JENNA E.

(SROKA) SMITH
997B Hallock Young Road | Lordstown, OH 44481
440-679-0289 | jenna.smith521@gmail.com

EDUCATION
Ph.D.

Biochemistry, successfully defended December 19, 2014

Case Western Reserve University (CWRU), Cleveland, Ohio
GPA: 4.0

May 2015

B.A.

Microbiology, Genetics, minor in Chemistry

Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio
GPA: 4.0, Summa Cum Laude

May 2009

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Postdoctoral Scholar Case Western Reserve University
Feb. 2015 - present
Center for RNA Molecular Biology, Principle Investigator Dr. Kristian E. Baker
A SELEX-based approach for discovery of NMD inhibitory RNA sequences
Doctoral Research Case Western Reserve University
Jan. 2010 Jan. 2015
Department of Biochemistry, advisor Dr. Kristian E. Baker
Investigation of the mRNP and Transcriptome Regulated by Nonsense-Mediated
RNA Decay
Senior Independent Research Project Ohio Wesleyan University
Sept. 2008 May 2009
Department of Botany-Microbiology, advisor Dr. Jerry Goldstein
Geographical Variation of the Keratinase Enzyme in Bacillus licheniformis
Summer Science Research Project Ohio Wesleyan University
May Aug. 2008
Department of Botany-Microbiology, advisor Dr. Laura Tuhela
A Scanning Electron Microscopic Study of Metarhizium anisopliae Infection of the
Varroa Mite, a Parasite of Honeybees
Freshman Honors Project Ohio Wesleyan University
Department of Zoology, advisor Dr. Edward H. Burtt
Colorful Parrot Feathers Inhibit Bacterial Degradation

Jan. 2006 May 2007

EDUCATION EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

Future Connections Leonard Gelfand STEM Center, CWRU
Mar. 2015 present
Development and management of a four-week hands-on research experience for
urban and inner-ring suburban high-school seniors; includes project-based learning,
and organization of field-trips, speakers, and special events
Internship in College Teaching Kent State University, Trumbull
Jan. 2015 present
Assist with course instruction, with primary responsibility for laboratory design
and implementation, for introductory Biological Diversity with Dr. Bette H. Beck
Undergraduate Teaching Assistant Case Western Reserve University
Jan. 2015 present
Laboratory teaching assistant for introductory biology course (Cells and Proteins),
primary roles include instruction and supervision of laboratory under direction of Lab
Instructor Dr. Deborah Harris
Certificate in College Teaching Kent State University
May 2014 present
Non-degree program at Kent State University providing experience and background in
teaching in the higher education setting
Future Faculty Certification Case Western Reserve University
Earned certification in a 6-week non-credit course geared to address best-teaching
practices, for graduate students interested in pursuing careers in higher education
Gilmore Academy Catalyst Student Mentor Case Western Reserve U.

June 2013

Sept. Dec. 2012

J. Smith CV, pg. 2

Served as a mentor to a high school student participating in a weekly science elective,
performing hands-on research

PUBLICATIONS
Smith, J.E., and Baker, K.E. (2015) Nonsense-mediated RNA decay - a switch and dial for regulating
gene expression. Bioessays, in press.
Smith, J.E., Alvarez-Dominguez, J.R., Kline, N., Huynh, N., Geisler, S., Hu, W., Coller, J., and Baker,
K.E. (2014) Translation of small open reading frames within unannotated RNA transcripts in
Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Cell Reports, 7(6), 1858-1866.
Burtt, E. H., Schroeder, M. R., Smith, L. A., Sroka, J. E., and McGraw, K. J. (2011) Colorful parrot
feathers resist bacterial degradation. Biol. Lett. 7(2), 214-216. PMID: 20926430

