Sarah McMenamin

Department of Biological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-5020 sarahkm@stanford.edu, 650.498.4995, FAX: 650.723.0589

EDUCATION

Stanford University, Stanford, CA 9/04-Current

Doctoral Candidate in Ecology and Evolution.

Dissertation Advisor: Dr. Elizabeth Hadly

Mount Holyoke College, South Hadly MA 9/00-5/04

B.A. awarded May 2004, Cum Laude Graduating GPA: 3.74/4.00

Major: Biological Sciences, Minor: Chemistry

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Dr. Elizabeth Hadly, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 9/04-Current

PhD Candidate

Experience with modern and ancient DNA extraction, amplification, cloning, sequencing and analysis. Successfully isolated and analyzed genetic material from ancient amphibian vertebrae. Three seasons of fieldwork experience have included small mammal trapping and handling in Montana, amphibian trapping and handling in Yellowstone National Park, and leading two 10-week field expeditions. Laboratory work has included specimen preparation, and genetic analysis of modern and ancient DNA.

Dr. Jeffery A. Knight, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA 9/03-5/04

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Research

Title: “The Localization and Role of SPOT14 and Mig12 in Breast Carcinoma Cells.” Researched the role of small lipogenic proteins in breast carcinogenesis. Used techniques of cell transfection, transformation, tissue culture and protein purification to visualize protein localization during the carcinoma cell divisions.

Dr. Sigrid Reinsch and Dr. Gregory Conway

NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 5/02-8/03

Laboratory Intern and Research Fellow

Significantly contributed to several different projects in molecular and developmental biology. Worked independently to investigate methods of zebrafish embryo fixation and analysis. Experience with genetic engineering, cloning and confocal microscopy. Received training and experience in aquatic vertebrate handling and husbandry, including fish and amphibian organisms. Responsibilities included training undergraduate students and laboratory technicians in laboratory procedures and molecular techniques.

Dr. Diane Kelly. Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA 5/01-5/02

HHMI Undergraduate Research Fellow

Researched the evolution and morphology of vertebrate penile structures. Developed and implemented histological procedures to examine collagen patters in the corpus cavernosum of sea turtles. Comparatively analyzed patterns of collagen-based hydrostatic structures to determine evolutionary homology. Gained experience with sample fixation and staining techniques as well as light microscopy.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Curriculum Developer and Primary Instructor

San Francisco Art Institute, San Francisco, CA Current

Life Studies: Biology and Art

Graduate Mentor, Stanford University, Stanford CA 9/06-Current

Bio Bridge Pre-Grad and Pre-Med Mentoring Program

Guest Lecturer, San Francisco Art Institute, San Francisco, CA 2/07

Evolution and Art

Teaching Assistant, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 9/06-12/06

Evolution

Student Instructor, East Palo Alto Elementary School, East Palo Alto CA 9/05-Current

Science and Engineering Mentor Program

Teaching Assistant, Stanford University, Stanford CA 9/05-12/05

Genetics, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry

Teaching Assistant, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley MA 2/02-11/02

Genetics and Molecular Biology

Laboratory Instructor, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley MA 9/01-11/01

General Inorganic Chemistry

SELECTED AWARDS AND FELLOWSHIPS

Grant-in-Aid of Research, Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society 2007

Honorable Mention, NSF Graduate Research Fellowship 2006

Research Grant, Stanford Center for Evolutionary Studies 2005

Mary Lyon Scholar Award, Mount Holyoke College 2004

Undergraduate Research Fellowship, Girvin Institute of Technology 2003

Biological Research Grant, Mount Holyoke College 2002

Research Training Fellowship, Howard Hughes Medical Institute 2002

PUBLICATIONS

McMenamin SK and Hadly EA. 2007. Global Warming Causes Amphibian Declines in World’s Oldest National Park. In Review, Science.

McMenamin SK. 2007. Taphonomy determines integrity of ancient DNA. In Prep.

McMenamin SK. 2007. Status of Reptiles in Jasper Ridge. Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve State of the Preserve Assessment, Biotic and Cultural Resources (April 2007). Stanford University Press, Stanford CA.

McMenamin SK, Reinsch S, Conway G. 2003. Direct comparison of common fixation methods for preservation of microtubules in zebrafish embryos. Biotechniques. 34(3):468-70, 472.

McMenamin MAS and McMenamin SK. 2001. Homeotic Genes, the Antennapedia Complex in the Trilobite Genome, and Iterative Evolution in Nevadiid and Bristoliid Trilobites. in Paleontology Sonora: Lipalian and Cambrian, 158-161. Meanma Press.

POSTERS

McMenamin SK and Hadly EA. Yellowstone populations of Ambystoma tigrinum show no mitochondrial control region variation over the past 3000 years. Conservation Genetics Conference, Monterey CA. September 2005.

McMenamin SK, Reinsch S, Conway G. Direct comparison of common fixation methods for preservation of microtubules in zebrafish embryos. NASA Ames Research Poster Session, Moffett Field CA. August 2002.

DISSERTATION COMMITTEE MEMBERS & COLLABORATORS

Hadly, Elizabeth Stanford University

Palumbi, Stephen Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University

Peterson, Charles Idaho Museum of Natural History

Root, Terry Stanford University

Voss, Randal University of Kentucky