Margaret Colón is a PhD student at Michigan State University studying comparative medicine and integrative biology. She received her bachelor's degree in applied microbiology from Universidad del Este. Her research focuses on the effects of postnatal mercury exposure on nerve membrane proteins. She has worked as a graduate assistant studying this topic since 2010 under Dr. William Atchison. She has presented her research at several conferences and received multiple awards and fellowships.

4. Curriculum vita
Margaret Colón
margaretcolon1@msu.edu 1250 Haslett Rd.
Apt C7
Tel. (787)648-9017 East Lansing, MI 48823.
EDUCATION:
 Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Comparative Medicine and Integrative Biology PhD Program
Graduate Student (August 2010- present)
 Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Bridge to PhD in the Neurosciences Program
Lifelong Student (September 2009- May 2010)
 Universidad del Este (UNE), Carolina, PR
Bachelor of Science in Applied Microbiology (June, 2009)
WORK / RESEARCH EXPERIENCE:
 Graduate Assistant. Comparative Medicine and Integrative Biology PhD Program,
Graduate student (August 2010- present). Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI:
“Effects of postnatal MeHg exposure in the expression of Nerve Membrane proteins of
adult mice”. Mentor: William D. Atchison PhD, Department of Pharmacology and
Toxicology. Roles: Primary cultures from mouse motor neurons, Western Blot,
immunocytochemistry, tissue RNA isolation, real time PCR and laser micro dissection.
 Postbaccalaurete Research Assistant. Bridge to PhD in the Neurosciences Program
(BPNP), Lifelong student (August 2009- July 2010). Michigan State University, East
Lansing, MI: “Ion channel gene transcription is affected differentially in rat cerebellum
after postnatal methylmercury exposure”. Mentor: William D. Atchison PhD,
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. Roles: Tissue RNA isolation, RT-PCR,
and real time PCR.
 Summer Internship. Ronald E. McNair Post baccalaureate Achievement Program,
Member (May 2009- December 2009). Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI:
“Expression of Nerve Membrane Proteins in a Naturally Occurring Ca2+
Channelopathy”. Mentor: William D. Atchison PhD, Department of Pharmacology and
Toxicology. Roles: Cell Culture, tissue and cell RNA Isolation, RT-PCR, and real time
PCR.
 Undergraduate Researcher. URGREAT-MBRS-RISE Program at UNE, Member
(April 2008 – April 2009). Universidad del Este, Carolina, P.R.: “Application of the

5. quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) for a Rapid Detection of Potential
Exposure to Waterborne Pathogens in Recreational Waters of Puerto Rico”. Mentor:
Mariel Perez PhD, Department of Science and Technology. Roles: Collect water samples,
analyze the water samples by using differential media and identify the pathogens by
using real time PCR.
 Summer Internship. Ronald E. McNair Post baccalaureate Achievement Program,
Summer Research Opportunity Program, Member (May 2008- August 2008). Michigan
State University, East Lansing, MI: “Structure – Function Relation of the EpsG Protein
of Vibrio cholerae”. Mentor: Michael Bagdasarian MD, PhD, Department of
Microbiology and Molecular Genetics. Roles: PCR, gel electrophoresis, enzyme assays,
conjugation, chemical transformation and electroporation.
PROFESSIONAL/ STUDENT ASSOCIATIONS:
 Society of Toxicology, Member (July 2011- present)
 Society for Neuroscience, Member (September 2010- present).
 Ronald E. McNair Post baccalaureate Achievement Program, Member (May 2008 -
August 2008), (May 2009 - December 2009), Peer Advisor (May 2009 - August 2009).
 Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement Program (MBRS/RISE), Member (April
2008 – May 2009).
 Society of Microbiology of Puerto Rico, Member (May 2007- May 2009).
 Microbiology Association at UNE, Member (August 2005- May 2009), Vice-president
(May 2006- May 2007).
AWARDS:
 Honorable mention, Perry J. Gehring Diversity Student Travel Award for the 2011
Annual Meeting of the Society of Toxicology (SOT) in Washington, D.C. March 5, 2010
 Neuroscience Fellowship, Department of Neuroscience, Michigan State University,
September 2009 and January 2010.
 Best Poster Presentation Award at the 3rd Undergraduate Research Symposium in The
School of Medicine at Universidad Central del Caribe, Bayamon, PR. (May 2009).
 Travel Award for the 48th Society of Toxicology Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD.
(March, 2009).
 Best Poster Presentation Award at the 2008 NOBCChE Regional Midwest Biotechnology
Conference, Indianapolis, IN. (October, 2008).
 Best Poster Presentation Award at the XIX Model Institutes for Excellence (MIE)
Undergraduate Research Symposium, San Juan PR. (September, 2008).
 Leadership award for the charge of vice-president of the Microbiology Association at
UNE (May, 2007).
CONFERENCE/ SYMPOSIUM PRESENTATIONS
POSTER:

