CV

KASEY MARKEL

(+1) 970-217-2682 ◾ KASEYMARKEL@GMAIL.COM ◾ Berkeley, CA

Profile

Plant synthetic biologist with 10 years of experience in molecular biology research. Passionate about improving global food security through agricultural biotechnology.

Education

PhD in Plant Biology
University of California, Berkeley, CA
July 2021 - July 2024
Advised by Patrick Shih
MS in Plant Biology
University of California, Davis, CA
September 2018 - June 2021
Advised by Patrick Shih
MPhil in Plant Sciences
University of Cambridge, Darwin College, Cambridge, UK
November 2018
Advised by Jim Haseloff
BS in Science! (Independent major)
University of Miami, College of Arts and Sciences, Coral Gables, FL
May 2017
Advised by Jeff Prince
Minors in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biochemistry

Core Skills

Scientific writing Type IIS cloning Data analysis using R and Python Bacterial transformation Confocal microscopy Electron microscopy (SEM & TEM) ImageJ / Fiji Biolistic transformation Agrobacterium-mediated plant transformation

Industry Roles

Gene editing lead
September 2024 - present
Semilla Nueva, Guatemala city, Guatemala
Directing and expanding Semilla Nueva's gene editing program and orchestrating our search for better candidate genes for the next round of experiments. Performing generalist tasks such as internal cost-benefit analyses and grant writing.
Gene editing consultant
October 2022 - August 2024
Semilla Nueva, Guatemala city, Guatemala
As gene editing lead, I have helped launch Semilla Nueva's maize gene editing program by identifying gene targets and facilitating collaborations with contract research organizations to perform the required transformations. While I don't work directly at the bench, my experience with laboratory biotechnology techniques including using CRISPR in plants has proven essential for understanding the needs of our collaborators and coordinating between stakeholders.
Gene editing workshop instructor
Winter 2024
Innovative Genomics Institute, Berkeley, California
As a workshop instructor, I taught laboratory techniques to regulatory officials from 5 continents and over 20 countries, many of whom had little to no previous experience at the bench. In addition to teaching basic biotechnology skills, we taught some techniques specific to gene editing with CRISPR/Cas9 systems, and facilitated conversations about regulatory policy surrounding the use of gene editing in agriculture around the world.

Academic Roles

Graduate Student Researcher
July 2021 - present
Plant Biosystems Design Laboratory, Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA
Plant synthetic biology tool development.
Graduate Student Researcher
April 2019 - June 2021
Patrick Shih Laboratory, University of California, Davis, CA
Plant synthetic biology and metabolic engineering.
Graduate Student Researcher
October 2017 - September 2018
Jim Haseloff Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
Project entailed improvement of biotechnological tools for plastid transformation in the nonvascular plant Marchantia polymorpha.
Strain Creation Technician
August - November 2016
Antoine Van Oijen Laboratory, University of Wollongong, Australia
Project entailed creation of bacterial strains missing components of DNA repair, which were then analyzed with single-molecule microscopy to understand repair pathways.
Rainforest Canopy Access Technician
June - July 2016
Institute for Tropical Ecology and Education, Bocas Del Toro, Panamá
Provided access and ensured safety to ecologists during fieldwork in the rainforest canopy.
Transmission Electron Microscopy Technician
August - December 2015
Miami Project to Cure Paralysis
Performed electron microscopy for any laboratory in the research program that required it. Tissues examined included brain, spinal cord, and muscular tissue from mice and rats.
Electron Microscopy Researcher
August 2014 - May 2017
Jeff Prince Laboratory, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL
Performed scanning and transmission electron microscopy in collaboration with several labs working in human brain cancer, plant floral development, and ctenophore physiology.
Research Assistant
August 2013 - May 2014
Sylvia Daunert Laboratory, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
Performed cloning, bacterial transformation, and protein purification for nutrient assays.

Awards

  • Corteva Frontier of Agriculture Scholar (2022)
  • Graduate Student Association Conference Travel Award (2019)
  • University of Miami Plus One Scholarship (2016)
  • University of Miami Provost's Honor Roll (2014 - 2016)
  • Isaac Bashevis Singer Scholarship (2013)
  • University of Miami Foote Fellowship (2013)

Leadership

  • Plant Biology Graduate Group Fundraising Officer (2020-2021)
  • Biotechnology Program Graduate Student Representative (2019-2021)
  • Plant Science Departmental Graduate Student Safety Officer (2017-2018)
  • President of University, Miami Rock Climbing Club (2015 - 2016)
  • Public Relations Coordinator, University of Miami Rock Climbing Club (2014 - 2015)
  • Activities Coordinator, University of Miami Microbiology Club (2014 - 2015)
  • Adventure Coordinator, Special Interest Housing (2014 - 2015)
  • Member of Blue Knights & Troopers World Class Drum and Bugle Corps (2013 & 2015)
  • Principal Percussionist, Fossil Ridge Wind Ensemble (2012-2013)
  • Section Leader, Fossil Ridge Front Ensemble (2011-2012)

