Kimberly Jasmer-McDonald

Postdoctoral Fellow
University of Missouri Department of Biochemistry
Telephone: (206) 856-0883
JasmerK@Missouri.edu
Education
Postdoctoral Fellow in Biochemistry: University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 2015-Present
Faculty Mentors: Dr. Michael Petris and Dr. Gary Weisman
Ph.D. in Biological Sciences: University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 2015
Advisors: Dr. Mark Hannink and Dr. Steve Alexander
B.S. in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology: University of Washington, Seattle, WA 2009

Publications
Kimberly J. Jasmer-McDonald, Lucas T. Woods, Adam L. Martin, Kevin Muñoz Forti, Jean M. Camden, and Gary A.
Weisman. P2Y2 receptor antagonism inhibits B-lymphocyte function and inflammation in the NOD.H-2h4,IFNγ-/-,CD28-/-
mouse model of Sjögren’s Syndrome. (In preparation)
Kimberly Jasmer-McDonald, Vinit C Shanbhag, Nikita Gudekar, Michael J Petris. Stromal-Derived Lysyl Oxidase is
important for metastasis of Lewis Lung Carcinoma Cells. (In preparation)
Vinit C Shanbhag , Kimberly Jasmer-McDonald , Sha Zhu , Adam L Martin , Nikita Gudekar, Aslam A. Khan , Erik
Ladomersky , Kamalendra Singh , Gary A Weisman , Michael J Petris. ATP7A delivers copper to the lysyl oxidase family
of enzymes and promotes tumorigenesis and metastasis. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United
States of America. 2019.
Jasmer, KJ, Hou, J, Cheng, J, Hannink, M. Role of Heme Oxygenase activity in B-Raf-dependent melanosphere
formation. Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research (Under Revision)
Sun GY, Chen Z, Jasmer KJ, Chuang DY, Gu Z, Hannink M, Simonyi A. Quercetin Attenuates Inflammatory Responses
in BV-2 Microglial Cells: Role of MAPKs on the Nrf2 Pathway and Induction of Heme Oxygenase-1. PLoS One.
2015;10(10):e0141509.
Attucks, OC, Jasmer, KJ, Hannink, M, Kassis, J, Zhong, Z, Gupta, S, Victory, SF, Guzel, M, Polisetti, DR, Andrews, R,
Mjalli, AMM, Kostura, MJ. Induction of heme oxygenase I (HMOX1) by HPP-4382: a novel modulator of Bach1
activity. PLoS One. 2014;9(7):e101044.

Funding
Sjögren’s Syndrome Foundation Research Grant, ($50,000) 2018-Present
GAANN Fellowship (P200A100178), U.S. Dept. of Education 2010-2014

Scholarships and Awards

University of Missouri Postdoctoral Association Travel Award (MUPA), University of Missouri 2017
Douglas D. Randall Young Scientists Development Fund Award, University of Missouri 2017
Joshua E. Neimark Memorial Travel Assistance Award, AAAS 2015
Douglas D. Randall Young Scientists Development Fund Award, University of Missouri 2015
Biology Graduate Student Association Travel Award, University of Missouri 2014
Life Sciences Fellowship Program Travel Award for Ph.D. Candidates, University of Missouri 2014
Athletic Swimming Scholarship, University of Missouri 2009-2010
Athletic Swimming Scholarship, University of Washington 2005-2009

