Curriculum vitae

PDF version of Zach Stevenson Curriculum Vitae

EDUCATION

University of Oregon, Eugene, OR

Ph.D. Candidate 2017-2023

Advisor: Patrick C. Phillips

University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT

B.S. Biology 2012

Advisor: Erik M. Jorgensen

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

University of Oregon, 2017-Present

Development of high throughput genome engineering technology for Caenorhabditis elegans for experimental evolution.

· Development of TARDIS for massive paralleled transgenesis in large populations of C. elegans.

· Streamlined CRISPR transgene integration via development of novel integration-specific selection.

· Experimental evolution of adaptive lineages within various anthelmintic selective conditions.

This work has resulted in three publications in eLife, Genome Biology and Evolution, and G3, along with a provisional patent. Projects are funded by The NIH training grant T32 GM007413-42, R01 AG56436, and R35 GM131838

Knudra Transgenics & AxumBio, 2013-2017

Research and development of CRISPR methodologies, novel biosensors, and high-thought compound testing.

· Created in partnership with many clients over 100 unique CRISPR projects.

· Generated parasitic daf-12 variant homologs in C. elegans and screened for agonist compounds.

· Implemented QUAS system for increased expression of fluorescence in biosensors.

University of Utah, 2010-2013

Research and development of optimized RNAi selective strategies and gene trap technologies

· Research in RNAi inactivation via transgenic flock house virus B2 protein.

· Research and development in randomized Mos1 transposon with fluorescent for identification of promoter elements.

HONORS AND AWARDS

NIH Predoctoral Training Fellow, University of Oregon, 2019-2021

Biology Undergraduate Research Program Award, University of Utah, 2011

Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program Award, University of Utah, 2010

SERVICE

Graduate Evolutionary Biology and Ecology Students: Seminar Coordinator, 2019-2022

Assisted in developing three public seminars at the University of Oregon on the topics of evolutionary biology, sciences and society, and forensic genetics, bring over 600 people in attendance across all seminars.

Reviewer for Evolution, 2023

PUBLICATIONS

Zachary C. Stevenson, Megan J. Moerdyk-Schauwecker, Stephen A. Banse, Dhaval S. Patel, Hang Lu, Patrick C. Phillips, (2023) High-Throughput Library Transgenesis in Caenorhabditis elegans via Transgenic Arrays Resulting in Diversity of Integrated Sequences (TARDIS) eLife12:RP84831 https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.84831.1

Kasimatis, K. R., Sánchez-Ramírez, S., & Stevenson, Z. C. (2021). Sexual Dimorphism through the Lens of Genome Manipulation, Forward Genetics, and Spatiotemporal Sequencing. Genome Biology and Evolution, 13(2). https://doi.org/10.1093/gbe/evaa243

Stevenson, Z. C., Moerdyk-Schauwecker, M. J., Jamison, B., & Phillips, P. C. (2020). Rapid Self-Selecting and Clone-Free Integration of Transgenes into Engineered CRISPR Safe Harbor Locations in Caenorhabditis elegans. G3 Genes|Genomes|Genetics, 10(10), 3775–3782. https://doi.org/10.1534/g3.120.401400

PATENTS

Stevenson, Z. C., Banse, S. A., & Phillips, P. C. (2021). Genetic data compression and methods of use (Patent No. US20210332387A1).

Hopkins, C.E, Trisha Brock, T., Marshall, T., Colasanto, M., Stevenson, Z.C., (2019) Homologous Recombination Reporter Construct and Uses Thereof (Patent No. US20210277421A1)

UNDERGRADUATE MENTORING

Graduate Mentor, Eleanor A. Laufer, 2021-Present

Selective Advantage of avr-14, avr-15 and glc-1 Knockout in Caenorhabditis elegans in High Ivermectin Conditions.

· Mentored several molecular biology skills such as PCR, gel electrophoresis, plasmid cloning, Illumina sequencing, and C. elegans CRISPR.

· Awarded two undergraduate research scholarships.

· Awarded NIH administrative supplement for summer research.

· Awarded Vice President for Research Undergraduate Fellowship.

· Presented posters at University of Oregon Undergraduate Research Symposium.

Graduate Mentor, Tiphanie R. Pfefferle, Summer 2019

Development of the PAM flexible xCas9 for CRISPR genome engineering in Caenorhabditis elegans.

