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Debra Baluch

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School of Life Sciences
Research Scientist
Academic Professional, TEMPE Campus, Mailcode 5001
Biosciences
Research Scientist (FSC)
Academic Professional, TEMPE Campus, Mailcode 5001
Center for Biology and Society
Research Scientist (FSC)
Academic Professional, TEMPE Campus, Mailcode 5001
Biography

Page Baluch directs the management, training and maintenance of microscope systems within the W.M. Keck Bioimaging Laboratory in the School of Life Sciences. Her research is focused on studying the behavior of cells and tissue using advanced microscopy techniques.

Cellular behavior is affected by fast changes in the cell's skeleton (or cytoskeleton). The cytoskeleton is involved in many processes such as cell division, structure, movement and the transport of vesicles. Because it can be assembled and disassembled very quickly, it is believed that the cytoskeleton may also play a role in cellular communication by helping the cell organize signals quickly in space and time.

Current projects in the Baluch lab include studying how biogenic amines modulate uterine function; how the cytoskeleton organizes communication; how hormones influence neuronal signaling; how stress management can improve athletic performance; and creating 3-D tactile images to help blind students succeed in school.

CV
Binary Data Curriculum Vitae
Education

PhD, 2007, Arizona State University

Images
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Hippocampal neurons in primary culture
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Lily of Paradise Pollen
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NIH 3T3 Fibroblast Cells
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Neuroblastoma Cells
Research Website
http://bioimaginglab.net
Google Scholar
Google Scholar Profile
Research Interests

My research interests are centered around the cellular cytoskeletal scaffold system and how it controls and orchestrates cell signaling. I am also interested in how signaling modulators such as hormones and biogenic amines modulate neuronal and muscular function.

Research Group

Graduate Students:

  • Bukola Obayomi
  • Shelbi Peck

Undergraduate Students:

Publications
  • Faust, B., Huddleston, J., Baluch, D.P., Chew, T.L. and Ugarova, T. (2019). An Actin-based Protrusion Initiate Macrophage Fusion.  [In Review]
     
  • Obayomi, S.M.B., Peck, S., and Baluch, D.P. (2019). Ultrastructural Modifications of the Mouse Uterus upon Biogenic Amine Stimulation. Microscopy and Microanalysis [In Press].
     
  • Peck, S., Obayomi, S.M.B., and Baluch, D.P. (2019). The Role of Tyramine within the Mouse Ovary. Microscopy and Microanalysis [In Press].

     

  • Obayomi, S.M.B., Peck, S. and Baluch, D.P. (2017)  Imaging Live Uterine Tissue Modulation using Confocal Microscopy. J. Microscopy and Microanalysis, 23 (S1).

  • Hasper, E., Gonzales, A., Martinez, B, Harris, L., Yu, H., Farkas, Z., Hedgpeth, T., Windhorst, R.A., and Baluch, D.P. (2015).  Methods for creating and evaluating 3D tactile images to teach STEM courses to the visually impaired. J. College Science Teaching.

  • Baluch, D.P. (2015). FORWARD to Professorship in STEM: Inclusive faculty development strategies that work: Jumpstarting STEM Careers. Editors: Heller, R. and Mavriplis, C. Elsevier, Philadelphia, PA.

  • Williams, G.J., Zhang, T., Alexander, L., Gonzales, A., Baluch, D.P., Duerstock, B.S. (2014). 3D Printing Tactile Graphics: Application to Histology. RESNA Online.

  • Langlais, P., Dillon, J.L., Mengos, A., Baluch, D.P., Ardebili, R., Miranda, D.N., Xie, X., Heckmann, B.L., Liu, J., and Mandarino, L.J. (2012). Identification of a Role for CLASP2 in Insulin Action. J. Biological Chemistry.

  • Kalive, M., Baluch, D.P. and Capco, D.G. (2012). Involvement of PKCz and GSK3b in the stability of the metaphase spindle. In Vitro Cell. Dev. Biol.

  • Tamura, K.,  Mager, V. A.,  Burnett, L. A., Olson, J. H., Brower, J. B., Casano, A. R., Baluch, D. P., Targovnik, J. H., Windhorst, R. A., Herman, R. M. (2010). Semi-automated method of analysis of small sensory nerve fibers in human skin-biopsies. J Neurosci Methods, 185, pp 325-337.

  • Daskalova, S., Pah, A., Baluch, D.P., and Lopez, L. (2009). Arabidopsis thaliana putative sialyltransferase resides in plant Golgi but lacks the ability to transfer sialic acid.  J. Plant Biol. 11(3), pp 284-99.

  • Baluch, D. P. and Capco, D. G. (2008). GSK3β Mediates Acentromeric Spindle Stabilization by Activated PKCζ. Dev. Biol. 17(1), pp 46-58.

  • Huang, A., Nielson, G., Razdan, A., Farin, G., Capco,D., and  Baluch, D.P. (2006). Thin Structure Segmentation and Visualization in Three-Dimensional Biomedical Images: A Shape-Based Approach.  IEEE TVCG 12 (1) pp 93-102.

