Amy's Lab

Amy (Hui-Shan) Wang, BVM, MS, PhD

E-mail: amy@amyslab.com

Education

• Doctorate of Philosophy, Toxicology,

  Aug. 2007
  
  • Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine (VMRCVM)
  • Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), Blacksburg, Virginia
  • Dissertation: Arsenic in drinking water caused ultra-structural damage in F344 rat urinay bladder but did not affect expression of DNA damage repair genes or repair of oxidative DNA damage in transitional cells
  • Advisor: Steven D. Holladay, Ph.D.

• Master of Science, Veterinary Medical Sciences,

  Aug. 2000
  
  • VMRCVM, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia
  • Thesis: The Effects of Mercuric Chloride on Cultured Atlantic Spotted Dolphin (Stenella plagiodon) Renal Cells and the Role of Selenium in Protection
  • Advisor: Carl J. Pfeiffer, Ph.D.

• Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine,

  June 1996
  
  • National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
  • Class president, 1994 and 1996
  • Case studies: (1) Canine type II diabetes, and (2) Squamous carcinoma in a rabbit

Research skills

• Real time RT PCR for gene expression
• Comet assay (single cell gel electrophoresis) for DNA damage
• Fluorescent dyes and flow cytometry for apoptosis and cell cycle status
• Morphology by light microscopy, and transmission and scanning electron microscopy
• Cell culture
• In vivo rat models

Licensure and certification

• License to practice veterinary medicine in Taiwan
• Certified for handling radioactive material by Virginia Tech
• Certified for Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)
• Permanent resident of the United States of America

Publications

• A. Wang, J.L. Robertson, S.D. Holladay, A.H. Tennant , A.J. Lengi, S.A. Ahmed, W.R. Huckle, and A.D. Kligerman (2007) Measurement of DNA damage in rat urinary bladder transitional cells by the Comet assay: improved procedures for selective harvest of transitional cells and detailed Comet protocols. Mutat. Res. 634(1-2), 51-59
• A. Wang, S. Holladay, D.C. Wolf, S.A. Ahmed and J.L. Robertson (2006) Reproductive and developmental toxicity of arsenic in rodents: a review. Int. J. Toxicol. 25(5), 319-331
• B. Sen, A. Wang, S.D. Hester, J.L. Robertson, D.C. Wolf (2005) Gene expression profiling of responses to dimethylarsinic acid in female F344 rat urothelium. Toxicol. 215 (3), 214-26
• A. Wang, D. Barber, and C.J. Pfeiffer (2001) Protective effects of selenium against mercury toxicity in cultured Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella plagiodon) renal cells. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 41 (4), 403-409
• A. Wang and C.J. Pfeiffer (2001) Cytopathology induced by mercuric chloride and methylmercury in cultured renal cells of the Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella plagiodon). J. Submicrosc. Cytol. Pathol. 33 (1-2), 7-16
• D.C. Pfeiffer, A. Wang, C.J. Pfeiffer, and J. Nicolas (2001) Ultrastructural architecture of the long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas) tongue. Anant. Histol. Embryol. 30, 359-365