Invited Talks
P2Y2 receptor antagonism inhibits B-lymphocyte function and inflammation in the NOD.H-2h4,IFNγ-/-,CD28-/- mouse
model of Sjögren’s Syndrome. NIH Geroscience Interest Group Postdoctoral Symposium on Tissue-Resident
Immune Cells; 2019 June 4-6; Bethesda, MD
Exploring the Role of P2Y2 Nucleotide Receptors in a Novel Autoimmune Mouse Model of Sjögren’s Syndrome.
Salivary Glands and Exocrine Biology Gordon Research Conference; 2017 February 23; Galveston, TX
Exploring the Role of P2Y2 Nucleotide Receptors in a Novel Autoimmune Mouse Model of Sjögren’s Syndrome.
Salivary Glands and Exocrine Biology Gordon Research Seminar; 2017 February 19; Galveston, TX
Invited and Contributed Poster Presentations
Kimberly J. Jasmer-McDonald, Jean M. Camden, Lucas T. Woods, Adam L. Martin, and Gary A. Weisman
P2Y2 receptor antagonism inhibits B lymphocyte function and reduces inflammation in a mouse model of
Sjögren’s syndrome. Salivary Glands and Exocrine Biology Gordon Research Conference; 2019 February 4;
Galveston, TX
Kimberly J. Jasmer-McDonald, Jean M. Camden, Lucas T. Woods, Adam L. Martin, and Gary A. Weisman
P2Y2 receptor antagonism inhibits B lymphocyte function and reduces inflammation in a mouse model of
Sjögren’s syndrome. Salivary Glands and Exocrine Biology Gordon Research Seminar; 2019 February 2;
Galveston, TX
Jasmer-McDonald, KJ. Shanbhag, V. and Petris, M. Exploring the Role of Copper-Dependent Lysyl Oxidase (LOX) in
Metastatic growth. Health Sciences Week; 2017 November; Columbia, MO
Jasmer-McDonald, KJ. Shanbhag, V. and Petris, M. Exploring the Role of Copper-Dependent Lysyl Oxidase (LOX) in
Metastatic growth. Cell Biology of Metals Gordon Research Conference; 2017 July 25; West Dover, VT
Jasmer-McDonald, KJ. Shanbhag, V. and Petris, M. Exploring the Role of Copper-Dependent Lysyl Oxidase (LOX) in
Metastatic growth. Cell Biology of Metals Gordon Research Seminar; 2017 July 23; West Dover, VT
Jasmer-McDonald, KJ. Shanbhag, V., Gudekar, N., and Petris, M. Exploring the Role of Copper-Dependent Lysyl
Oxidase (LOX) in Metastatic growth. University of Missouri Life Sciences Week; 2017 April; Columbia, MO
Jasmer-McDonald, Kimberly J., Camden, Jean M., Woods, Lucas T., Khalafalla, Mahmoud G, Erb, Laurie, and
Weisman, Gary A. Exploring the Role of P2Y2 Nucleotide Receptors in a Novel Autoimmune Mouse Model of
Sjögren’s Syndrome. University of Missouri Life Sciences Week; 2017 April; Columbia, MO
Jasmer-McDonald, KJ. Shanbhag, V., Gudekar, N., and Petris, M. Exploring the Role of Copper-Dependent Lysyl
Oxidase (LOX) in Metastatic growth. AACR Annual Meeting. 2017 April 5; Washington DC
Jasmer-McDonald, Kimberly J. Camden, Jean M., Woods, Lucas T., Khalafalla, Mahmoud G, Erb, Laurie, Petris,
Carissa, and Weisman, Gary A. Exploring the Role of P2Y2 Nucleotide Receptors in a Novel Autoimmune Mouse
Model of Sjögren’s Syndrome. Salivary Glands and Exocrine Biology Gordon Research Conference; 2017
February 22; Galveston, TX
Jasmer-McDonald, Kimberly J., Camden, Jean M., Woods, Lucas T., Khalafalla, Mahmoud G, Erb, Laurie, and
Weisman, Gary A. Exploring the Role of P2Y2 Nucleotide Receptors in a Novel Autoimmune Mouse Model of
Sjögren’s Syndrome. Salivary Glands and Exocrine Biology Gordon Research Seminar; 2017 February 18;
Galveston, TX
Jasmer, KJ. and Hannink M. Role of HMOX1on the Metastatic Capability of B-Raf-Active Melanoma.
University of Missouri Life Sciences Week; 2015 April 15; Columbia, MO
Jasmer, KJ. and Hannink. M. Role of HMOX1on the Metastatic Capability of B-Raf-Active Melanoma.
Invited poster presented at the AAAS Annual Meeting; 2015 February 14; San Jose, CA
Jasmer, KJ. and Hannink. M. Melanoma cell lines harboring an activating mutation in B-Raf, BRAFV600E, favor
redox-independent regulation of Nrf2 through SCFβ-TrCP. University of Missouri Life Sciences Week; 2013 April
17; Columbia, MO