  • Baluch, D. P., Koeneman, B. A., Hatch, K., McGaughey, R. Capco, D. G. (2004). PKC isotypes in post-activated and fertilized mouse eggs: association with the meiotic spindle. Dev Biol 274, pp 45-55.

  • Baluch, D. P., Pauken, C.M., Capco, D.G. (2004). Laboratory Guide for the Mammalian Embryo: Cytoplasmic Signaling and Cell Cycle Control in the Mouse Egg and Embryo. Editors: Gardner, D.K., Lane, M., Watson, A.J. Oxford University Press, NY. Pp 298-312.

  • Huang, A., Nielson, G., Razdan, A., Farin, G., Capco,D., and  Baluch, D.P. (2003). Line and Net Pattern Segmentation Using Shape Modeling. Proc. Visualization and Data Analysis.  5009, pp. 171-180.

  • Jiuxiang Hu; Razdan, A.; Nielson, G.M.; Farin, G.E.; Baluch, D.P.; Capco, D.G. (2003). Volumetric segmentation using Weibull E-SD fields. IEEE TVCG 9 (3) pp 320-328.

  • Jiuxiang H., Baluch, D.P., Razdan, A., Nielson, G., Farin, G., and Capco, D.G. (2003). Case Study: Hidden Scaffold Extraction Using Crest Point for Enumerated Volumes.  Data Visualization 2003. Association for Computing Machinery, NY, NY. 

  • Baluch, D. P., Capco, D. G. (2002). Cellular Scaffolds in Mammalian Eggs. Frontiers in Bioscience 7, d1653-1661.

Fall 2019
Course NumberCourse Title
BIO 451Cell Biotech: Cell Culture
BIO 494Special Topics
MIC 495Undergraduate Research
BIO 495Undergraduate Research
BIO 499Individualized Instruction
BIO 598Special Topics
Summer 2019
Course NumberCourse Title
MBB 495Undergraduate Research
Spring 2019
Course NumberCourse Title
BIO 451Cell Biotech: Cell Culture
BIO 495Undergraduate Research
MBB 495Undergraduate Research
BIO 499Individualized Instruction
BIO 598Special Topics
Fall 2018
Course NumberCourse Title
BIO 451Cell Biotech: Cell Culture
BIO 494Special Topics
BIO 495Undergraduate Research
BIO 499Individualized Instruction
BIO 503Bioimaging Lab
BIO 598Special Topics
Summer 2018
Course NumberCourse Title
MBB 495Undergraduate Research
Spring 2018
Course NumberCourse Title
BIO 451Cell Biotechnology Laboratory
BIO 495Undergraduate Research
BIO 499Individualized Instruction
BIO 598Special Topics
Fall 2017
Course NumberCourse Title
BIO 451Cell Biotechnology Laboratory
BIO 495Undergraduate Research
BIO 503Bioimaging Lab
BIO 598Special Topics
Summer 2017
Course NumberCourse Title
MBB 495Undergraduate Research
Spring 2017
Course NumberCourse Title
BIO 451Cell Biotechnology Laboratory
BIO 495Undergraduate Research
BIO 499Individualized Instruction
BIO 591Seminar
Fall 2016
Course NumberCourse Title
BIO 451Cell Biotechnology Laboratory
BIO 495Undergraduate Research
BIO 498Pro-Seminar
BIO 503Bioimaging Lab
BIO 591Seminar
Summer 2016
Course NumberCourse Title
MBB 495Undergraduate Research
BIO 495Undergraduate Research
Spring 2016
Course NumberCourse Title
BIO 451Cell Biotechnology Laboratory
BIO 495Undergraduate Research
Fall 2015
Course NumberCourse Title
BIO 451Cell Biotechnology Laboratory
MBB 495Undergraduate Research
BIO 495Undergraduate Research
BIO 503Bioimaging Lab
Summer 2015
Course NumberCourse Title
MBB 495Undergraduate Research
Spring 2015
Course NumberCourse Title
BIO 451Cell Biotechnology Laboratory
Honors / Awards

2013    Nominee award for the Excellence in Diversity by the Committee for Campus Inclusion
2011    ASU Commission on the Status of Women’s 2011 Outstanding Contribution and
            Achievement Award
2008    Olympus Bioscapes Bioimaging Contest: 2 Honorable Mentions
2005    AIMS (Arizona Imaging and Microanalysis Society) Best Poster Award
2003    ASU School of Life Sciences Outstanding Teaching Associate Award

Editorships

Journal of Development
Journal of Reproduction
Mechanisms of Developoment
 

Professional Associations
  • American Society for Cell Biology [Committee Member of WICB],
  • Arizona Imaging and Microanalysis Society [2020 President],
  • Association for Women in Science [Arizona Chapter President],
  • Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience,
  • Microscopy Society of America,
  • Society for Neuroscience,
  • Society for the Study of Reproduction
Graduate Faculties / Mentoring History

Graduate Students:

