Gamze AKARSU

• Plans and conducts experiments to characterize fruit fly phenotypes in Robinow Syndrome disease model.
• Utilized advanced technical skills and expertise to troubleshoot complex experiments and implement solutions.
• Continued collaboration with scientists within and outside the university for manuscript preparation.
• Managed household errands and trained newer members of the research team to develop their skill sets.
• Communicated research and analytical findings to the research team by delivering detailed reports and actively joining weekly meetings.

Thesis Advisor: Esther M. Verheyen, PhD

• Collaborated with other professionals and trainees to expand experiment scope and utilize more resources.
• Attended academic conferences and meetings to stay abreast of new theories and findings, presented posters and gave talks.
• Performed microscopic examinations of tissues, organs and organisms.
• Managed data collection, entry, and analysis.
• Participated in paper revision experiments and published experimental findings.

Course Title: Undergraduate Introductory Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Laboratory

• Tracked attendance, projects, labs, reports and other class and student metrics.
• Graded student assignments and quizzes, providing feedback on their performance.
• Provided individualized instruction to meet the needs of struggling students.
• Assisted preparation and distribution of necessary lab equipment before and during each class.

Advisor: Arzu Çelik Fuss, PhD

• Performed PCR screening of the Sep2 mutant Drosophila lines
• Demonstrated that the deletion cause a significant decrease in the number of NMJ boutons in L3 larvae
• Maintained and balanced the mutant lines, performed genetic recombination
• Showed that Sep2 localizes mostly in the presynaptic membranes in larval muscle 12-13
• Revealed that the deletion of Septin2 gene causes axon misguidance phenotypes in the mushroom body

Advisor: Esra Battaloğlu, PhD

• Set up the Drosophila experiments (embryo collection, larval dissections, virgin collection), and maintained the fly lines necessary for the course.
• Delivered the mini lectures on the Drosophila techniques used in the experiments.
• Instructed and monitored students in the use and care of equipment and materials.
• Graded assignments and tests and documented results into filing systems.

Advisor: Patrik Verstreken, PhD

• Contributed to the analysis of the effects of the mutations on axonal growth in differentiated neuronal stem cells
• Balanced the Parkinson’s Disease associated mutant fly lines determined via EMS mutagenesis, performed genetic recombination
• Screened the mutant lines by conducting ERG recordings
• Showed that the mutations caused a reduction in the autophagy by using live imaging in NMJ boutons
• Participated in team discussions about potential solutions to issues encountered during the course of investigations.