Marvin Center

Graduate Biology Student Researcher at Arizona State University

About Me

Marvin is a second-year Biology M.S. student in Dan Cox’s 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 is a few years ahead of him academically, already having earned her doctorate degree 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.

Relevant Skills

Interpersonal

  • Written and oral communication (English, Spanish); cross-cultural communication; mentorship; empathy; patience; problem solving

Imaging

  • Fluorescence, stereo, and compound microscopy

  • Confocal microscopy: upright, live and fixed sample; ZEISS LSM 780 and Leica Stellaris

Biochemistry, Biology, and Genetics

  • Immunohistochemistry; miniPCR; gel electrophoresis

  • CRISPR/Cas9 and Gal4/UAS gene-editing; Drosophila rearing; genetic cross design

Chemical Analysis

  • UV-Vis and infrared spectroscopy; column, thin-layer, and gas chromatography

Chemical Analysis

  • ChemDraw, TitriSoft, TopSpin, NeuTube, Vaa3D, BioRender

  • Adobe Photoshop, Canva, Google Workspace, and Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

  • Proficient in R, MATLAB, and ImageJ Macro languages

Experiences

Work and Internships

  • New Student Orientation Assistant, Georgia State University Honors College (Apr-Aug 2025)

  • Front Desk Student Assistant, Georgia State University Honors College (Jan 2024-Aug 2025)

  • Lead Science Olympiad Assistant, Georgia State University Department of Chemistry (Jan-Feb 2025)

  • Case Checking Intern, ReelDx (Sep 2023-Mar 2024)

  • Organic Chemistry Notetaker, Access and Accommodations Office at Georgia State (Aug-Dec 2022)

  • Atlas Assistant and Translator, GSU Study Abroad – Multicultural Ecuador Program (May 2022)

Extracurriculars

  • Member, Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society, Arizona State University (2025-Present)

  • Member, GRADient, Arizona State University (2025-Present)

  • Member, American Chemical Society Rubber Division at GSU (2024-2025)

  • American Chemical Society Student Affiliates Chapter at Georgia State
    President (2025); Vice President (2024-2025); Secretary (2023-2024); Member (2022-2023)

  • Member, Undergraduate STEM Research Society, Georgia State University (2022-2025)

  • Member, Honors Student Organization, Georgia State University (2021-2025)

  • Member, Georgia State University Spanish Club (2021-2025)

  • Member, GSU Premedical Mentorship and Clinical Program (2023-2024)

Volunteering

  • Oral Presentation Moderator, Georgia State Undergraduate Research Conference (Apr 2025)

  • STEM Conference Volunteer Coordinator, Undergraduate STEM Research Society at GSU (Mar 2025)

  • Donation Center Volunteer, Atlanta Mission (Sep 2024-Dec 2024)

  • STEM Conference Volunteer, Undergraduate STEM Research Society at GSU (Oct 2024)

  • Lead Volunteer Coordinator, Georgia Science Olympiad Division B Middle School Tournament (Feb 2024)

  • Translator, Wellstar Cobb Hospital Occupational Therapy (Feb 2024)

  • Volunteer, Emory Winship Cancer Institute College Program (2023-2024)

  • Volunteer, Southeastern Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society (Oct 2023)

  • Oral Presentation Moderator, Undergraduate STEM Research Society at GSU (Sep 2023)

Research Experience

Graduate Research Assistant – Thesis
Aug 2025-Present
Advisor: Daniel N. Cox, Ph.D., School of Life Sciences, Arizona State UniversityI study how phospholipid membrane composition influences neuronal morphology and cold nociception in Drosophila.Undergraduate Research Assistant – Honors Thesis
Jun 2023-Aug 2025
Advisor: Daniel N. Cox, Ph.D., Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State UniversityI investigated the impact of ribosome heterogeneity on dendritic morphology in Drosophila. I then worked with my daily mentor to develop analytical macros to reduce data processing time.Undergraduate Research Assistant
Jan-Jun 2023
Advisor: Maged Henary, Ph.D., Department of Chemistry, Georgia State UniversityI synthesized and purified therapeutic near-infrared fluorophores with my daily mentor, and I independently performed a UV-Vis optical property study. I also integrated and interpreted proton NMR spectra.

