J'Lynn works with Dr. Dayan doing bioassays and other plant pathology lab work.

Education

12/95 M.S. Horticulture; Minor in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Mississippi State University; Mississippi State, MS

Thesis: Initial Studies in the Isolation of the Root-Knot Nematode

Resistance Gene in Inbred Corn Line Mp307.

5/77 B.S. Ornamental Horticulture

Mississippi State University; Mississippi State, MS

Work Experience
6/01-Present Biological Science Laboratory Technician

USDA-ARS-NPURU; University, MS; Dr. Scott R. Baerson, Supervisor

8/00-6/01 Associate Research and Development Staff

National Center for Natural Products Research; School of Pharmacy;
Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Science; University of Mississippi;
Dr. Samir A. Ross, Supervisor

· Perform quantitative analyses of medicinal plant tissues

· Initiate and maintain in vitro cultures of medicinal plants; optimize
micropropagation protocols for medicinal plants

· Maintain and analyze data and literature

· Cultivate and breed medicinal plants to increase potency levels of active
compounds

· Assist in the design of new plant tissue culture lab for cloning and molecular
studies of medicinal plants

· Conform to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) laboratory protocols

8/99-8/00 Senior Research Technician

Department of Medicinal Chemistry; School of Pharmacy; University of Mississippi;
Dr. John K. Buolamwini, Supervisor

· Assisted in the design and optimization of research protocols involving the use of
antisense oligonucleotides to downregulate the gene expression of nucleoside
transporters in mammalian cancer cells

· Assisted in the design and optimization of research protocols involving the
identification of natural and synthetic compounds exhibiting inhibition or blocking
of nucleoside transport in mammalian cancer cells

· Executed said protocols and assisted in the analysis of results of same

· Optimized high throughput assay for identifying nucleoside transport inhibition in
adherent cancer cells

1/96-6/99 Lab Director, Technician, and Horticulturist

Orchids of Oxford/ Rolling Hills Plant Farm; 32 County Road 311; Oxford, MS

38655; Anne W. Thompson, Owner

Lab Director

· Established and optimized micropropagation techniques for commercial production of orchids

· Conducted research and development of protocols for asymbiotic germination, protocorm
proliferation, callus generation, somatic embryogenesis, adventitious regeneration, and rapid
clonal multiplication of orchid species and hybrids

· Launched and managed plant tissue culture lab for commercial production of orchids

· Designed and implemented an in-house program for pollination, data collection, seed
harvesting and storage of, primarily, species orchids

· Participated in an international species orchid seed exchange program promoting
production of species orchids through asymbiotic germination to aid orchid
preservation and conservation by reducing the demand for wild orchids harvested
from native habitats

Technician

· Pollinated orchids for selfings, sibling crosses, out-crosses and hybrid crosses

· Tracked capsule maturity and harvested orchid seeds

· Initiated asymbiotic germination of orchid seeds and made transfers to deflasking stage

· Deflasked orchid seedlings and maintained compots in greenhouse

· Performed tissue culture stages 0-4 for Phalaenopsis cloning program

Horticulturist

· Consultant for institutional, commercial and residential clients

· Performed landscape design, installation and maintenance, nursery management,
and greenhouse production and maintenance

· Scheduled and implemented program for fertilization, pruning, irrigation, and insect,
disease, and weed management for landscape clients, woody plant nursery
and greenhouse range

· Supervised crop scheduling for seasonal green products, seed and vegetative
propagation of annual bedding plants, perennials, tropical foliage, and woody plant
materials for wholesale and retail sales

1/93-12/95 Graduate Research Assistant

Department of Plant and Soil Science; College of Agriculture; Mississippi State

University; Dr. Nancy A. Reichert, Advisor

Plant molecular biology research

· RNA/DNA extraction, purification and quantification

· mRNA isolation

· cDNA library construction

· Subtractive hybridization

· Differential screening

· Phagemid DNA preparation

· Subcloning

· Radiolabeled probe construction

· Northern and Southern analyses

· In vivo translation and protein preparation

· One- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis

· Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation

· Short-term and long-term bacterial stock maintenance

Plant tissue culture research

· Micropropagation, rapid clonal multiplication, organogenesis, adventitious regeneration,
and somaclonal variation of various agricultural and horticultural crop plants

· Developed protocol for student laboratory exercise in in vitro potato microtuberization

Greenhouse/field research

· Greenhouse bedding plant production

· Field-grown perennial cut flower production

· Alternative growing media amendments studies

5/88-12/92 Horticulturist, Office Manager

Southern Landscape Management, Inc.; Jackson, MS; Mark S. Robinson, Owner

Horticulturist

· Designed, installed, and maintained commercial and residential landscapes

· Designed, installed, and maintained seasonal and perennial color beds

· Consultant for residential and commercial clients

· Supervised landscape crews

Office Manager

· Performed job cost estimates, bidding, sales and plant procurement for landscape accounts

· Kept full set of books including general ledger, payroll, accounts payable, accounts
receivable, profit and loss statements, inventory and job cost statements