Abstracts

• A. Wang, S.D. Holladay, A.D. Kligerman, J.L. Robertson. Dimethylarsinic acid, a major metabolite of inorganic arsenic, in drinking water inhibited DNA-protein crosslink repair in urinary bladder transitional cells. VMRCVM 19th Annual Research Symposium, Blacksburg, Virginia. May 15-16, 2007
• K. Bailey, S.D. Hester, A. Wang, J.L. Robertson, D.C. Wolf, B. Sen. Comparison of gene expression in kidney and urinary bladder from rats treated with dimethylarsinic acid. Society of Toxicology 44th Annual Meeting, New Orland, Louisiana. Mar. 6 - 10, 2005
• A. Wang, D.C. Wolf, S. Holladay, T. Caceci, J. Robertson. Short term exposure of dimethylarsinic acid (DMA(V)) via drinking water altered cellular and subcellular morphology of urinary bladder of female F344 rats. VMRCVM 16th Annual Research Symposium, Blacksburg, Virginia. June 17 - 18, 2004
• B. Sen, A. Wang, S.D. Hester, J.L. Robertson, D.C. Wolf. Gene expression can differentiate carcinogenic from non-carcinogenic doses of dimethylarsinic acid (DMAV) in the transitional epithelium of the urinary bladder from female F344 Rats. The 23rd Annual Meeting of Toxicologic Pathology, Salt Lake City, Utah. June 13 - 17, 2004.
• A. Wang, K. Kitchin, B. Sen, G. Knapp, D.C. Wolf, and J. Robertson. Effects of dimethylarsinic acid (DMA(V)) on the urinary bladder of female F344 rats. Society of Toxicology 43rd Annual Meeting, Baltimore, Maryland. Mar. 21 - 25, 2004
• B. Sen, A. Wang, S.D. Hester, J.L. Robertson, and D.C. Wolf. Dose-dependent alteration of oxidative stress and DNA repair gene expression by dimethylarsinic acid [DMA(V)] in transitional epithelium of urinary bladder from female F344 rats. Society of Toxicology 43rd Annual Meeting, Baltimore, Maryland. Mar. 21 - 25, 2004
• J. Robertson, W. Huckle, A. Wang, A. Safaai-Jazi, W. Peng, Y. Zhang, W. Spillman, and K. Meissner. Utilization of unique Raman laser spectroscopic signature for detection of neoplastic disease in animals and humans. VMRCVM 15th Annual Research Symposium, Blacksburg, Virginia. June 5 - 6, 2003
• A Wang. Arsenic inhibits DNA damage repair by variably affecting the expression of DNA damage repair genes in urinary bladder cells: a proposal. Student Day of National Capital Area Chapter of Society of Toxicology, Washington, District of Columbia. Dec. 12, 2002
• A. Wang, C.J. Pfeiffer, and D. Barber. Selenium protection against mercury toxicity in cultured dolphin cells. Southeast and Mid-Atlantic Marine Mammal Symposium, Beaufort, North Carolina. Mar. 30 - Apr. 1, 2001
• A. Wang, C.J. Pfeiffer, and D. Barber. Selenium protection against mercury toxicity in dolphin cells in vitro. 17th Annual Research Symposium of Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia. Mar. 26, 2001
• D.C. Pfeiffer, A. Wang, and C.J. Pfeiffer. Lingual ultrastructure of the long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas). The 8th annual Atlantic Coastal Dolphin Conference, Wilmington, North Carolina. Mar. 24 - 26, 2000
• A. Wang, L. Sharova, K. Carlson, and C.J. Pfeiffer. Effects of mercuric chloride on Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis) renal cells. The 13th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, Maui, Hawaii. Nov. 28 - Dec. 3, 1999
• A. Wang, C.J. Pfeiffer, and L. Sharova. Effects of mercuric chloride on the cell proliferation, cell cycle and morphology of Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis) renal cell line. VMRCVM 11th Annual Research Symposium, Blacksburg, Virginia. May 26 - 27, 1999
• A. Wang, C.J. Pfeiffer, and L. Sharova. Effects of mercury on the cell proliferation and morphology of spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis) cell line. Atlantic Coastal Dolphin Conference, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Mar. 19 - 21, 1999

Presentation

• A. Wang. "How to give an effective English presentation"
  Institute of Ecology and Evolutional Biology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan. Oct. 5, 2007

Other publications and publication-related experience

• Ad hoc reviewer

  Toxicological Sciences, Oxford University Press, San Diego, California, 2003-2004

• Contributing author

  , Benesse Challenge magazine, Taipei, Fukutake Publication Co., LTD.
  • The monthly magazine and audio cassette are targeted to 1st to 3rd grade children for providing an interesting method of learning about nature

• Editor and Consultant, Eastern Publication Company, Ltd., Taipei, Taiwan. 1993 - 1994

  • Editor and consultant for The Life of Birds, a book of Sciences Cartoon Encyclopedia, a series of children’s books, and winner of Golden Tripod Award for outstanding publications
  • Provided information on bird biology, behavior, and bird-watching

Grants

• $250 from Graduate Research Development Project, Spring 2003. Awarded by Virginia Tech Graduate Student Assembly, Virginia Tech
• $2175 for Master’s Thesis study, Fall 1999. Awarded by the Research Focus Unit for Environmental Medicine and Toxicology, VMRCVM
• $2380 for Master’s Thesis study, Spring 1999. Awarded by the Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, VMRCVM

Scholarships and awards

• Third Place Presentation Award (oral presentation competition) at the VMRCVM 19th Annual Research Symposium, 2007. Awarded by VMRCVM.
• Graduate Support, 1999, 2001, 2003-2007. Awarded by Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, VMRCVM
• Bern Schwetz Student Travel Award (first place), 2005. Awarded by National Capital Area Chapter of Society of Toxicology
• Young Investigator Award (poster competition), 2004. Awarded by Society of Toxicologic Pathology
• Bern Schwetz Student Travel Award, 2004. Awarded by National Capital Area Chapter of Society of Toxicology
• Travel Fund Program Award, 2004. Awarded by Graduate Student Assembly of Virginia Tech
• Student Travel Award, 2003. Awarded by Society of Toxicological Pathology
• Student Travel Award, 1999. Awarded by Society for Marine Mammalogy
• Commencement Speaker, 1996. Selected by National Taiwan University
• President’s Award, 1993. Awarded by National Taiwan University to top 5% students in each academic class
• Liu’s Scholarship, 1993. Awarded by Liu’s Memorial Foundation for distinct academic progress
• Ministry of Education Scholarship, 1992. Awarded by Taiwan government

