Alyssa Shepard, PhD

Curriculum Vitae

Education

Doctor of Philosophy, Cancer Biology

Scripps Research
Thesis: “Investigating the Tumor Resistance of the Naked Mole-Rat”
Mentor: Joseph Kissil, PhD

Master of Science, Cancer Cell & Molecular Biology

University of Leicester, Fulbright Fellowship
Thesis: “Exosomes”
Mentor: Jacqui Shaw, PhD

Bachelor of Science, Biochemistry & Music

Central Michigan University
Honors Thesis: “Something about alzheimer’s”
Mentor: Michelle Steinhilb, PhD

Research Experience

  • Postdoctoral Fellow, Moffitt Cancer Center, 2022 – Current
  • PhD Candidate, Scripps Research, 2017-2022
  • MSc Research Student, University of Leicester, 2016-2017
  • Undergraduate Research Assistant, Central Michigan University, 2013-2016
  • Undergraduate Intern, Van Andel Research Institute, 2015
  • Stockroom Assistant, Central Michigan University, 2016

Writing Experience

  • Science Writer, Pet Cancer Foundation, 2024 – Current
  • Freelance Science Writer, Contractor, 2024 – Current
  • Science Communicator, Cats ‘N Lab Coats, 2018 – Current
  • Column Writer, Moffitt Cancer Center, 2023 – Current
  • Freelance Writer, Massive Science, 2018 – 2021
  • TEDMED Research Scholar, TEDMED, 2020 – 2021

Academic Publications

  • Shepard, A, et al. An autochthonous model of lung cancer in the Naked Mole-Rat (Heterocephalus glaber). BioRxiv. 2023.
  • Ragland, N, Shepard, A, et al. Housing and husbandry alternative for naked mole rat colonies used in research settings. J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci. 2022.
  • Doherty, J, Shepard, A, et al. Validation of bromodomain and extraterminal proteins as therapeutic targets in neurofibromatosis type 2. Neurooncol Adv. 2022; 4(1): vdac072.
  • Buffenstein, R, Shepard, A, et al. The naked truth: a comprehensive clarification and classification of current ‘myths’ in naked mole-rat biology. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc. 2022; 97(1): 115-140.
  • Shepard, A*, Hoxha, S*, Troutman, S, Kareta, MS, and Kissil, JL. Transcriptional regulation of miR-30a by YAP impacts PTPN13 and KLF9 levels and Schwann cell proliferation. J Biol Chem. 2021; 297(2): 100962. *Denotes equal contribution.
  • Shepard, A and Kissil, JL. The use of non-traditional models in the study of cancer resistance-the case of the naked mole rat. Oncogene. 2020; 39(28), 5083-5097.
  • Hoxha, S*, Shepard, A*, Troutman, S, Diao, H, Doherty, J, Janiszewska, M, et al. YAP-mediated recruitment of YY1 and EZH2 represses transcription of key cell cycle regulators. Cancer Research. 2020; 80(12): 2512-2522. *Denotes equal contribution

Science Writing

  • Cats ‘N Lab Coats, personal blog
  • “Ambitious gene editing needs an ambitious pair of scissors”; Massive Science/TEDMED
  • “Rear Admiral Amazing Grace Hopper taught computers English.”; Massive Science
  • “We can detect and treat it better than ever, but preventing cancer is still far out of reach”; Massive Science
  • “Do naked mole rats hold the answers to cancer prevention and aging?”; Massive Science

Presentations

  • Animal Models of Cancer 2023, Lisbon, Portugal
    • “An autochthonous model of lung cancer in the naked mole-rat”
  • Bioengineering at Moffitt Summit 2023, Tampa, FL
    • “Investigating the tumor resistance of the naked mole-rat”
  • Moffitt Scientific Symposium 2022, Tampa, FL
    • “Investigating the tumor resistance of the naked mole-rat”
  • Master’s Defense 2017, Leicester, England
    • “Exosomes in liquid biopsies: A pilot study comparing exosome-derived information to cfDNA” 
  • US-UK Fulbright Endcap 2017, Edinburgh, Scotland
    • “Vesicles of the future: Exosomes and cancer research”
  • Posters at the Capitol 2016, Lansing, MI
    • “Examining the intracellular breakdown of toxic tau fragments” 
  • American Chemical Society National Conference 2016, San Diego, CA
    • “Collaboration is key: The pros and cons of working with the local section on chemistry outreach” 
  • Popular Culture Association National Conference 2016, Seattle, WA
    • “Harry Potter and the wizard blood-type: Analyzing magical inheritance” 
  • Society for neuroscience national meeting 2015, Chicago, IL
    • “Examining the intracellular breakdown of toxic tau fragments” 
  • Van Andel Research Institute Internship Endcap 2015, Grand Rapids, MI
    • “Detection of miR-21 target expression in specific cell types” 
  • National Collegiate Honors Council Conference 2015, Denver, CO
    • “Promoting challenge by choice: An experiential project reinforcing Honors values in the first year seminar” 

Awards

  • Best Seminar Senior Trainee, Moffitt Cancer Center Molecular Oncology RIP, 2023
  • EMBO Molecular Medicine Poster Prize, Animal Model of Cancer Conference, 2023
  • Distinguished Lecture Series Travel Award, Moffitt Cancer Center, 2023
  • Best Seminar Junior Trainee, Moffitt Cancer Center Molecular Oncology RIP, 2022
  • Scheller Graduate Student Fellowship, Scripps Research, 2021
  • Fulbright Study Grant, US-UK Fulbright Commission, 2016
  • Wendell and Marcia Dilling Chemistry Endowed Scholarship, Central Michigan University Chemistry Department, 2015
  • Malcolm L. Filson Endowed Scholarship, Central Michigan University Chemistry Department, 2014
  • Undergraduate Research and Creative Endeavors Grant, Central Michigan University, 2013
  • Summer Scholars Research Grant, Central Michigan University, 2013
  • Centralis Scholar Scholarship, Central Michigan University Honors Program, 2012