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University of California, Santa Barbara |
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EMPLOYMENT:
Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara CA (2008-present)
Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA (2003-2008)
Advisor: Steven M. Block, Departments of Applied Physics and Biology
EDUCATION:
Ph.D. Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA (1999–2003)
Thesis topic: Mechanical and microstructural properties of biological materials
Advisor: David A. Weitz, Department of Physics
M.S. Physics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA (1997–99)
Advisor: David A. Weitz, Department of Physics
B.S. Physics, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA (1993–97; highest honors)
Advisor: H. Daniel Ou-Yang, Department of Physics
Minor: Science Writing
INDEPENDENT FUNDING:
Career Award at the Scientific Interface, Burroughs Wellcome Fund (2005-present)
$500,000 award providing 2 years of postdoctoral and 3 years of supplemental faculty funding
Postdoctoral Fellowship, Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation (2004)
RESEARCH ACHIEVEMENTS:
Measuring the nanomechanical properties of the mitotic kinesin Eg5 (2005-present)
Developed robust optical trapping assay to measure single-molecule properties of Eg5. Established motor is mechanically processive, even under hindering load, and designed model to describe ATP- and force-dependent kinetic mechanism. Currently investigating what controls processivity in Eg5 and other kinesin family members.Constructed novel optical trapping apparatus for high-resolution measurements of motor proteins (2007-08)
Designed and built novel optical trapping apparatus that employs twin electro-optic deflectors (EODs) to steer laser beam with ultra-high precision. When compared to conventional devices, the EOD-based optical trap shows significant improvements in transmittance, pointing stability, and linearity of drive signal response.Characterized mechanical properties of cytoplasm (2001-03)
Measured the microstructure and viscoelastic response of Xenopus egg cytoplasmic extracts and living mammalian cells using a combination of microrheology, macrorheology and imaging techniques. Maintained operational control of Harvard’s Center for Imaging and Mesoscale Structures cell culture and microscope facility.Studied the mechanical environment of a growing tumor in vitro (2002-03)
Investigated stress exerted by a growing multicellular brain tumor within a three-dimensional gel using microrheology and particle tracking techniques. Measured local changes in gel microstructure and cell traction forces during tumor expansion.Developed multi-particle tracking techniques to probe structured materials (1998-2003)
Developed video-based multi-particle tracking methods to extend microrheology techniques to a new class of heterogeneous materials. Demonstrated that correlated movements of pairs of separated particles report macroscopic rheology, even in locally heterogeneous samples. Applied careful statistical tests to precisely compare neighboring probes and measure variations in local viscoelasticity and/or microstructure. Engineered polymer-coated and protein-resistant colloidal particles and demonstrated that controlling particle-protein interactions is critical to properly interpreting microrheology results.Built unique microscope-based light scattering apparatus (1998-2001)
Designed and implemented microscope-based light scattering experiment that used bright field imaging to position laser illumination in heterogeneous materials. Measured structure, organization and optical properties of biological tissue.Developed novel oscillating optical tweezers technique (1995-97)
Constructed oscillating optical tweezers experiment to measure the microrheological properties of polymer solutions and gels. Studied the local viscous and elastic properties of telechelic polymers and bridging-flocculation behavior of polymer-colloid mixtures.
HONORS & AWARDS
PUBLICATIONS
Michael T. Woodside and Megan T. Valentine. “Single-molecule manipulation using optical traps,” in Handbook of Single-Molecule Biophysics, eds. Peter Hinterdorfer and Antoine Van Oijen. New York, NY: Springer. In press.
SELECTED INVITED TALKS
SELECTED CONTRIBUTED TALKS & POSTERS
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES