The document is a resume for Kenya M. Joseph detailing her education in biology from the University of North Carolina Charlotte and Queensborough Community College, as well as her research experience including examining interactions of RNA nanoparticles and cytokine expression related to smoking and stress, along with presentations and publications from this work. She has received several awards and honors for her academic and research accomplishments.

1. Kenya M. Joseph
7700 Network Lane #205, Charlotte, NC 28262 | 347.275.0623 | kjoseph4@uncc.edu
Education
University of North Carolina Charlotte, Charlotte, NC May 2017
B.S. in Biology, Concentration: Microbiology
Minor: Bioinformatics
Queensborough Community College, Bayside, NY September 2010 – May 2013
Major: Biology
Awards
Honorable Mention – Poster Presentation February 2016
Southeastern Undergraduate Research Conference
Georgia State University
Feature in the Charlotte Observer – Speaker November 2015
Visualizing Science Exhibit, J. Murray Atkins Library – UNCC
International Scholar Laureate May 2013
Medicine Delegation in China
Travel Scholarship – Conference Participation April 2013
America’s Next Top Infectious Disease Model: HIV & Influenza Conference
Harvard University School of Public Health
Certificate of Recognition – Contribution to QCC & Its Grants Program 2012-2013 February 2013
Queensborough Community College
Delegate Award – CUNY Women’s Leadership Conference September 2012
Queensborough Community College
Dean’s List May 2012
Queensborough Community College
C-STEP Certificate for Exceptional GPA May 2012
Queensborough Community College
Publications & Papers
Pending: Bennett, J., Marino, J., Peck, B., Roos, L., Joseph, K., Carter, L., Smith, C., Rohleder, N., Coffman, M.
(Pending 2017). Smoking: A model to examine how chronic stress leads to immune dysregulation. Brain,
Behavior and Immunity.
Parlea, L., Puri, A., Kasprzak, W., Bindewald, E., Zakrevsky, P., Satterwhite, E., Joseph, K., Afonin, K., Shapiro,
B. A. (2016). Cellular Delivery of RNA Nanoparticles. ACS Combinatorial Science, 18(9), 527–547.

2. Oral Presentations
Interactions of siRNA Functionalized Therapeutic RNA Nanoparticles with Whole Blood and Isolated
Lymphocytes
UNCC Undergraduate Research Conference May 2016
South Carolina Academy of Science Annual Meeting – Winthrop University March 2016
Vaccination: Retrospection and the Road Forward
From DNA to Beer: Harnessing Nature in Medicine and Industry Exhibit February 2016
J. Murray Atkins Library
Annotation of Copper Resistance Genes in H. neapolitanus C2
CUNY Honor’s Conference May 2012
Poster Presentations
Blood Lymphocytes Cytokine Gene Expression from Glucocorticoid & Lipopolysaccharide Exposure in Healthy
Smokers & Non-Smokers
UNCC Undergraduate Research Conference May 2016
Interactions of siRNA Functionalized Therapeutic RNA Nanoparticles with Whole Blood and Isolated
Lymphocytes
Southeastern Undergraduate Research Conference – Georgia State University February 2016
State of NC Undergraduate Research & Creativity Symposium – UNC Asheville October 2015
The biological role of a bacterial diterpene isolated from MTE4A
Metropolitan Association of College and University Biologists Conference October 2012
CUNY Honor’s Conference May 2012
Genomic Toxicity of Silver Nano Particles on Bacterial DNA
American Chemical Society Middle Atlantic Regional Meeting May 2012
CUNY Honor’s Conference May 2012
Research Experience
Research Assistant July 2015 – Current
RNA Nanotechnology Research Laboratory
UNCC Chemistry Department, PI: Dr. Kirill Afonin
Interactions of siRNA Functionalized Therapeutic RNA Nanoparticles with Whole Blood and Isolated
Lymphocytes
Colocalization of custom designed RNA nanoparticle constructs with human immune cell organelles utilizing flow
cytometry, fluorescence and live imaging
RCT Optimization for siRNA Microsponge Formation
Optimization of Rolling Circle Transcription for siRNA microsponge production and gene silencing

3. Research Assistant September 2014 - Current
Stresswaves Biobehavioral Research Laboratory
UNCC Pyschology Department, PI: Dr. Jeanette Bennett
Blood Lymphocytes Cytokine Gene Expression from Glucocorticoid & Lipopolysaccharide Exposure in Healthy
Smokers & Non-Smokers
Examining differences in cytokine gene expression in peripheral blood lymphocytes to an immune trigger or
lipopolysacchride (LPS) and an immune suppressor or dexamethasone (DEX) between healthy individuals who
never smoked and healthy smokers who have not yet exhibited clinical disease
Smoking, Immunity and Mood (SIM) Study
Laboratory tech performing immunological assays on whole blood including white blood cell isolation, WBC count,
nicotine and dexamethasone stimulation
Caffeine and Immune Response (Cafe ER) Study
Administration of behavioral surveys and caffeine/placebo to study effect
Cognitive, Mood, and Language (CML) Study
Assisted in developing computerized Stroop and Nback testing, administration of behavioral surveys and cognitive
tests to participants
Research Assistant May 2012 – May 2013
Queensborough Community College, PI: Dr. Monica Trujillo
Biological Role of a Bacterial Diterpene Isolated from MTE4A
Culturing various actinomycetes strains for comparison; PCR and sequencing; assisted in probe creation and
utilized various assays to elucidate secreted compounds
Research Assistant May 2012 – March 2013
Queensborough Community College, PI: Dr. Peter Novick
CopC Gene Group & Interspecies Investigation
Analysis of bioinformatic data for the CopC gene group across 200+ species for gene annotation
Annotation of Copper Resistance Genes in H. neapolitanus C2
Bioinformatics annotation of CopA gene group in H. neapolitanus with phylogenetic tree creation
Research Assistant January 2012 – May 2012
Queensborough Community College, PI: Dr. Mangala Tawde
Genomic Toxicity of Silver Nanoparticles on Bacterial DNA
Investigated, identified and documented efficacy of silver nanoparticles against E. coli and S. aureus through
bacterial cultures using the Kirby-Bauer method

4. Volunteer Experience
Volunteer Presenter/Educator March 2014
Patriots Elementary School 5th
Grade Science Day
Engaged in teaching 5th graders about various scientific concepts via rotating classroom groups
Volunteer Greeter November 2013
State of NC Undergraduate Research & Creativity Symposium
Managed a registration table for the conference
Service Learning – Biotechnology December 2012
Queensborough Community College
Teaching biotechnology techniques (PCR, Southern Blot, ELISA, DNA fingerprinting) to high school students
Service Learning – Microbiology May 2012
Queensborough Community College
Tutoring for Microbiology Lab Practicals
Supplemental Learning
Basics of Extracellular Vesicles – Coursera.org January 2017
Offered by University of California Irvine
Epigenetic Control of Gene Expression – Coursera.org September 2016
Offered by the University of Melbourne, Australia
Epidemiology: The Basic Science of Public Health February 2016
Offered by the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Organizations & Memberships
Association of Southeastern Biologists March 2016 – Current
South Carolina Academy of Science March 2016 – Current
STEM Research Club – Vice President, Queensborough Community College 2012 – 2013
Genetics Society of America June 2012 – Current
C-STEP – Queensborough Community College 2012 – 2013
Phi Theta Kappa January 2012 – May
2013