Research Experience

• Predoctoral Fellow/Ph.D Research,

  Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, VMRCVM, Blacksburg, Virginia. Aug. 2000 – present
  
  • Initiated and coordinated multi-laboratory research projects between U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at Research Triangle Park, North Carolina (Molecular Toxicology Branch, Cancer Biology Branch, and Cellular Toxicology Branch) and Virginia Tech (Center of Comparative Oncology, Clinical Research Laboratory, Biochemistry/Pharmacology Laboratory, and Toxicology Laboratory)
  • Developed an enzymatic method to selectively harvest urinary bladder transitional cells
  • Designed and conducted research to measure arsenic effects on cellular and sub-cellular structures, DNA damage, DNA damage repair, and repair gene expression
  • Collaborated with researchers at U.S. EPA to study arsenic effects on global gene expression, comparative gene expression between organs, oxidative stress, oxidative DNA damage, and chromosomal damage
  • Utilized image analysis software, including Image Processing Tool Kit plug-ins and Komet
  • Performed statistic analysis using SAS and other computer programs

• Student Volunteer,

  Environmental Carcinogenesis Division, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. May - July 2001; Aug. - Sept. 2003
  
  • Ran real time RT PCR after extracting RNA
  • Certified in good laboratory practice
  • Isolated and quantified RNA and DNA

• Graduate Research Assistant,

  DNA Sequencing Facility, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, VMRCVM, Blacksburg, Virginia. Aug. - Dec. 2000
  
  • Independently sequenced DNA samples submitted from various laboratories

• Graduate Research Assistant,

  Electron Microscope Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, VMRCVM, Blacksburg, Virginia. Aug. 1999 - May 2000
  
  • Developed computerized inventory system specifically for electron microscope laboratory
  • Developed and printed photographs taken under transmission electron microscope
  • Assisted in other electron microscope related work

Clinical Experience

• Volunteer Veterinarian,

  Taiwan Cetacean Stranding Network, Taipei, Taiwan. Oct. 1996 - Dec. 1999
  
  • Performed necropsies on stranded and by-caught cetaceans
  • Provided medical advice
  • Translated parts of Marine Mammals Ashore and other books from English to Chinese
  • Assisted in organizing conferences and overseas workshops

• Part-time Veterinary Clinician,

  National Taiwan University Veterinary Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. Nov.1996 - June 1998
  
  • Treated cats and dogs, including emergency and rehabilitation service

• Veterinary Assistant,

  Pao-An Animal Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. 1994 -1995
  
  • Assisted in surgery, blood and fecal testing, and animal nursing
  • Performed orchidectomy (neuter) and ovariohysterectomy (spay) of stray dogs at animal shelters

Teaching Experience

• Instructor,

  Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, VMRCVM, Blacksburg, Virginia. May - Aug. 2003
  
  • Instructed veterinary students in laboratory animal care, good laboratory practice, and experimental design as part of summer oncology training program

• Graduate Assistant,

  Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, VMRCVM, Blacksburg, Virginia. Jan. 2001 - Dec. 2004
  
  • Assisted in teaching material preparation and laboratory lectures; gave review sections for Veterinary Histology, a core curriculum class for first year veterinary students
  • Assisted in laboratory lectures for Veterinary Pathology, a core curriculum class for first year veterinary students
  • Graded quizzes and assignments in Veterinary Neurobiology course

• Speaker,

  Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, VMRCVM, Blacksburg, Virginia. Feb. 2000
  
  • Lectured “Introduction to Manatee Biology and Medicine” in Marine Mammal Biomedicine course

• Instructor,

  Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, VMRCVM, Blacksburg, Virginia. June 1999 - Aug. 2000
  
  • Instructed a veterinary student in cell culture technique, experimental design, and data analysis as part of a summer fellowship program
  • Instructed a technician in cell culture technique

• Graduate Teaching Assistant,

  Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, VMRCVM, Blacksburg, Virginia. Jan. - June 1998
  
  • Graded quizzes and assignments in Veterinary Neurobiology course

Professional Memberships

• Society of Toxicology

  • Chairperson for Student Symposium on Effective Presentation in Society of Toxicology 43rd Annual Meeting, July 2003 - Mar. 2004
  • Student Liaison to Continuing Education Committee, Mar. 2002 - Sept. 2003
  • Chairperson for Lunch with an Expert in Society of Toxicology 42nd Annual Meeting, Mar. 2002 - Apr. 2003
  • Chairperson for student and postdoctoral fellow mixer in Society of Toxicology 42nd Annual Meeting, Mar. 2002 - Apr. 2003
  • Member, Feb. 2002 - present

