Gregory Ian Ball
Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Graduate Department gball
at ucsd dot edu
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Education |
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[2007-current]
Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC □ Ph.D. (ongoing)
Marine Chemistry & Geochemistry
Advisor: Prof. Lihini Aluwihare [2003-2007] UC □
B.A. – High Honors in Geology,
□ B.S. – Chemical Biology, |
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research/Work experience |
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[ Undergraduate Student
Researcher
Advised by: Dr. Gary Andersen (LBL) Project 1: Molecular genetics of climate change – quantifying variations in plant metabolic gene expression (rt-qPCR) in response to changes in climatic conditions, soil nutrient availability, and soil microbial community diversity and composition as measured via the DOE 16S PhyloChip diversity microarray to aid in more effectively modeling the response of the terrestrial biosphere to changing climatic conditions. Project 2: Honors
Thesis Research advised by Prof. Jillian Banfield
(UC Berkeley) and Dr. Gary Andersen (LBL) Molecular genetics and
expression profiling of Ferroplasma acidarmanus
(fer1), an acidophile which grows at pH~0-1 in toxic heavy metal
concentrations. mRNA expression array analysis of
fer1 transcriptome under chemo and mixotrophic
growth conditions to examine mechanisms of iron metabolism and differences in
the cellular physiologies of fer1’s predominant metabolic growth states. [Winter Break 05-06] Chevron
Corporation
International Student Intern, Subsurface
Technology Group Research project examining
competitive market stances between competing energy operators in [2003-2005] Undergraduate Researcher Advised by: Prof.
Terry Machen, Molecular and Cell Biology □ Research
examining aberrant physiologies and molecular signaling pathways in cystic
fibrosis-affected human airway epithelial cells. Investigated the interplay
of cytosolic redox state and cellular inflammation (via NFκB proxy) and the
mediating roles played by metabolic derivatives of arachidonic (ω-6) and
docosahexaenoic (ω-3) acids such as prostaglandins, resolvins,
and reactive oxygen species. □ Awarded
proposal-based grad-level fellowship from Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to
complete work. [Summer 2003] Undergraduate Researcher Advised by: Prof. Deirdre Meldrum, Electrical Co-developed method to controllably
immobilize living cells within μm-scale
parameters using lectins applied via polydimethyl siloxane stamps
molded from custom-designed photolithographically-etched
silicon wafers for use in miniaturized, high throughput assay processes (e.g.
lab-on-a-chip applications). [Summer 2001] Internship, Malaria Genetics
Research
Advised by: Prof. Carol Sibley,
Genome Sciences Using yeast genetics to elucidate drug
resistance-conferring point mutations in the dihydrofolate
reductase (DHFR) pathway of the malaria-causing
parasite, plasmodium falciparum. [Aug 2000- Aug 2001] Student Field Researcher/Educational
Outreach Coordinator Howard Hughes Medical Foundation-funded
program for biological and chemical monitoring of Northwest salmon habitat.
Auxiliary responsibilities included development of environmental science
curricula and lesson plans and subsequent educational outreach and teaching
in Seattle-area schools. [Jan 2004-Sept 2007] Barrows House International
Manager Responsible for 25room grad/undergrad
international student housing complex at UC Berkeley. Managerial
responsibilities included: house finances and accounting, tenant selection,
house and LAN network maintenance/repairs, mediator between building
ownership, tenants, and the city of |
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Publications/Posters |
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Tracy H.
Fung, Gregory I. Ball, Sarah C. McQuaide, Shih-hui Chao,
Alejandro Colman-Lerner, Mark R. Holl, Deirdre R. Meldrum, (2004). Microprinting
of on-chip cultures: patterning of yeast cell microarrays using concanavalin-A adhesion. ASME
International Mechanical Engineering Congress, IMECE2004-60866. Stéphanie M.
Bernard, Ian Ball, Sam St. Clair,
Sarah Placella, Rohit
Salve, Eoin L. Brodie,
Mary Firestone, Margaret S. Torn, David Ackerly and
Gary L. Andersen. A molecular approach to understanding plant response to
global climate change in a Californian grassland ecosystem (Poster) |
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Awards
received |
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National Defense Science
& Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship (2008); 3yrs grad support ·
Scripps Institution of
Oceanography Director’s Fellowship (2007); 1yr grad support ·
Charles H. Ramsden Award
for study in the Earth Sciences (2007); $3000 ·
UC Berkeley Phi Kappa
Sigma Erdelatz Memorial Prize (2007);
$500 ·
Cystic Fibrosis
Foundation Trainee Research Fellowship Award – for independent research
project at UC Berkeley Molecular & Cell Biology Lab, 2004; $1500 ·
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Chevron “Reach”
Scholarship Award for study at UC Berkeley (2003); $500 |
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