Randall V. Collura

Home: 518-935-2549 1429 Delaware Tpk.

Mobile: 617-290-3137 Delmar NY 12054

Work: 518-473-2434

EMail: randallcollura <at> yahoo <dot> com

Email: rvc05 <at> wadsworth <dot> org

Education:

Harvard University, Ph.D. in Biological Anthropology, June 2006

West Virginia University, MS in Molecular Biology, May 1991

Excelsior College (NY), BS in Biology, September 1984

Current Position:

December 2009 - present Postdoc with Dr. Haydeh Payami

NY State Department of Health Wadsworth Center

150 New Scotland Ave, Albany NY 12208

Post-Doctoral Research Experience:

June 2006 - June 2008 Postdoc with Dr. Maryellen Ruvolo at Harvard

September 2008 - present Visiting Scholar with Dr. Caro-Beth Stewart at UAlbany

Research Experience:

Dissertation title: "Molecular Evolution of Genes Related to Primate Encephalization and Energetics", advisor Maryellen Ruvolo.

Research projects at Harvard University:

1) A comparison of protein structural (genomic data) and expression (microarray) differences between humans and chimpanzees.

2) The evolution of brain-size related genes in the primates.

3) A study of the evolution of mitochondrial DNA in the primates. One partial mitochondrial genome (Aotus trivirgatus) was sequenced for this project.

4) Primate Y-chromosome phylogenetic analysis (ZFY gene).

Research project at The University at Albany:

Primate mitochondrial phylogenetic analysis (cytochrome b gene).

Research project at West Virginia University:

Developmental expression of actin genes in the sea urchin embryo.

Teaching Experience:

NERFI – Northeast Regional Forensics Institute 2007-2009:

DNA Academy fundamentals lecturer – students included MA & NY State Police forensics recruits.

Albany College of Pharmacy 2008:

Adjunct evaluator for Seminar II

Harvard University 1999-2008:

Science B59 (Genes and Human Diversity), Science B29 (Evolution of Human

Nature) and Quantitative Reasoning 34, (Counting People: Demography and

Human Affairs) – all tutorial sections for large core classes.

Anthropology 97y (Sophomore Tutorial in Biological Anthropology – now

Human Evolutionary Biology) – a small class for students entering the major.

West Virginia University 1988-1990:

Tutorial/lab sections for large introductory biology classes for biology majors.

Related Employment/Research Experience:

Harvard University - laboratory of Dr. Maryellen Ruvolo.

PhD Graduate student August 1997-June 2006. Responsibilities included growing and maintaining primate cell lines, extracting DNA and mRNA from cells and tissues, PCR and sequencing, DNA sequences analyses using phylogenic and statistical software, writing and organizing material for research papers, general lab maintenance and oversight including ordering supplies and equipment, and computer support including maintaining and upgrading software.

Postdocotoral fellow June 2006-June 2008 Responsibilities included Research on mitochondrial evolution, and continued research on genomics of brain evolution

The University at Albany (SUNY) - laboratory of Dr. Caro-Beth Stewart.

Lab manager 1991-1997. Responsibilities included ordering supplies and equipment, maintaining stock solutions, keeping bacterial and yeast cultures, general maintenance, and computer support. Operated a DNA sequencing facility for the biology department including setting up runs, distributing sequence data and maintaining the equipment. Assisted in setting policies and coordinating the use of the machine by other members of the department.

Visiting Scholar September 2008- present. Responsibilities included grant preparation, analysis of AIDs-related genes in humans and primates.

Publications:

K. Praveen Karanth, Lalji Singh, Randall V. Collura and Caro-Beth Stewart (2008)

Molecular phylogeny and biogeography of langurs and leaf monkeys of South Asia.

Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 46(2): 683-694

Tao Sun, Randall V. Collura, Maryellen Ruvolo and Christopher A. Walsh (2006) Genomic and Evolutionary Analyses of Asymmetrically Expressed Genes in Human Fetal Left and Right Cerebral Cortex. Cerebral Cortex Jul;16(Suppl 1):i18-i25.

Russell J Ferland, Wafaa Eyaid, Randall V Collura, Laura D Tully, R Sean Hill, Doha Al-Nouri, Ahmed Al-Rumayyan, Meral Topcu, Generoso Gascon, Adria Bodell, Yin Yao Shugart, Maryellen Ruvolo and Christopher A Walsh (2004) Abnormal cerebellar development and axonal decussation due to mutations in AHI1 in Joubert syndrome. Nature Genetics 36(9): 1008-1013.

Natalay Kouprina, Adam Pavlicek, Ganeshwaran H. Mochida, Gregory Solomon, William Gersch, Young-Ho Yoon, Randall Collura, Maryellen Ruvolo, J. Carl Barrett, C. Geoffrey Woods, Christopher A. Walsh, Jerzy Jurka, Vladimir Larionov (2004) Accelerated Evolution of the ASPM Gene Controlling Brain Size Begins Prior to Human Brain Expansion. PLoS Biology 2(5): 653-663.

Collura, R.V., Auerbach, M.R. & Stewart, C.-B. (1996) A quick, direct method that can differentiate expressed mitochondrial genes from their nuclear pseudogenes. Current Biology 6(10): 1337-1339.

Collura, R.V. & Stewart, C.-B. (1995) Insertions and duplications of mitochondrial DNA in the nuclear genomes of Old World monkeys and hominoids. Nature 378: 485-489.

Awards and Fellowships:

Cora DuBois Fellowship 2005

Jacob K Javits Fellowship US DOE 2001-2004

Sigma Xi, Harvard Chapter Scientific Recognition Award 2000