Presentations and Publications

Papers

  • Center, M. Dissecting the impact of ribosome heterogeneity on cell-type-specific dendritic architecture. Honors Thesis, Georgia State University, Fall 2024.

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; Oct 2023; Virtual.

  • Center, M., Bhattacharjee, S., Cox, D.N. Small Subjects, Big Impact: Understanding How Ribosomal Protein Expression Affects Neuronal Morphology. Georgia State University Honors Thesis Pitch; Apr 2025; Atlanta, GA.

  • Center, M., Bhattacharjee, S., Cox, D.N. Small Subjects, Big Data: Macros for Neuromorphometric Analysis in Drosophila. Arizona State University School of Life Sciences BIO 542 Seminar Series; Sep 2025; Tempe, AZ.

Poster Presentations

  • Center, M., Patel, A.A., Bhattacharjee, S., Cox, D.N. Protocol for Neuronal Image Segmentation, Neurite Feature Extraction, and Statistical Analyses.
    Georgia State Undergraduate Research Conference; Apr 2025; Atlanta, GA.
    Georgia Tech Undergraduate Neuroscience Research Symposium; Apr 2025; Atlanta, GA.

  • Center, L., Center, M. A Review of Synthetic PDE-5 Inhibitors in Adulterated Sexual Enhancement Supplements.
    Undergraduate STEM Research Society Spring Conference; Mar 2025; Atlanta, GA.

  • Center, M., Patel, A.A., Bhattacharjee, S., Cox, D.N. Protocol for Neuronal Image Segmentation, Neurite Feature Extraction, and Statistical Analyses.
    Bridging Minds & Machines: Exploring the Intersection of Neuroscience & Technology; Mar 2025; Atlanta, GA.
    Undergraduate STEM Research Society Spring Conference; Mar 2025; Atlanta, GA.

  • Center, M., Bhattacharjee, S., Cox, D.N. Dissecting the impact of ribosome heterogeneity on cell-type-specific dendritic architecture.
    Annual Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation Symposium; Aug 2024; Boston, MA.
    Molecular Basis of Disease Summer Symposium; Aug 2024; Atlanta, GA.
    American Chemical Society (ACS) Undergrad. Biochemistry Research Symposium; Aug 2024; Denver, CO.
    American Chemical Society Sci-Mix (Top 10% of BIOL Division abstracts); Aug 2024; Denver, CO.
    Southeastern Regional Meeting of the ACS Undergraduate Research Symposium; Oct 2024; Atlanta, GA.

  • Center, M., Bhattacharjee, S., Lottes, E.N., Cox, D.N. Dissecting the impact of ribosome heterogeneity on cell-type-specific dendritic architecture in Drosophila melanogaster.
    Undergraduate STEM Research Society Spring Conference; Mar 2024; Atlanta, GA.
    Georgia State Undergraduate Research Conference; Apr 2024; 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; Aug 2023; Atlanta, GA.
    Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Students; Nov 2023; Phoenix, AZ.
    Undergraduate STEM Research Society Fall Conference; Nov 2023; Atlanta, GA.

  • 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.

Invited Talks

  • Beckman Scholarship Application Workshop. Georgia State University Honors College; Feb 2025; Virtual.

  • Gilman Scholarship Information Session. Georgia State University Honors College; Sep 2024; Virtual.

  • Undergraduate Research Week Scholarship and Award Opportunities Workshop. Georgia State University Office of National Scholarships and Fellowships; Apr 2024; Virtual.

  • Honors College Accepted Student Visit. Georgia State University Honors College; Apr 2024; Virtual.

  • Beckman Scholarship Application Workshop. Georgia State University Honors College; Feb 2024; Virtual.

Teaching Experience

Graduate Teaching Assistant, School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University

  • General Genetics (Lecture and Recitation), Dr. Tsafrir Mor, Fall 2025

  • Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab, Heather Hutcherson, Fall 2026

Undergraduate Teaching Assistant, Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University

  • General Chemistry I Lab
    Dr. Gigi Ray, Fall 2022
    Dr. Bin Xu, Fall 2022

  • Organic Chemistry I Lab
    Dr. Emmanuel Buabeng, Spring 2023
    Dr. David Connors, Fall 2023

