Nick Nunley Cancer researcher, bioinformatician, molecular biologist, musician, mathematics enthusiast, board game enthusiast, and surfer

CV

Experience

Staff Research Associate

University of California Los Angeles (2022 - present)

  • Conducting research in two labs investigating metabolic and transcriptional reprogramming across prostate cancer disease states:
  • Leading two distinct projects in parallel
  • Hands-on experience in culturing and performing experiments with ~8 different prostate cancer model systems:
    • Lentiviral transductions
    • Immunoblotting
    • Metabolic tracing assays
    • Viability assays
  • Developing and applying computational pipelines for transcriptional analysis
  • Developing an R datasets package containing processed transcriptional data from over 200 samples across seven different studies at release:
    • Performed data curation and quality assessment where I detected and corrected sample swaps in external datasets
    • Developed an object-oriented dataset class using the S4 system to enable easy access to metadata, sample information, and analysis methods
    • Added gene set enrichment analysis and meta-analysis features
    • Implemented a gene identifier mapping system to enable cross-species analysis without relying on external databases
    • Resolved graphics-rendering failures caused by memory limits and label collisions in enrichment and volcano plots using custom downsampling and carteisan coordinate offsetting algorithms
    • Extended the default lattice axes labeling system to support logarithmic axes
    • Implemented a custom colour-mapping engine based on deriving and using an affine RGB transformation matrix, enabling continuous two-colour gradients and three-colour (diverging) schemes

Lead K-12 Mathematics Instructor

Mathnasium, LLC (2019 - 2021)

  • Provided one-on-one and group tutoring in foundational mathematics (e.g. algebra, geometry, trigonometry, calculus) and other general science courses
  • Managed learning center operations on weekends:
    • Administered assessments to new students
    • Managed student learning plans
    • Followed up with leads
    • Scheduled and matched instructors with students

Education

BS: Biochemistry

University of California Los Angeles (2020-2022)

  • Conducted biomedical research while completing undergraduate coursework
  • Completed a graduate-level course in mass spectrometry proteomics, and upper-division electives in mathematics and machine learning

AA (honors): Social and Behavioral Science

Santa Monica College (2015-2020)

  • Explored multiple academic tracks before transitioning to STEM
  • Worked part-time in service roles and as a peer tutor for foundational science and math courses