifer L Garrison
I am developing a project aimed to define the role of individual neurotransmitters in
defined neural circuits that regulate behaviors.
Ph.D. Dissertation Research August 2006 – December 2014
University of California Berkeley
Thesis advisor: Joseph L Napoli
“Energy Metabolism Regulates Retinoic Acid Synthesis and Homeostasis in
Physiological Contexts”
My dissertation research characterized novel regulation of retinoic acid synthesis by
master transcription regulator FoxO1 in liver. I uncovered changes in enzymatic
expression and activity driving retinoic acid synthesis, and identified reciprocal
regulation between retinoic acid and liver glucose metabolism through FoxO1.
Undergraduate Internship May 2005 – August 2005
Amgen, Seattle, WA
Department of Product Quality, Supervisors Andrea Beard and Wesley Wang
“Analysis of N-linked glycosylation using high pH anion exchange chromatography”
My project developed analytical methods to qualify recombinant glycoproteins for
clinical use in human therapeutics in the Quality department. I optimized a method to
quantitatively detect and separate N-linked oligosaccharides present in monoclonal
antibodies.

2. Kristin M. Obrochta, Ph.D.
2
PUBLICATIONS
J Wang, HS Yoo, KM Obrochta, P Huang, JL Napoli (2015) Quantitation of retinaldehyde
in small biological samples using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography tandem
mass spectrometry. Anal Biochem. Sep 1;484:162-8. PMID: 26045160.
KM Obrochta, Krois CR, Campos B, Napoli JL (2015) Insulin regulates retinol
dehydrogenase expression and all-trans-retinoic acid biosynthesis through FoxO1. J Biol
Chem. Mar 13;290(11):7259-68. PMID: 25627686.
KM Obrochta, MA Kane, JL Napoli (2014) Effects of diet and strain on mouse serum and
tissue retinoid concentrations. PLoS One. Jun 9;9(6):e99435. PMID: 24911926
MA Kane, AE Folias, A Pingitore, M Perri, KM Obrochta, CR Krois, E Cione, JY Ryu, JL
Napoli (2010) Identification of 9-cis retinoic acid as a pancreas specific autacoid that
attenuates glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. PNAS 107(50):21884-9. PMID: 21115832.
EXPERIMENTAL EXPERTISE
Cell culture: Mammalian cell culture, primary neuron culture, transfection, stable cells
Protein techniques: SDS page, Bradford assay, immunoblot, immunohistochemistry, enzyme-
linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA), Immunoprecipitation (IP)
Analytical methods: High performance liquid chromatography- ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV),
liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS)
Molecular biology: DNA cloning, vector design, adeno-associated vectors (AAV).
Gene expression: Semi-quantitative RT-PCR, quantitative PCR
Microscopy: Fluorescent microscopy, confocal microscopy
Animal models: Mouse husbandry and handing, dissection and tissue harvest, genotyping,
intraperitoneal injection, blood collection, islet isolation, laser micro-
dissection
Basic techniques: Agarose gel electrophoresis, DNA/RNA/protein isolation and purification,
cryostat tissue embedding and sectioning, paraffin tissue imbedding and
sectioning.
Retinoid assays: Acid/base extraction method from cells and tissues, retinaldehyde
derivitization