Service and Outreach

Professional Development Chair; University of Missouri Postdoctoral Association (MUPA) 2018-Present
Planned, organized, and publicized monthly professional development events for postdoctoral fellows
Poster Judge, 2016 University of Missouri Life Sciences Week 2016
President; Science Communication and Public Engagement (SCAPE) 2013-2015
Planned, organized, and publicized monthly professional development workshops and outreach
opportunities for graduate students, lead monthly board meetings
Student Advisee; Science Café Columbia 2014-2015
Vetted speakers, publicized events, moderated the August 2014 event
Mentor; Eldon High School Science Research Program 2014-2015
Trained high school student in laboratory techniques, she won multiple awards at the Missouri
Academy of Sciences Junior Division Fair and the Lincoln University Regional Science Fair and was
selected to present her work at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Pittsburgh in 2015

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Research Experience
Postdoctoral Fellow
• Identified a role for the ATP7A copper transporter in tumorigenesis and metastasis of Lewis Lung Carcinoma
cells, resulting in a co-authored publication in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
• Discovered a role for stromal-derived lysyl oxidase (LOX) in establishing the lung metastatic niche and
facilitating metastasis of Lewis Lung Carcinoma cells
• Using an autoimmune mouse model of Sjögren’s Syndrome, identified a novel role for P2Y2 nucleotide receptors
on submandibular B lymphocytes in promoting migration and cytokine release. Demonstrated a reduction in
inflammation and an improvement in salivation following P2Y2R antagonism in vivo.
• Acquired independent funding from the Sjögren’s Syndrome Foundation to investigate P2Y2R antagonism as a
novel therapeutic approach for Sjögren’s Syndrome, with specific focus on reducing lymphoma development
• Generated data for and contributed to the composition of several NIH R01 grant applications including multiple
collaborations with domestic and international investigators
• Acquired extensive expertise breeding and utilizing multiple murine models, in vitro (scratch assays, invasion
assays, soft agar colony formation) and in vivo (subcutaneous, orthotopic, and intravenous injections) cancer
models, cell culture assays, CRISPR Cas9, isolation of murine tissue for downstream applications (cryopreserved
sectioning, IHC, flow cytometry, primary cell isolation, and RNA isolation for qRT-PCR)

Graduate Research Assistant

Dissertation Title: The Role of the Oxidative Stress Response in Metastatic Growth of B-Raf-Active Melanoma
• In collaboration with TransTech Pharma, identified and characterized a novel class of compounds that induce
Heme Oxygenase 1 (HMOX1) through modulation of Bach1
• Evaluated multiple antioxidant botanicals and their role in the oxidative stress response
• Identified a role for Heme Oxygenase in sphere formation of B-Raf-active melanoma cell lines in an in vitro
melanosphere assay
• Using site-directed mutagenesis, systematically mutated Ceramide Synthase 1 phosphorylation sites
• Acquired expertise in cell culture techniques including virus production, melanosphere assays, transwell
migration assays, transient and stable transfections, and immortalization of primary cells as well as multiple
cloning techniques, qRT-PCR, CHIP-Seq, and western blotting

Teaching Experience
Credentialing
Associate-Level CIRTL Certification; University of Missouri and CIRTL (2016)

Teaching Assistant
Cellular Biology, University of Missouri (Spring 2011, Fall 2011, Fall 2012, Fall 2013)

Guest Lectures
Cancer Biology: Copper in Tumorigenesis; University of Missouri (2016)
Cancer Biology: Apoptosis; University of Missouri (2016)
Cell Structure; Westminster College (2015)
Cellular Biology: Transmembrane Proteins; University of Missouri (2013)
Cellular Biology: The Cell Cycle; University of Missouri (2013)
Cellular Biology: Intracellular Compartments and Transport; University of Missouri (2012)
Cellular Biology: Intracellular Compartments and Transport; University of Missouri (2011)

Professional Memberships
American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) 2016-Present
AACR Working Groups: Cancer Immunology (CIMM), Tumor Microenvironment (TME)
National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) 2016-Present
American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) 2016-2017
National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity (NCFDD) 2015-2016
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) 2014-2016
Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning (CIRTL) 2013-Present
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