BILLY A. WATSON, Ph.D.

Well-qualified Microbiologist/ Molecular Biologist knowledgeable about diagnostic testing, molecular techniques, and parasitology. Exceptional research skills with demonstrated success in study design and execution. Well-organized and enthusiastic with good communication and problem-solving skills.

• Medical Laboratory Scientist, Cert #:10649, ASCP, 2019 - present
• Pulsenet WGS FASTq/Analysis Certification, CDC, 2019
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace, MUMA College of Business, University of South Florida, 2021

• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• Council of Professions Supplementary to Medicine, Ministry of Health, Jamaica
• American Association of Anatomists

• Resident Advisor, 2015, 2018, Daniells Residence Complex, LLU
• Diversity Steering Committee, 2015, Loma Linda University
• President, 2014, 2015, Black Health Professional Student Association, LLU
• General VP, 2013, 2014, Black Health Professional Student Association, LLU

• LLU Annual Postgraduate Convention Poster presentation 1st place awardee, 2014
• LLU Basic Science Symposium Poster presentation 3rd place awardee, 2015
• American Association of Anatomists Travel Award, 2014, 2015, 2017

Peer-reviewed Articles

• LHX2 mediates the FGF to SHH regulatory loop during limb development, Journal of Developmental Biology, 2018, Watson BA, Feenstra JM, Van Arsdale JM, Rai-Bhatti KS, Kim DJH, Coggins AS, Mattison GL, Yoo S, Steinman ED, Pira CU, Gongol BR, Oberg KC,
• Lmx1b-Targeted cis-Regulatory Modules Involved in Limb Dorsalization, Development, 2017, Haro E, Watson BA, Feenstra JM, Tegeler L, Pira CU, Mohan S, Oberg KC,
• Stability and Bioactivity of Chitosan as a Transfection Agent in Primary Human Cell Cultures: A Case for Chitosan-only Controls, Carbohydrate Polymers, 2017, Cupino TL, Watson BA, Cupino A, Oda K, Ghamsary MG, Kirsch WM,

Book Chapter

• Congenital Upper Limb Anomalies, Risk Factors, Diagnosis and Management, Advances in Medicine and Biology, 107, NOVA Science Publishers, Inc., 2016, Watson BA, Oberg KC,

Presentations

• LHX2 is a necessary intermediate in FGF-mediated SHH expression during limb development, Department of Human Anatomy, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, 2017, Oral presentation.
• PG2096 plays an important role in Oxidative Stress Resistance in Porphyromonas gingivalis W83, Northern Caribbean University, Department of Biology and Chemistry: Master’s Thesis – Oral and Written Presentations.
• Lim Homeobox 2 (LHX2) requires a protein partner to elicit its effects during FGF-mediated SHH expression in the developing limb, Department of Human Anatomy, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, 2016, Poster presentation.
• Co-incident upregulation of HoxA13 and SHH by FGF in the developing limb bud, Department of Human Anatomy, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, 2016, Poster presentation.
• LHX2: an intermediate in FGF-mediated SHH induction in the developing limb, Department of Human Anatomy, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, 2015, Poster presentation.
• Downstream targets of FGF signaling may mediate Sonic hedgehog expression through the ZPA Regulatory Sequence, Department of Human Anatomy, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, 2015, Poster presentation.
• LHX2: A critical link in the FGF to SHH pathway, Department of Human Anatomy, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, 2014, Poster presentation

Published Abstracts 

• Graduate Student Researcher, 2013, 2018, Loma Linda University, Division of Human Anatomy, Loma Linda, CA, Kerby C. Oberg, Used Next Generation Sequencing technology, RT-PCR, RT-qPCR, in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry to map out the early and late events in limb development. Published 3 peer-reviewed articles and a book chapter. Presented work at local, national, and international conferences. Supervised students’ summer research projects leading to abstract publications and conference presentations.
• Graduate Student Researcher, 2011, 2012, Loma Linda University, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Loma Linda, CA, Hansel Fletcher, Used DNA microarray analysis and other molecular biology techniques to identify and delete a bacterial gene cluster which we demonstrated was necessary for oxidative stress resistance in the oral pathogen, Porphyromomas gingivalis. Oral and written presentation of this work done for thesis defense.
• Undergraduate Student Researcher, 2008, 2008, Northern Caribbean University, Medical Technology Department, Jamaica, WI, Patricia Haakmat (NCU) and UHWI, Highlighted the dangers of working in a Histology laboratory in Jamaica. Developed a Histology Laboratory Safety Manual in line with ISO standards to increase awareness of safety protocols and help reduce health risks associated with processing histological specimen. Presented this research as an oral presentation for colleagues, associates, and professors.