Marvin Center

Graduate Biology Student Researcher at Arizona State University

About Me

Marvin is a first year Biology M.S. student in Dan Cox’s neuroscience lab. His background is in chemistry, Spanish language, and molecular genetics, and he researches how phospholipid membrane composition influences neuronal morphology and cold nociception in Drosophila.Marvin and his spouse recently moved to Arizona from Atlanta, Georgia, where he pursued his undergraduate degrees in Chemistry and Spanish. Sadly, his cat and hamsters are a few years ahead of him academically, all having earned their doctorate degrees in Napping.Following completion of his degree, Marvin plans to complete a PhD in Biochemistry or a related field and continue his career in academia. He has always been passionate about education, fostering a love for STEM in underserved communities, and increasing participation in and access to research opportunities for low-income, LGBT+, disabled, and minoritized students. As an undergraduate, he enjoyed translating scientific papers and STEM articles into Spanish, and he assisted Wellstar Cobb Hospital with translating physical therapy documents for the local Hispanic community. His longterm career goal is to run a drug discovery research lab, synthesizing new medications to assist those with chronic disabilities like himself and his partner.When he’s not in the lab, he takes every chance he has to travel, whether it be to present his research in Boston or study abroad in South America. He also loves creating art, listening to alt music, playing video games, and spending time with his niece and nephew, who constantly call him a nerd.

Research

I work in Dr. Daniel Cox's lab as a Beckman Scholar at the Neuroscience Institute at Georgia State University.In this lab, I work closely with a postdoctoral researcher to determine how ribosome heterogeneity contributes to the development of dendritic architectures in Drosophila melanogaster. As part of this project, I reconstruct neuronal images taken from in vivo experiments, quantifying fluorescent signals in Class I and Class IV neurons. I then analyze this data to determine if knockdown of specific ribosomal proteins impacts the trafficking of ribosomes throughout the dendritic arbor and/or at dendritic branching points.Additionally, I have research experience in synthetic organic chemistry, specifically with purification and characterization of therapeutic near-infrared (NIR) fluorophores.

Skills

  • MATLAB

  • NeuTube

  • Vaa3D

  • FIJI (ImageJ)

  • Photoshop

  • ChemDraw

  • UV-Vis Spectroscopy

  • Column Chromatography

  • Recrystallization

Oral Presentations

  • Center, M., Bhattacharjee, S., Lottes, E.N., Cox, D.N. Ribosome heterogeneity and dendritic morphology in Drosophila melanogaster. Undergraduate STEM Research Society Speaker Series; October 2023; Virtual.

Poster Presentations

  • Reboli, E., Center, M., Henary, M. Synthesis, characterization, and optical properties of donor-acceptor-donor heptamethine cyanine fluorophores. Chemistry Graduate Student Association Spring Research Symposium; May 2023; Atlanta, GA.

  • Center, M., Bhattacharjee, S., Lottes, E.N., Cox, D.N. Differential roles of ribosomal proteins in regulating dendritic architecture. Summer Scholar Workshop Series Closing Research Symposium; August 2023; Atlanta, GA.

  • Center, M., Bhattacharjee, S., Lottes, E.N., Cox, D.N. Differential roles of ribosomal proteins in regulating dendritic architecture. Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Students; November 2023; Phoenix, AZ, and Undergraduate STEM Research Society Fall Conference; November 2023; Atlanta, GA.

Selected Awards

  • 2024 Georgia State University Barry Goldwater Scholarship Nominee

  • 2023 Beckman Scholar

  • 2023 Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship

  • 2023 Undergraduate Student Assistant Award, Department of Chemistry

  • 2022 Coca-Cola Global Ambassadors Scholarship

  • Dean’s List, Fall 2021 and Summer 2022

  • President’s List, Fall 2022, Spring 2023, Summer 2023, and Fall 2023

Coursework

Chemistry

  • Organic Chemistry II and Honors Lab (A+)

  • Structure and Reactivity of Biomolecules (A)

  • Intermediate Chemical Research (A)

  • Biochemistry I (A+)

World Languages

  • Introductory Theory of Spanish Translation (Graduate, A+)

  • Honors Advanced Spanish Grammar II (A)

  • Honors Oral Communication in Spanish (A)

  • Written Communication in Spanish (A)

  • Honors Study Abroad in Spanish (A)

  • Elementary Italian (A)

Miscellaneous

  • Calculus for the Life Sciences I and II (A+)

  • Principles of Biology II (A+)

  • Principles of Physics I (A+)

  • Scientific Perspectives on Global Problems (A)

  • How Caste Has Shaped and Defined Healthcare in America (S)

Experiences

Work Experience

  • Student Assistant, Georgia State University Honors College (Jan 2024-Present)

  • Case-Checking Intern, ReelDx (Sep 2023-Present)

  • Teaching Assistant, Georgia State Department of Chemistry (Aug 2022-Present)

  • Organic Chemistry Supplemental Instruction Leader, Georgia State University Division of Student Success (Jan 2023-May 2023)

  • Closing Shift Supervisor, Starbucks (Jan 2022-Jun 2022)

  • Crew Leader, Bruster's Real Ice Cream (Jul 2018-Aug 2020)

Extracurriculars

  • Secretary and Member, American Chemical Society Student Chapter at Georgia State (Aug 2022-Present)

  • Member, GSU Premedical Mentorship and Clinical Program (Aug 2023-Present)

  • Member, GSU Undergraduate STEM Research Society (Aug 2022-Present)

  • Member, GSU Spanish Club (Aug 2021-Present)