· Mentored several molecular biology skills such as PCR, gel electrophoresis, plasmid cloning, and C. elegans CRISPR as part of the Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR)

· Presented poster at University of Oregon SPUR Symposium.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Graduate Employee, BI330/331, Spring 2018

Microbiology Lecture & Lab Instructor Assistant
Instructors: Dr. Adam Saunders & Dr. Alan Kelly
University of Oregon

Provided homework assistance, office hours, and grading for microbiology lecture. For microbiology lab, taught students several microbiological assays such as microscope use, gram staining, growth curves, and general microbe culture.

Graduate Employee, BI123 Biology of Cancer, Winter 2018

Discussion Section and Lab Assistant
Instructor Dr. Alan Kelly
University of Oregon

Provided additional lecture on topics covered from the primary class. Taught students on several lab techniques such as microscope usage and slide preparation. Also taught hands-on experiments showing the detrimental effects of ultraviolet light on cells.

Graduate Employee, BI214 General Biology IV: Mechanisms, Fall2017

Discussion Section and Lab Assistant
Instructor Dr. Alan Kelly
University of Oregon

Provided homework assistance, office hours, and grading for lecture. For lab, lectured and taught students several molecular biology assays such as microscope use, micropipetting, gel electrophoresis, and transformation.

Teaching and Lab Assistant, Laboratory Techniques, Summer 2012

Biology Undergraduate Research Program Lab Assistant and Discussion Leader
Instructor: Dr. Rose Mary
University of Utah

Worked with a class 20 undergraduate students, teaching various molecular cloning technologies and protein analysis. Taught documentation skills and lab safety procedures.

PRESENTATIONS

Zachary C. Stevenson, Megan J. Moerdyk-Schauwecker, Stephen A. Banse, Dhaval S. Patel, Hang Lu, Patrick C. Phillips, (2023) High-Throughput Library Transgenesis in Caenorhabditis elegans via Transgenic Arrays Resulting in Diversity of Integrated Sequences (TARDIS). Oral Presentation. 24th International C. elegans Conference, Glasgow, Scotland.

Zachary C. Stevenson, Eleanor A. Laufer, Patrick C. Phillips (2022), Quantitative High-Throughput Measurement of Selection in an Animal System via Novel Library Transgenesis. Poster. 24th International C. elegans Conference, Glasgow, Scotland.

Zachary C. Stevenson, Eleanor A. Laufer, Patrick C. Phillips (2022), Quantitative High-Throughput Measurement of Selection in an Animal System via Novel Library Transgenesis. Oral Presentation. EVO-WIBO, Fort Worden State Park.

Zachary C. Stevenson, Eleanor A. Laufer, Patrick C. Phillips (2022), Quantitative High-Throughput Measurement of Selection in an Animal System via Novel Library Transgenesis. Oral Presentation. Evolutionary Biology of Caenorhabditis and Other Nematodes, McMaster University, Hamilton.

Zachary C. Stevenson, Megan J. Moerdyk-Schauwecker, Brennen Jamison, & Patrick C. Phillips (2021). Rapid Self-Selecting and Clone-Free Integration of Transgenes into Engineered CRISPR Safe Harbor Locations in Caenorhabditis elegans. Poster. 23rd International C. elegans Conference. Online.

Zachary C. Stevenson, Megan J. Moerdyk-Schauwecker, Brennen Jamison, & Patrick C. Phillips (2020). Rapid Self-Selecting and Clone-Free Integration of Transgenes into Engineered CRISPR Safe Harbor Locations in Caenorhabditis elegans. Oral Presentation. Evolutionary Biology of Caenorhabditis and Other Nematodes. Online.

Zachary C. Stevenson, Megan J. Moerdyk-Schauwecker, Brennen Jamison, & Patrick C. Phillips (2019). Rapid Self-Selecting and Clone-Free Integration of Transgenes into Engineered CRISPR Safe Harbor Locations in Caenorhabditis elegans. Poster. Genome Engineering: CRISPR Frontiers, Cold Springs Harbor Laboratory, NY.

Zachary C. Stevenson, M. Wayne Davis, Erik M. Jorgensen (2012) High Throughput Mutations in C. elegans, Poster. National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR), Weber State University, Ogden, UT.

Zachary C. Stevenson, M. Wayne Davis, Erik M. Jorgensen (2012) Genetic Selection of Transgenic C. elegans, Poster. Biology Undergraduate Research Program, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT.

Zachary C. Stevenson, M. Wayne Davis, Erik M. Jorgensen (2011) Genetic Selection of Transgenic C. elegans, Poster. Biology Undergraduate Research Program, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT.

Zachary C. Stevenson, M. Wayne Davis, Erik M. Jorgensen (2011) Genetic Selection of Transgenic C. elegans, Poster. Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT.