Curriculum Vitae

Distinctions

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  • Over 1.5 million views across two youtube channels
  • Nominated for a Killam Doctoral Scholarship at the University of British Columbia (decision expected 2020)

Employment

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Teaching Assistant ❖ University of British Columbia ❖ Kelowna, BC, Canada ❖ 2017-2019

    • Taught introduction statistics, using R and Python for graphing and statistical analysis
    • Managed a relational database for chemical and biological inventory

Lab Manager ❖ University of British Columbia ❖ Kelowna, BC, Canada ❖ 2017-2019

Teacher ❖ Hope Secondary ❖ Hope, BC, Canada ❖ 2015-2016

    • Designed and taught problem-based curriculum for Biology 11 and Biology 12
    • Implemented modern scientific literacy into curriculum
    • Co-managed special education department, focusing on improving student’s academic and life skills
    • Designed individualized education plans (IEPs) for students, and implemented them into their yearly curriculum

Teacher ❖ Flying Colours Learning Centre ❖ New Westminster, BC, Canada ❖ 2014-2015

    • Provided supplementary support to students completing their post-secondary degree
    • Designed and facilitated curriculum for grade 8 through second year university students, including advanced placement (AP), honours, international baccalaureate (IB), english as a second language (ESL) students, and students with documented learning disability

Teacher ❖ Cariboo High School ❖ New Westminster, BC, Canada ❖ 2014

    • Taught Science 8, Science 10, Biology 11, and AP Biology 11 with 32 students
    • Coordinated with special education staff to appropriately support and assess students with individualized education plans (IEPs)
    • Engaged students with creative self-designed projects and labs focus on utilizing new media and creativity

Project Development ❖ Overmined Entertainment ❖ Vancouver, BC, Canada ❖ 2010-2015

    • Organized and coordinated a team of 9 people for filming events
    • Interacted with and organized large capacity events for underage persons
    • Created and maintained official website and social media of company
    • Delegated with clients to produce desired photography, cinematography and audio branding

Teacher ❖ Oxford Learning ❖ Coquitlam, BC, Canada ❖ 2012-2014

    • Taught grades eight through twelve biology, physics, chemistry, mathematics, and English
    • Taught over two dozen students each school year
    • Focused on relating current learning to their university and college educational interests
    • Adapted lesson plans to each student’s individual learning profile and preferences

Online Tutor And Teaching Assistant ❖ Douglas College ❖ New Westminster, BC, Canada ❖ 2010-2012

    • Tutored all levels of grade and post-secondary school in science, mathematics, nursing and English
    • Tutored over a four hundred different people, successfully helping them through their course
    • Tutored students through many applications such as Microsoft Word, Skype, online Tablet PC conferencing, and Jing
    • Taught PHYS 1110 temporarily and ran after class tutorial for PHYS 1110 under Kuros Gadareh
    • Ran after class tutorial for MATH 1120 under Larry Tomboulian

Media Designer ❖ ScrewAttack LLC ❖ Fort Worth, Texas, USA ❖ 2009-2010

    • Designed and coded physical, as well as digital, media for several DVD products, including Metal Gear Ben and Too Hot for the Internet

Publications

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  1. Wenzel TJ, Gates EJ, Ranger AL, Klegeris A. (2020) Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) alone or in combination regulate select immune functions of microglia-like cells. Mol. Cell. Neurosci. Accepted for publication of April 8th, 2020.
  2. Wenzel TJ, Kwong E, Bajwa E, Klegeris A. (2020). Resolution-associated molecular patterns (RAMPs) as endogenous regulators of glia functions in neuroinflammatory disease. C.N.S. Neurol. Disord. Drug Targets. Accepted for publication on March 8, 2020.
  3. Wenzel TJ, Bajwa E, Klegeris A. (2019). Cytochrome c can be released into extracellular space and modulate functions of human astrocytes in a toll-like receptor 4-dependent manner. B.B.A. – Gen. Subj. 1863 (11): 129400-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbagen.2019.07.009
  4. Leitner G, Wenzel TJ, Marshall N, Gates E, Klegeris A. (2019). Targeting toll-like receptor 4 to modulate neuroinflammation in central nervous system disorders.  Expert Opin. Ther. Targets. 23 (10): 865-82. https://doi.org/10.1080/14728222.2019.1676416
  5. Pointer C, Wenzel TJ, Klegeris A. (2018). Extracellular cardiolipin regulates select immune functions of microglia and microglia-like cells. Brain Res. Bullet. 146: 153-63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainresbull.2019.01.002
  6. Wenzel TJ, Klegeris, A. (2018). Novel multi-target directed ligand-based strategies for reducing neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease. Life Sci. 207: 314-22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2018.06.025

Education

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  1. Doctorate of Philosophy – Biochemistry & Molecular Biology ❖ University of British Columbia ❖ Kelowna, BC, Canada ❖ 2017-present, expected graduation 2020
  2. Chemistry credits not used towards a degree ❖ University of the Fraser Valley ❖ Abbotsford, BC, Canada ❖ 2016
  3. Bachelors of Education – Curricular Development ❖ Simon Fraser University ❖ Burnaby, BC, Canada ❖ 2014
  4. Bachelors of Science – Biological sciences ❖ Simon Fraser University ❖ Burnaby, BC, Canada ❖ 2009-2013
  5. CRLA Level III: Master Certified Tutor ❖ Douglas College ❖ New Westminster, BC, Canada ❖ 2011
  6. Science credits used towards Bachelors of Science ❖ Douglas College ❖ New Westminster, BC, Canada ❖ 2009-2012

Presentations

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  1. Wenzel TJ, Ranger A, Klegeris A. (2019). Extracellular cardiolipin (CL) modulates microglial phagocytosis and cytokine secretion in a toll-like receptor (TLR) 4-dependent manner. 9th iDEAs. Okayama, Japan: Poster Presentation.
  2. Wenzel TJ, Bajwa E, Rheault MR, Klegeris A. (2019). Extracellular cytochrome c modulates astrocyte functions in a toll-like receptor (TLR) 4-dependent manner. AD/PD 2019. Lisbon, Portugal: Poster Presentation.
  3. Wenzel TJ. (2019). Probiotics reduce cytokine secretions, as well as claudin 5 loss, induced by gut inflammation in vivo. Brown Bag Seminar. Kelowna, BC, Canada: Invited Oral Presentation.
  4. Wenzel TJ. (2019). Host-microbial interactions: symbiotic associated and normal flora. UBCO Biology 232: Human Infectious Disease. Kelowna, BC, Canada: Guest Lecture.
  5. Wenzel TJ. (2018). Research methods in pharmacology. UBCO Biochemistry 308: Pharmacology I.  Kelowna, BC, Canada: Guest Lecture.
  6. Wenzel TJ, Bajwa E, Rheault MR, Klegeris A. (2018). Extracellular cytochrome c modulates astrocytic phagocytosis and cytokine secretion in a toll-like receptor (TLR) 4-dependent manner. UBCO Biology Graduate Symposium 2018. Kelowna, BC, Canada: Poster Presentation.
  7. Wenzel TJ, Gustafsson E, Hurren H, Klegeris A. (2018). Generic problem-solving skills are distinct from the academic ability of students and could be developed through experiential learning. 14th Annual Learning Conference. Kelowna, BC, Canada: Oral Presentation.
  8. Wenzel TJ, Pointer C, Klegeris A. (2018). Extracellular cardiolipin modulates microglial phagocytosis and their cytokine secretion in a toll-like receptor (TLR) 4-dependent manner. 12th Annual Canadian Neuroscience Meeting. Vancouver, BC, Canada: Poster Presentation.
  9. Wenzel TJ. (2018). The pharmacology of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. UBCO Biochemistry 308: Pharmacology I. Kelowna, BC, Canada: Guest Lecture.
  10. Wenzel TJ, Edwards C, Klegeris A. (2017). Pro-inflammatory molecules released by activated microglia are not attenuated by individual short-chain fatty acids. UBCO Biology Graduate Symposium 2017. Kelowna, BC, Canada: Poster Presentation.
  11. Wenzel TJ, Hurren H, Klegeris A. (2017). Tutor-less problem-based learning: Effects on problem-solving skills in large science undergraduate classes. 13th Annual Learning Conference. Kelowna, BC, Canada: Poster Presentation.
  12. Wenzel TJ. (2017). The pathophysiology of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. UBCO Biochemistry 407: Biochemical Basis of Disease. Kelowna, BC, Canada: Guest Lecture. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJeo-mxxUek

Proficient Techniques

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Science

  1. Western blotting
  2. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs)
  3. Primary human and murine glia (non-neuronal cell) extraction (e.g. microglia and astrocytes)
  4. Wide-field and confocal fluorescent microscopy
  5. Fluorescent immunostaining
  6. Molecular ligand-receptor docking in silico
  7. Statistical analysis with R
  8. Cell culturing (e.g. primary human cells, primary mouse cells, cell lines)
  9. Liquid-chromatography mass-spectrophotometry analysis
  10. Protein extraction from tissue and normalization (e.g. bicinchoninic acid assay and Bradford’s assay)
  11. Independent manuscript preparation

Education

  1. Problem-based learning activities, culminating in a cumulative project
  2. Learning-objective oriented curriculum development
  3. Formative assesements and guided questioning
  4. Implementing interim and self-assessment into curriculum design
  5. Learning-objective oriented, balanced, summative assessments
  6. Learning-objective based grading

Awards

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  1. 2020 ISN-JNC Flagship School Grant ❖ International Society of Neurochemistry/Journal of Neurochemistry ❖ 2020
  2. University Graduate Fellowship ❖ University of British Columbia ❖ Kelowna, BC, Canada ❖ 2018-2020
  3. Graduate Travel Grant ❖ University of British Columbia ❖ Kelowna, BC, Canada ❖ 2018-2019
  4. Irving K. Barber Transfer Scholarship ❖ Simon Fraser University ❖ Burnaby, BC, Canada ❖ 2011-2012
  5. Ken Caple Entrance Scholarship ❖ Simon Fraser University ❖ Burnaby, BC, Canada ❖ 2010-2011
  6. President’s Entrance Scholarship ❖ Douglas College ❖ New Westminster, BC, Canada ❖ 2009-2011

Associations

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  • Canadian Association of Neuroscience
  • International Society for Neurochemistry