  • Organic Chemistry I Lecture
    Dr. David Connors, Fall 2023

SI Leader, Office of Supplemental Instruction, Georgia State University

  • Organic Chemistry II, Dr. Joan Comar, Spring 2023

Education

Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
Master of Science in Biology, Research and Thesis Track
2025-2028 (Expected)Georgia State University Honors College, Atlanta, GA
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Pre-Medical Concentration
4.04 GPA, Summa Cum Laude
2021-2025Bachelor of Arts in World Languages and Cultures, Spanish Concentration
4.04 GPA, Summa Cum Laude
2021-2025U.S. Career Institute, Remote
Clinical Medical Assistant Certificate
4.0 GPA
2024

Awards

  • Distinction in Chemistry, GSU Department of Chemistry, 2025

  • Honors Research Laureate, GSU Honors College, 2025

  • Award of Excellence, GSU Center for the Advancement of Students and Alumni, 2025

  • Most Outstanding Poster Design, Georgia Tech Undergraduate Neuroscience Research Symposium, 2025

  • Undergraduate Award in World Languages and Cultures (highest departmental GPA), GSU, 2025

  • People’s Choice Award, Georgia State University Honors Thesis Pitch Competition, 2025

  • 3rd Place, Georgia State University Honors Thesis Pitch Competition, 2025

  • Best Overall University Scholar Award, GSU Department of Chemistry, 2025

  • Undergraduate Outstanding Leadership Award, GSU Department of Chemistry, 2025

  • Global Scholar Distinction, GSU Office of International Initiatives, 2025

  • President's List, Georgia State University (8 semesters)

  • Dean’s List, Georgia State University (2 semesters)

  • Dean's List, U.S. Career Institute (2024)

  • Virtual Exchange Badge (for Biology iGEM and COVID-19 data projects), GSU, 2022, 2023

  • Undergraduate Student Teaching Assistant Award, GSU Department of Chemistry, 2023

  • Supplemental Instruction Leader of the Month, GSU, 2023

  • CTSO Certificate of Excellence in Epidemiology, Georgia Department of Education, 2021

Scholarships and Fellowships

  • Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) Research Assistantship (NIH-funded), 2024-2025

  • Honors College University Research Assistantship, GSU Neuroscience Institute, 2024-2025

  • Zell Miller Scholarship, Georgia Student Finance Commission (merit-based full-tuition award), 2021-2025

  • Emeriti Association Research Grant, GSU Honors College, 2024

  • Beckman Scholars Program Awardee (1 of 2 selected institutionally for long-term funded research), 2023-2024

  • Honors College University Teaching Assistantship, GSU Department of Chemistry, 2022-2024

  • Empowering Excellence Scholarship, GSU Honors College, 2024

  • Molecular Basis of Disease Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow (advisor-nominated research award), 2024

  • Bradford Scott Beerman Memorial Scholarship, GSU Department of Chemistry, 2024

  • Barry Goldwater Scholarship Nominee (1 of 4 nominated institutionally), 2024

  • Tri-Cities High School Scholarship, GSU, 2024

  • Gilman International Study Abroad Scholarship, U.S. Department of State (Italian language study), 2023

  • Overcoming Challenges Scholarship, GSU, 2022

  • Coca-Cola Global Ambassadors Scholarship, 2022

  • College of Arts and Sciences Scholarship, GSU 2022

Selected Coursework

Graduate

Pedagogy

  • K-12 STEM Education & Outreach (A+)

  • Scientific Teaching (IP)

Biology

  • Advanced Evolutionary Biology (IP)

  • Advanced Evolutionary Medicine (IP)

Languages

  • Introductory Theory of Spanish Translation (A+)

Undergraduate

Biology

  • Principles of Biology II (A+)

  • Molecular Cell Biology (A+)

  • Genetics (A+)

Chemistry

  • Organic Chemistry II and Honors Lab (A+)

  • Structure and Reactivity of Biomolecules (A)

  • Biochemistry I (A+)

  • Fundamentals of Chemical Analysis (A+)

  • Instrumental Analysis (A+)

  • Intro to Biophysical Chemistry (A+)

World Languages

  • 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 II (A)

Miscellaneous

  • Calculus for the Life Sciences II (A+)

  • Principles of Physics II (A+)

  • Scientific Perspectives on Global Problems (A)

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

  • Honors Service Learning (Topic: Homelessness) (A)