Teaching

  • Secret Life of Plants Teaching Assistant, Berkeley, CA (Spring 2023)
  • Synthetic Biology Lab Teaching Assistant, Davis, CA (Spring 2021)
  • Ecology and Evolution Laboratory Teaching Assistant, Davis, CA (Spring 2019)
  • Cellular and Developmental Biology Laboratory Demonstrator, Cambridge, UK (Spring 2018)
  • Private STEM and standardized exam Tutor (Fall 2016 - Summer 2021)
  • Introductory Biology Workshop Leader, Miami, FL (Spring 2014, 2017)
  • Transmission Electron Microscopy Teaching Assistant, Miami, FL (Autumn 2016)

Publications

Markel, Kasey, Sabety, Jean, Wijesinghe, Shehan, Shih, Patrick. "Design and Characterization of a Transcriptional Repression Toolkit for Plants." ACS Synthetic Biology 13.10 (2024): 3137-3143.

Markel, Kasey, Lucas Waldburger, and Patrick M. Shih. "Expression of a mammalian RNA demethylase increases flower number and floral stem branching in Arabidopsis thaliana." Plant Direct 8.8 (2024): e70000.

Barnum, Collin R., Cho, Myeong-Je, Markel, Kasey, Shih, Patrick. "Engineering Brassica Crops to Optimize Delivery of Bioactive Products Postcooking." ACS Synthetic Biology (2024).

Hummel, Niklas, Markel, Kasey, Stefani, Jordan, Staller, Max V, Shih, Patrick. "Systematic identification of transcriptional activation domains from non-transcription factor proteins in plants and yeast." Cell Systems (2024)

Markel, Kasey, et al. "Cynipid wasps systematically reprogram host metabolism and restructure cell walls in developing galls." Plant Physiology 195.1 (2024): 698-712.

Hummel, Niklas FC, Zhou, Andy, Li, Baohua, Markel, Kasey, Ornelas, Izaiah, Shih, Patrick. "The trans-regulatory landscape of gene networks in plants." Cell Systems 14.6 (2023)

Sirirungruang, Sasilada, Kasey Markel, and Patrick M. Shih. "Plant-based engineering for production of high-valued natural products." Natural Product Reports 39.7 (2022): 1492-1509.

Markel, Kasey, and Patrick M. Shih. "From breeding to genome design: A genomic makeover for potatoes." Cell 184.15 (2021): 3843-3845.

Pan, Changtian, Wu, Xincheng, Markel, Kasey... Shih, Patrick, Qi, Yiping. "CRISPR–Act3.0 for highly efficient multiplexed gene activation in plants." Nature Plants 7.7 (2021): 942-953.

Frangedakis, Eftychios, Guzman-Chavez, Fernando, Rebmann, Marius, Markel, Kasey... Haseloff, Jim "Construction of DNA Tools for Hyperexpression in Marchantia Chloroplasts." ACS Synthetic Biology (2021).

Frangedakis, Eftychios, Markel, Kasey, Suaret-Gueto, Susana, Haseloff, Jim "Rapid and Modular DNA Assembly for Transformation of Marchantia Chloroplasts." Chloroplast Biotechnology. Humana, New York, NY, 2021. 343-365.

Yang, Xiaohan, Medford, June, Markel, Kasey... Tuskan, Gerald "Plant biosystems design research roadmap 1.0." BioDesign Research 2020 (2020).

Markel, Kasey, Belcher, Michael, and Shih, Patrick "Defining and engineering bioenergy crop ideotypes." Current Opinion in Biotechnology 2020

Guoliang Yuan, Md. Mahmudul Hassan, Degao Liu, Sung Don Lim, Won Cheol Yim, John C. Cushman, Kasey Markel, Patrick M. Shih, Haiwei Lu, David J. Weston, Jin-Gui Chen, Timothy J. Tschaplinski, Gerald A. Tuskan, Xiaohan Yang, "Biosystems Design to Accelerate C3-to-CAM Progression", BioDesign Research, 2020.

Frangedakis, Eftychios, Markel, Kasey, Sauret-Gueto, Susana and Haseloff, Susana "Systematic tools for reprogramming plant gene expression in a simple model, Marchantia polymorpha." ACS Synthetic Biology, 2020.

Markel, Kasey "Lack of evidence for associative learning in pea plants", eLife, 2020

Markel, Kasey "Prospective and retrospective rigour: scientific evaluation of environmental policy." Cambridge University Science and Policy Exchange (2018) Web.

Rebelo, Adriana P., Abrams, Alexander J., Cottenie, Ellen, Horga, Alexandro, Gonzalez, Michael, Bis, Dana M., Sanchez-Mejias, Avencia, Pinto, Milen, Buglo, Elena, Markel, Kasey... Zuchner, Stephen. "Cryptic Amyloidogenic Elements in the 3′ UTRs of Neurofilament Genes Trigger Axonal Neuropathy." The American Journal of Human Genetics 98.4 (2016): 597-614.

Markel, Kasey. "Miniature Marvels." University of Miami Scientifica 02.1 (2016): 17-18. Web.

For a narrative overview of my academic career and research, please visit my Academic Career page.