Session IV:
July 17, 2025
Everyday EM Samples
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John Chittum
John Chittum was born and raised in Fairfax, Virginia. He earned his B.S. in Biotechnology from James Madison University in 2018, followed by a Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry from Virginia Commonwealth University. During his doctoral studies in the lab of Professor Umesh Desai, John investigated the interactions between glycosaminoglycans (GAGs)—such as heparan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate—and various proteins, including the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor, using GAG microarray technology.
John is currently a postdoctoral fellow in the lab of Dr. Joe Barchi at the Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute (NCI) in Frederick, Maryland. His research focuses on the development and functionalization of gold nanoparticles coated with β-glucans for use as vaccines against pancreatic cancer.
Dong Kong
Centrosome Assembly and Organization: Insights from Correlative Imaging Approaches
​Dr. Dong Kong received his Ph.D. in Developmental Biology from the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. In 2012, he joined Dr. Jadranka Loncarek’s laboratory at the NCI/CCR as a Postdoctoral Fellow. In 2020, he was promoted to the position of Staff Scientist. Dr. Kong has over 15 years of experience in cell biology, genetics, and biochemistry. Additionally, he is proficient in various advanced imaging techniques, including correlative light and electron microscopy, as well as sample expansion in conjunction with super-resolution microscopy. In Loncarek’s lab, Dr. Kong focuses on dissecting how cells control centrosome homeostasis and how centrioles -the core component of centrosomes- assemble during the cell cycle. Throughout his career, Dr. Kong has been involved in numerous collaborative projects both within and outside the NIH.
Jennifer Jones
Tumor cells, immune cells, and irradiated tissues release large quantities of biologically active (and distinct) nanoscale extracellular vesicles (e.g., exosomes and microparticles). The Jones Lab combines leading edge technologies and new methods together in a cohesive translational pipeline to investigate extracellular vesicles. This research involves developing improved methods in three broad categories: 1) how samples are collected and processed, 2) establishing high-throughput and precise methods to characterize extracellular vesicles, and 3) utilizing extracellular vesicle data to better understand tumor- and immune-biology and to establish a foundation for next-generation EV-based personalized cancer treatment and monitoring.
Discussion Forum: Laboratory Sustainability
Moderators
Ru-ching Hsia & Tom Strader
In the current political and economic climate, research institutions face mounting pressure from budget cuts, hiring freezes, and forced staff reductions. Sustainable laboratory practices can significantly reduce operational costs by lowering energy consumption, minimizing waste, and optimizing resource use. This is particularly crucial in laboratories, which are among the most energy-intensive spaces in any institution. By embracing sustainability, labs can do more with less—preserving critical research capabilities even in times of fiscal uncertainty.
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The Discussion forum will review the recent Laboratory Sustainability Survey and discuss strategies and practices that can reduce operational costs by lowering energy consumption, minimizing waste, and optimizing resource use.