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
Smith, J.E., Alvarez-Dominguez, J.R., Kline, N., Huynh, N., Geisler, S., Hu, W., Coller, J., and Baker,
K.E. Translation of small open reading frames within unannotated RNA transcripts in
Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Rustbelt RNA Meeting, October 2014. Poster presentation.
Smith, J.E., Alvarez-Dominguez, J.R., Kline, N., Huynh, N., Geisler, S., Hu, W., Coller, J., and Baker,
K.E. Translation of small open reading frames within unannotated RNA transcripts in
Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Meeting of the RNA Society, June 2014. Poster presentation.
Smith, J.E., Alvarez-Dominguez, J.R., Kline, N., Huynh, N., Geisler, S., Hu, W., Coller, J., and Baker,
K.E. Translation of small open reading frames within unannotated RNA transcripts in
Saccharomyces cerevisiae. CWRU Biomedical Graduate Student Symposium, May 2014. Oral
presentation.
Smith, J.E., Giesler, S., Alvarez, J., Coller, J., and Baker, K.E. Novel classification of unannotated
RNAs in yeast. Rustbelt RNA Meeting, October 2013. Oral presentation.
Smith, J.E., and Baker, K.E. Purification of the mRNP unique to nonsense-mediated mRNA decay
substrates in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. CWRU Biomedical Graduate Student Symposium, May
2013. Poster presentation.
Smith, J.E. and Baker, K.E. Characterization of the mRNP unique to substrates of the nonsensemediated mRNA decay pathway. Rustbelt RNA Meting, October 2012. Poster presentation.
Smith, J.E., and Baker, K.E. Characterization of the mRNP unique to substrates of the nonsensemediated mRNA decay pathway. Rustbelt RNA Meeting, October 2011. Poster presentation.
Sroka, J.E., and Tuhela, L. A scanning electron microscopic study of Metarhizium anispoliae
infection of the Varroa mite, a parasite of honeybees. OWU Summer Science Research
Symposium, September 2008. Poster presentation.
Schroeder, M.R., Smith, L.A., Sroka, J.E., McGraw, K.J., Burtt, E.H. Colorful parrot feathers inhibit
bacterial degradation. North American Ornithological Conference, October 2006. Poster
presentation.

VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES
SOURCE Summer Research Proposal Reviewer
March 2015
Reviewed and scored proposals from CWRU undergraduates seeking funding for biologyrelated summer research projects
OH WOW! Childrens Center for Science and Technology
Aug. 2014 present
Assist with educational programming, new activity design, and direct science outreach
with children ages ~5-13
Elementary Science Olympiad
Assisted at the Bio-Process Lab, a series of lab stations, at a local elementary
science competition hosted by the CWRU Leonard Gelfand STEM Center

Feb. 2015;
Mar. 2014

J. Smith CV, pg. 3

Akron STEM Expo
Jan. 2015
Served as a judge of local high school science fair posters in the field of microbiology
Elementary Science Olympiad Clinic
Dec. 2014
Advised teachers, parents, and students participating in Spring 2015 Science Olympiad
competition of Write It, Do It event details, organized by CWRU Leonard Gelfand
STEM Center
Gelfand Expo
Facilitated discussions about qualities of a good science fair project among small
groups of fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students, held by the CWRU Leonard Gelfand
STEM Center

May 2014

Research ShowCASE Intersections Judge

Apr. 2014
Served as a judge of undergraduate poster presentations in biology-related fields at the
annual CWRU research fair

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
CWRU Cell and Molecular Biology Training Grant Symposium, organizing committee
Public Relations, 2011-2013
Ohio Wesleyan University Women in Science
Co-President, 2008-2009

Public Relations, 2007-2008

Ohio Wesleyan University Department of Botany-Microbiology Student Board

Treasurer, 2007-2008
Ohio Wesleyan University Circle K International
Public Relations, 2008-2009
Secretary, 2007-2008

PRESENTATION AWARDS
Department of Biochemistry Retreat Oral Presentation Prize, 2014
Presidents Award for Best Oral Presentation, CWRU Biomedical Graduate Student Symposium, 2014
Outstanding Oral Presentation, Rustbelt RNA Meeting, 2013
Outstanding Poster Presentation, CWRU Biomedical Graduate Student Symposium, 2013
Outstanding Student Seminar, CWRU Department of Biochemistry, 2011-2012

MERIT RECOGNITION
NIH/NIGMS Cell and Molecular Biology Training Program, CWRU, 2010-2012
Ohio Wesleyan University Slocum Prize in Science recipient, 2009
Phi Beta Kappa, Academic Honor Society inductee, 2009
Microscopy Society of America Undergraduate Research Scholarship recipient, 2008
Phi Sigma, Biological Sciences Honor Society inductee, 2008
Mortarboard, National College Senior Honor Society inductee, 2008
Ohio Wesleyan Presidential Scholarship recipient, 2005-2009
Ohio Wesleyan University Deans List, 2005-2009

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Association for Women in Science (AWIS)
The Ohio Academy of Science

REFERENCES
Available upon request