• Society of Toxicology, National Capital Area Chapel

  • Student representative, Nov. 2001 - Apr. 2003
  • Organized a one-day workshop for students, which became an annual event
  • Student vice-representative, Apr. 2000 - Nov. 2001
  • Member, Apr. 2000 - present

• Society of Toxicologic Pathology,

  2000 - present

• Society for Marine Mammalogy

  , 1999 - 2003

• International Association for Aquatic Animal Medicine (IAAAM),

  1999 – 2003

• Taipei Veterinary Medical Association,

  Taipei, Taiwan, 1996 - 1998

Affiliations

• Veterinary Medicine Science Graduate Student Association, Virginia Tech
  
  • Co-chairperson of Education Committee, Aug. 2000 - Aug. 2002
  • Organized average 3 seminars per semester
  • Member, Jan. 1999 - present
• International Club, Virginia Tech
  
  • Publicity Director, Aug. 2000 - Jan. 2001
  • Member, Aug. 2000 - 2003
• Chinese Student Association, Virginia Tech
  
  • Acting President, Jan. - Aug. 1999
  • Vice President, June - Dec. 1998
  • Member, Jan. 1998 - present
• China Youth Corps, Taiwan, Volunteer Medical Assistant, Feb. - Aug. 1996
  
• Association for Public Studies, National Taiwan University
  
  • Director of the Executive Board, Sept. 1994 - Sept. 1995
  • Chairman of Orientation Committee, Feb. - Sept. 1994
  • Chairman of Farewell Committee, Sept. 1993 - Sept. 1994
  • Member, Feb. 1992 - June 1996
• Taiwan Museum, Taiwan, Volunteer Guide, June - Sept. 1992
  
  • Volunteer guide for the animal section
• Parliamentary Procedure Study Camp, National Taiwan University, Counselor, Feb. 1992
  

Continuing Education

• My Sister’s Keeper Professional Development Retreat
  Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia. Mar. 26, 2007
• Woman’s Leadership Conference for Students
  Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia. Mar. 18, 2006
• Fundamentals of Nanotechnology: Chemistry, Exposure, Health/Environmental Assessments and Societal Impacts Continuing Education Course
  Society of Toxicology, New Orleans, Louisiana. Mar. 6, 2005
• Clinical Pathology – the Granddaddy of Biomarkers Continuing Education Course
  Society of Toxicology, New Orleans, Louisiana. Mar. 6, 2005
• Phototoxicity: Current Concepts, Experimental Designs, and Regulatory Expectations Continuing Education Course
  Society of Toxicology, New Orleans, Louisiana. Mar. 6, 2005
• Writing in the Sciences Workshop
  National Capital Area Chapter, Society of Toxicology, Bethesda, Maryland. Nov. 3, 2004
• Tools for Functional Genomics Continuing Education Course
  Society of Toxicology, Baltimore, Maryland. Mar. 21, 2004
• Herbals and Dietary Supplements in Athletic Performance Enhancement: Fact vs. Fiction Continuing Education Course
  Society of Toxicology, Baltimore, Maryland. Mar. 21, 2004
• Good Laboratory Practices Course
  National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory (NHEERL) Trainee Organization, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Sept. 10, 2003
• Digital Microscopy and Analysis Continuing Education Course
  Society of Toxicologic Pathology, Savannah, Georgia. June 15, 2003
• Writing Successful Grants (While Avoiding Common Proposal Pitfalls) Workshop
  Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia. May 23, 2003
• Essential Informatics for Toxicologists Continuing Education Course
  Society of Toxicology, Salt Lake City, Utah. Mar. 9, 2003
• Epigenetics of Cancer Continuing Education Course
  Society of Toxicology, Salt Lake City, Utah. Mar. 9, 2003
• Internal Dosimetry: Measurement of DNA Damage as an Indicator of Internal Exposure to Genotoxicants Continuing Education Course
  Society of Toxicology, Nashville, Tennessee. Mar. 17, 2002
• How to Present Effectively Workshop
  National Capital Area Chapter, Society of Toxicology, Washington, District of Columbia. Dec. 12, 2002
• Training the Future Professional Workshop
  Research and Graduate Studies, Blacksburg, Virginia. Apr. 29, 2000
• Presentation Skill Workshop
  Center of Excellence Undergraduate Teaching, Blacksburg, Virginia. Mar. 11, 1998
• New Technologies Symposium
  VMRCVM Student Chapter of the American Animal Hospital Association, Blacksburg, Virginia. Feb. 28 1998
• Continuing Education in Veterinary Medicine
  University of California at Davis, Davis, California. Aug. 8 - Sept. 2, 1994
  120 hours of lecture and laboratory on small animals