Amanda Raimer

B.S. Widener University, 2009-2013

Ph.D. University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, 2013-2020

 

HHMI Inclusive Excellence Teaching Postdoc at Radford University, 2020-2024

 

 

I am interested in using genetic and molecular techniques to study disease. In graduate school I utilized fruit flies as a model to study the function of the SMN protein and elicit how patient mutations in the gene lead to the neurodegenerative disease spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). As a postdoctoral fellow I joined the SEA-PHAGES/SEA-GENES program, and worked with undergraduates to annotate bacteriophage genomes and characterize phage genes using molecular cloning and various phenotypic assays. While I do not have an active research program, I am passionate about bringing authentic research into the classroom and am always looking for opportunities to incorporate course-based undergraduate research and interdisciplinary course collaborations.

 

As an educator, I strive to help students develop into life-long learners and scientifically-literate citizens. In my courses students will build their skills in critical thinking, problem solving, and science communication, as well as discover and grow their scientific interests. My teaching philosophy focuses on the ideas that the best learning happens when students 1) participate in authentic experiences, 2) connect the materials to their passions and everyday life, and 3) feel a sense of inclusion and belonging in their class/science community. My hope is that through my teaching and classroom environment, every student will feel supported in their learning and builds confidence in their science identity.

 

 

Raimer AC, Stefaniak K, Edwards K, Harrell J, Roberts T, and Liss S, “Creating impactful moments: Using peer role models to build community and sense of belonging in STEM.” Jonathan S. Briganti, Jill C. Sible, and Anne M. Brown, eds. (2024). Fostering Communities of Transformation in STEM Higher Education: A Multi-institutional Collection of DEI Initiatives. Blacksburg: Virginia Tech Publishing. https://doi.org/10.21061/fosteringcommunities.

DeBoy CA, Gough L, Kennedy SA, Raimer AC, and Sible J, “From the Soul: Learning and leading together toward Inclusive Excellence.” Jonathan S. Briganti, Jill C. Sible, and Anne M. Brown, eds. (2024). Fostering Communities of Transformation in STEM Higher Education: A Multi-institutional Collection of DEI Initiatives. Blacksburg: Virginia Tech Publishing. https://doi.org/10.21061/fosteringcommunities. 

Lau JK, Mekolichick J, Raimer AC, and Kennedy SA , “Assessing changes in student engagement using a mixed-methods approach.” Jonathan S. Briganti, Jill C. Sible, and Anne M. Brown, eds. (2024). Fostering Communities of Transformation in STEM Higher Education: A Multi-institutional Collection of DEI Initiatives. Blacksburg: Virginia Tech Publishing. https://doi.org/10.21061/fosteringcommunities. 

Garcia EL, Steiner RE, Raimer AC, Herring LE, Matera AG, Spring AM. “Dysregulation of innate immune signaling in animal models of spinal muscular atrophy.” BMC Biol. 2024;  22(1): 94.  doi: 10.1186/s12915-024-01888-z

Gupta A, Wen Y, Ninan NS, Raimer AC, Sharp R, Spring AM, Sarachan KL, Johnson MC, Van Duyne GD, Matera AG. “Assembly of higher-order SMN oligomers is essential for metazoan viability and requires and exposed structural motif present in the YG zipper dimer.” Nucleic Acids Res. 2021 Jul 21; 49(13): 7644-7664. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkab508

Raimer AC, Singh S, Edula M, Paris-Davila T, Vandadi V, Spring AM, Matera AG. “Temperature sensitive SMA-causing point mutations lead to SMN instability, locomotor defects, and premature lethality in Drosophila.” Dis Model Mech. 2020 May 22; 13(5): dmm043307. doi: 10.1242/dmm.043307

Spring A, Raimer AC, Hamilton CD, Schillinger MJ, Matera AG. “Comprehensive modeling on Spinal Muscular Atrophy in Drosophila melanogaster.” Front. Mol. Neuro. 2019 May 16; 12: 113. doi: 10.3389/fnmol.2019.00113

Gray KM, Kaifer KA, Baillat D, Wen Y, Bonacci TR, Ebert AD, Raimer AC, Spring AM, Glascock JJ, ten Have S, Emanuele MJ, Lamond AI, Wagner EJ, Lorson CL, Matera AG. “Self-oligomerization regulates stability of survival motor neuron isoforms by sequestering an SCF^Slmb degron.” Mol Biol Cell. 2018 Jan 15; 29(2): 96-110.  doi: 10.1091/mbc.E17-11-0627

Raimer AC, Gray KM, and Matera AG. “SMN – A chaperone for nuclear RNP social occasions?” RNA Biology. 2017; 14(6): 701-711. doi: 10.1080/15476286.2016.1236168