6.  Margaret Colon, R. K. Hajela, Y. Yuan and W. D. Atchison. “Ion channel gene
transcription is affected differentially in rat cerebellum after postnatal methylmercury
exposure”. Society of Toxicology 2011 Annual meeting. March 8, 2011. Washington,
DC.
 Margaret Colon, R. K. Hajela, W. D. Atchison. “Expression of Nerve Membrane
Proteins in a Naturally Occurring Ca+2 Channelopathy”. Ronald E. McNair Undergraduate
Research Symposium. August 5, 2009. East Lansing, MI.
 Margaret Colón, A. Terry, M. Bagdasarian. “Structure- Function Relation of the EpsG
Protein of Vibrio cholerae”. 3rd Undergraduate Research Symposium at The School of
Medicine in Universidad Central del Caribe, May 14, 2009. Bayamon, PR.
 Margaret Colon, A. Terry, M. Bagdasarian. “Structure- Function Relation of the EpsG
Protein of Vibrio cholerae”. 2008 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority
Students (ABRCMS), November 8, 2008. Orlando, FL.
 Margaret Colon, A. Terry, M. Bagdasarian. “Structure- Function Relation of the EpsG
Protein of Vibrio cholerae”. 2008 NOBCChE Midwest Biotechnology Conference,
October 24, 2008. Indianapolis, IN.
 Margaret Colon, A. Terry, M. Bagdasarian. “Structure- Function Relation of the EpsG
Protein of Vibrio cholerae”. Model Institutions for Excellence (MIE) XIV Undergraduate
Research Symposium. September 12-13, 2008.San Juan, P.R.
 Margaret Colon, A. Terry, M. Bagdasarian. “Structure- Function Relation of the EpsG
Protein of Vibrio cholerae”. McNair/SROP Undergraduate Research Symposium. August
7, 2008. East Lansing, MI.
ORAL:
 Margaret Colon, R. K. Hajela, W. D. Atchison. “Expression of Nerve Membrane
Proteins in a Naturally Occurring Ca+2 Channelopathy”. Ronald E. McNair Undergraduate
Research Symposium. August 6, 2009. East Lansing, MI.
 Margaret Colon, A. Terry, M. Bagdasarian. “Structure- Function Relation of the EpsG
Protein of Vibrio cholerae”. Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (RISE)
Undergraduate Research Symposium at Universidad del Este. October 3, 2008. Carolina,
P.R.
 Margaret Colon, A. Terry, M. Bagdasarian. “Structure- Function Relation of the EpsG
Protein of Vibrio cholerae”. Ronald E. McNair/SROP 2008 Undergraduate Research
Symposium. August 6, 2008. East Lansing, MI.
STUDENTS MENTEES:
 Summer 2011- Dynaira Burgos, Undergraduate student from Universidad de Puerto
Rico-Cayey.
 Summer 2010- Miranda Sanchez, Second year veterinary medicine student from
Michigan State University.