10/80-7/82 Executive Secretary

Press Office; Office of the Governor; State of Mississippi; Jackson, MS

· Assistant to the Press Secretary

· Initial contact person for local and national press

· Composed routine correspondence and press releases

· Assisted legislative staff by coordinating constituency file for education reform
and economic development issues

10/78-8/80 Legal Secretary

Watkins Pyle Ludlam Winter and Stennis, Attorneys at Law; Jackson, MS

· Prepared industrial development revenue bond documents, securities filings, and
pleadings before federal, state, and local regulatory agencies

· Performed routine secretarial duties

8/76-8/78 Landscape Horticulturist

Campus Landscape Department; Mississippi State University; Mississippi State, MS

· Designed and implemented an annual program of chemical pest and weed control,
fertilization, pruning, and irrigation for 4,000 acre campus

· Designed, installed and maintained seasonal annual plantings

· Supervised two work crews of three to five people per crew

Teaching Experience

5/00-8/00 Mentor

NIH Summer Program for Short Term Training for Minority Students in cardiovascular
research; Department of Medicinal Chemistry; School of Pharmacy; University of Mississippi

· Train one student in assaying natural products to identify nucleoside transport inhibitors

· Train one student in the use of antisense oligonucleotides to downregulate gene
expression of nucleoside transporters in mammalian cancer cells

· Train both students in good lab practice, aseptic technique, mammalian cell culture,
data management, culture media preparation, solution preparation to specified molar
concentrations

1/94-12/95 Graduate Teaching Assistant

Department of Plant and Soil Science; Mississippi State University

Courses Introduction to Plant Science (laboratory)

Plant Tissue Culture (laboratory)

· Prepared materials required for laboratory exercises

· Presented lecture and/or demonstration for laboratory exercises

· Assisted students in performance of laboratory exercises

· Assisted professor in exam preparation and grading

8/76-5/77 Teaching Assistant

Horticulture Department, Mississippi State University

Courses Nursery Management (laboratory)

Plant Propagation (laboratory)

· Prepared materials required for laboratory exercises

· Assisted professor in demonstration of laboratory techniques

· Assisted students in performance of laboratory exercises

Technical Skills/Instrumentation

· Aseptic technique

· Plant tissue culture techniques

· Molecular biology techniques

· Mammalian cancer cell culture

· Data management - databases, spreadsheets, statistics, laboratory
manuals, digital photo galleries

· Flow cytometry

· Electrophoresis - agarose, SDS-PAGE, Isoelectric focusing

· Fluorescent plate reader

· Spectrophotometry

· Gas chromatography

· Digital photography, film photography

· Fertilizer, pesticide, and herbicide calculation and application

Computer Skills/Software (PC and Mac)

· Windows 3.x, 95, 98, NT

· Microsoft Office 2000 - Word, Excel, Power Point

· Microsoft Access 5.0

· WordPerfect 7.0

· Adobe Photoshop 5.0

· Adobe PhotoDeluxe 2.7

· GraphPad Prism 2.0

Special Training and Certification

· Radiation Safety Training, 1999-2000, 1993-1995

· Biological Safety Training, 1999-2000

· Chemical Safety Training, 1999-2000

· Licensed Landscape Gardener, MS, 1988-1995

· Licensed Pesticide Applicator, MS, 1988-1995

· Licensed Weed Control Specialist, MS, 1988-1995

Publications

1. Howell, J., S. Dueitt, and S. Newman. 1993. Kenaf fiber core as a vermiculite substitute
in peat-based media for growing greenhouse bedding plants.

Proc. SNA Research 38th Annual Rep. pp. 59-62.

2. Dueitt, S., J. Howell, and S. Newman. 1993. Rice hulls as a vermiculite

substitute in peat-based media for growing greenhouse bedding plants. HortScience 28: 216.

3. Powell, K., J. Howell, and J. Buolamwini. 2000. ES nucleoside transporter

binding of natural extracts. NIH NHLBI STTMS Cardiovascular Biomedical Research
Program Poster Session.

4. Stewart, M., R. Buford, J. Howell, and J. Buolamwini. 2000. Synthesis and ES nucleoside
transporter activity of S⁶-(4-Picolyl-N-Oxo)Mercaptopurine Riboside. NIH NHLBI STTMS
Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Program Poster Session.

Presentations

1. J. Howell and N. Reichert. 1995. The improvement of horticultural crops

through corn research. Norman F. Childers Graduate Student Paper

Competition, Southern Region -American Society for Horticultural Science;

New Orleans, LA.

2. J. Howell and A. Thompson. 1999. Micropropagation of orchids. Memphis Orchid
Society, invited speaker; Memphis, TN.

3. J. Howell. 1998. Orchids from test tubes. Oxford Garden Club, invited speaker; Oxford, MS.

4. J. Howell. 1999. Plant tissue culture of orchids. Meridian Master Gardener's Tour, host
and speaker; Oxford, MS.

Affiliations and Awards

· Second place award for Norman F. Childers Graduate Student Paper Competition, 2/95

· Graduate Student Council, 1994-1995

· Member, Gamma Sigma Delta, honorary agricultural fraternity, since 1976

· B.S. conferred With Distinction, 6/77

· President's Scholar 5 semesters

· Dean's Scholar 2 semesters

Home | Projects | Personnel | Publications