  • 2017- Bukola Obayomi, Chair of Graduate Committee [Biology, PhD program];
  • 2017- Shelbi Peck, Chair of Graduate Committee [Biology, PhD program];
  • 2018 John Weston Quinn, non-degree graduate mentor, [current member of Robin Harris' lab] 
  • 2016-2018 Jerica Vie, Chair of Graduate Committee [Biology and Society, received Masters];
  • 2019- Laytoya Campbell, Graduate Committee Member [MCB PhD program, Liu Jun's Lab];
  • 2017- Arnat Balabiyev, Graduate Committee Member [MCB PhD program, Tatiana Ugarova's Lab];
  • 2014-2017 Bukola Obayomi, Recieved MS in Biology May 2017 [Continued into PhD program at ASU];
  • 2015 Natalie Jenkins, Non Degree Graduate Mentor;
  • 2013-2016 Leanne VanTuyl [Harris], Chair of Graduate committee [Biology, MS program] [Field Scientist with the Army] 
  • 2013-2015 Ashleigh Gonzales, Chair of Graduate committee [Biology and Society, MS program] – Received MS in Biology May 2015. Instructor with SAAVI [Southern Arizona Association for the Visually Impaired] and FBC [Foundation for Blind Children] Completed May 2015;
  • 2010-2014 Kirsten Traynor, Graduate Committee member (Robert Page’s lab); [USDA NIFA ELI postdoctoral fellow at the University of Maryland]
  • 2010-2014 James “Bo” Faust, Graduate Committee member (David Capco’s lab); [Research Scientist at Vanderbelt]
  • 2013-2014 Sandra Kavuma, Non Degree Graduate mentor; [Lab manager at Mayo]
  • 2013 Hayley Naegele, Graduate Committee member (Wade McGregor’s lab); [Resident Physician at HonorHealth]
  • 2011-2013 Rebekah Brubaker, Non Degree Graduate mentor. [CEO of RealTimeSTEAM]
Service

Professional Society Committees and Leadership Positions

  • 2012-2018       American Society for Cell Biology Women in Cell Biology (WICB) Executive Committee
                            (ascb.org); career and Mentorship Roundtable Session Chair, Annual meeting abstract reviewer
                            for New Technologies in Microscopy
  • 2019-2020      Arizona Imaging and Microanalysis Society President
  • 2016-2017      Arizona Imaging and Microanalysis Society President 
  • 2015-current   Arizona Imaging and Microanalysis Society Treasurer
  • 2013-2014      Arizona Imaging and Microanalysis Society President
  • 2011-2015       National Association for Women in Science Executive Chapter Committee Member (AWIS.org)
  • 2011-2012       Arizona Imaging and Microanalysis Society President
  • 2011-current   Association for Women in Science (AWIS AZ Chapter) President [awis-caz.org]
  • 2009-2011       Association for Women in Science (AWIS AZ Chapter) Treasurer
  • 2009-2010       Arizona Imaging and Microanalysis Society President

Government Service
2017-               NIH SIG Grant Reviewer
2017               ABRC RFGA Grant Reviewer
2016-              NCBiotech IDG Grant Reviewer

University Service

Educational/Outreach Event Organizer

  • 2015-current    Comicon Science Education Panel [Science panels were organized for attendees
                             of the Phoenix Comicon. Moderated and participated in sessions which included
                             students and faculty from ASU.]
  • 2010-1018        Forward to Professorship/Jumpstarting STEM Careers Workshop team leader and workshop
                             organizer at ASU
  • 2010-2020       AIMS Conference Organizer at ASU (azmicroscopy.org)
  • 2008-2017       Ugly Bug Contest co-organizer including participation in the Flagstaff Festival of Science and
                             Ask a Biologist website
  • 2005 -               Microscopy Seminars

College Committees

  • 2010-2011       CLAS RTS Website Committee
  • 2014.-2017      CLAS Committee of Review member   

SOLS Committees

  • 2017- current   SOLS Facilities Committee
  • 2014-2015       SOLS Strategic Assessment Committee
  • 2008-2014       SOLS Research Training Initiatives (RTI) committee member
  • 2008-2009       Facilities’ committee in SOLS representing Core Labs
  • 2003-2004       Faculty Search Committee; SOLS Molecular Interactions/Bioimaging position

University Committees

  • 2002               Graduate Student Association: Grant Review Committee
  • 2015-current   ASU Senate Alternate; Academic Professionals       

University Club Faculty Advisor

  • 2010-current   Women in STEM [Organization at ASU that provides training, networking and mentoring
                            opportunities to female students pursuing a STEM career.]
  • 2015-2017      First Gen Scientists [Honor Student club that mentors middle school students from
                           underprivileged schools.]
  • 2016-current   Sun Devil Microscopy Club [Provides opportunities for microscopy education and outreach
                            for students and the general public.]
  • 2012-2015       Awareness Counts Tempe [Organization that promotes awareness and education for the
                             success of disabled students at Arizona State University.]

 

Expertise Areas
Bioimaging
Microscopy
Cell biology
Reproduction
Biotechnology
Neurobiology