Jesus Angel Ortega

4040 Virginia Ave. Lynwood, CA 90262

(310) 345-6929 | jesus_007@csu.fullerton.edu
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EDUCATION

California State University Fullerton (CSUF) Expected: May 2020

B.S. Biological Science (Molecular Biology and Biotechnology)
Cumulative GPA: 3.67
Thesis: Investigating the Role of ChvI in the Regulation of Small RNAs in Sinorhizobium meliloti
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RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Microbiology and Genetic Research, CSUF August 2017-Present

Principle investigator: Dr. Esther Chen, Department of Biological Science
• Studying the functions of target genes of the ExoS/ChvI two-component signaling pathways in
Sinorhizobium meliloti, which forms an intracellular symbiosis with legume plants
• Investigating the motif for ChvI-dependent gene regulation using DNA recombinant technology
• Elucidating the role of ChvI in the regulation of small RNAs

Cell and Molecular Research, The University of Chicago (UChicago) June-August 2019
Principle investigator: Dr. David Kovar, Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology
• Understanding the role capping protein plays in the sorting and dynamics of actin binding proteins in
Schizosaccharomyces pombe
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PUBLICATIONS

Ratib, N.R., Sabio, E.Y., Mendoza, C., Barnett, M.J. Clover, S.B., Ortega, J.A., Dela Cruz, F.M., Balderas, D.,
White, H., Long, S.R., and Chen E.J. (2018) Genome-wide identification of genes directly regulated by ChvI
and a consensus sequence for ChvI binding in Sinorhizobium meliloti. Molecular Microbiology, 110(4), 596-
615.
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PRESENTATIONS

Oral presentations:

Ortega, J. A., Dela Cruz F. M., and Chen E. J. Testing the Role of a Consensus Sequence for ChvI-Dependent
Gene Regulation in the Nitrogen-Fixing Bacterium Sinorhizobium meliloti. 44th Annual West Coast Biological
Sciences Undergraduate Conference, San Diego, CA. April 6, 2019

Ortega, J. A., Homa K.E., and Kovar D.R., Capping protein’s role in the Sorting of Actin Binding Proteins in
Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology Research Experience for Undergraduates
Symposium, Chicago, IL. August 23, 2019

Poster presentations:

Ortega, J. A., Homa K.E., and Kovar D.R., Capping Protein’s Role in the Sorting of Actin Binding Proteins in
Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology Research Experience for Undergraduates
Symposium, Chicago, IL. August 23, 2019

Ortega, J.A., and Chen E.J. The Role of ChvI in Regulating the SmelA018 and SmelA020 small RNAs in
Sinorhizobium meliloti. 16th Annual Natural Science and Mathematics Symposium, Fullerton, CA. April 18,
2019
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Ortega, J. A., Dela Cruz F., and Chen E. J. Testing the Role of a Consensus Sequence for ChvI-Dependent
Gene Regulation in Sinorhizobium meliloti MARC-RCP Family Day Symposium, Fullerton, CA. January 20,
2019

Ortega, J. A., Dela Cruz F., and Chen E. J. Testing the Role of a Consensus Sequence for ChvI-Dependent
Gene Regulation in the Nitrogen-Fixing Bacterium Sinorhizobium meliloti. 31st Annual CSU Program for
Education and Research in Biotechnology, Garden Grove, CA. January 3-5, 2019

Ortega, J. A., and Chen E. J. Knocking-out an ExoS/ChvI Controlled LuxR-type Regulator in Sinorhizobium
meliloti. 6th Annual Cal State Fullerton STEM Research Symposium, Fullerton, CA. August 9, 2018

Ortega J. A., and Chen E. J. Knocking-out the LuxR Transcription Regulating Gene Controlled by the
ExoS/ChvI Signaling Pathway in Sinorhizobium meliloti. MARC-RCP Family Day Symposium, Fullerton, CA.
January 21, 2018
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RESEARCH TRAINING PROGRAMS

Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) scholar June 1, 2018-May 31, 2020
CSUF
• Supporting prospective graduate students through exposure to intramural and extramural research
experience and academic advisement

Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, National Science Foundation June-August 2019
Research Experience for Undergraduates
UChicago
• 10-week research experience with stipend and housing where undergraduates work closely with faculty
and graduate students on a research project

Research Career Preparatory (RCP) Program Fall 2017-Spring 2018

CSUF
• Learned to conduct molecular biology techniques such as PCR, primer design, DNA gel electrophoresis,
SDS PAGE, and bacterial transformation in a one-year training program. Learned about culture of
science and academia reviewing case studies and about responsible research conduct in seminar course
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AWARDS AND HONORS

Dan Black Student Award, CSUF Spring 2019

Dean’s List, CSUF Fall 2015, Fall 2016-Spring 2019
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VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

Rolling Hills Elementary School, Fullerton CA. Fall 2017, Spring 2018
• Exploring fun and easy science experiments with children

Oyster restoration Spring 2017

Supervisor: Dr. Danielle Zacherl, California State University, Fullerton
• Orange Country Coastkeeper; restoring native oyster population to the habitat of Newport Beach, CA
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SPECIAL SKILLS

Languages: Fluent in Spanish

Laboratory Safety Training, CSUF Fall 2017

Laboratory/Research Skills: Experimental design, Culturing techniques, Primer design, PCR, DNA extraction,
TA Cloning, Reverse Transcriptase (RT) PCR, Site-directed mutagenesis, Beta-glucuronidase assay, Confocal
microscopy, ImageJ/Fiji.