William Ian Towler's Curriculum Vitae
Education
2007 – Current M.S., Bioscience Regulatory Affairs, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
2000 – 2002 M.S., Biology, Marshall University, Huntington, WV (My Thesis 
)
)1996 – 2000 B.S., Zoology, Miami University, Oxford, OH
Publications
Towler WI, James M, Ray SC, Wang L, Donnell D, Mwatha A, Guay L, Nakabiito C, Musoke P, Jackson JB, and Eshleman, SH. Analysis of HIV diversity using a high resolution melting assay. In Press [AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses PMC Journal – In Process].
Towler, W.I., Barlow-Mosha, L., Church, J.D., Bagenda, D., Ajuna, P., Mubiru, M. Musoke, P., Eshleman, S.H. Analysis of drug resistance in children receiving antiretroviral therapy for treatment of HIV-1 infection in Uganda. AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses. May 2010, 26(5): 563-568.
Towler, W.I., Church, J.D., Eshleman, J.R., Fowler, M., Guay, L., Jackson, B., Eshleman, S.H. Analysis of nevirapine resistance mutations in cloned HIV-1 variants from HIV-infected Ugandan infants using a single step amplification-sequencing method (AmpliSeq). AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses. Sep, 2008, 24(9) :1209-1213.
PMID: 18788912
PMID: 18788912
Church, J.D., Towler, W.I., Hoover, D.R., Hudelson, S.E., Kumwenda, N., Taha, T.E., Eshleman, J.R., & S. H. Eshleman. Comparison of LigAmp and an ASPCR Assay for Detection and Quantification of K103N-Containing HIV Variants. AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses. April, 2008, 24(4): 595-605.
PMID: 18370589
Norton, M., Neff, D., Towler, W.I., Day, S., Grambos, Z., Shremshock, M., Butts, H., Meadows, C., Samiso, Y., Cao, H., Rahman, M. Designed Self Organization for molecular optoelectronics. Proc. of SPIE 2006; Vol. 6212 621203-1.
Lushnikova, T., V. Fet & W.I. Towler. Phylogenetic analysis and genomic structure of the cone photoreceptor gene, NCKX2 (SLC24A2). Proceedings of the West Virginia Academy of Sciencе, 2006; 78(2): 33-47.
Peles, J.D., Towler, W.I. & S.I. Guttman. Population genetic structure of earthworms (Lumbricus rubellus) in soils contaminated by heavy metals. Ecotoxicology 2003; 12:379-386
PMID: 14649420
Towler, W. I., Ponce Saavedra, J., Gantenbein, B. & V. Fet. Mitochondrial DNA reveals a divergent phylogeny in tropical Centruroides (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from Mexico. Biogeographica 2001; 77(4):157-172
Presentations
Towler, W.I., Khaki, L., Wang, L., James, M., Musoke, P., Coates, T., Moore, R., Kelen, G., Laeyendecker, O., & Eshleman, S.H. Use of a High-Resolution Melting (HRM) Assay to Evaluate HIV Gag Region Diversity in HIV-Infected Adults with Different Stages of HIV Infection. 17th Annual Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI). San Francisco, CA.
Towler, W.I., Church, J.D., Eshleman, J.R., Fowler, M.G., Guay, L.A., Jackson, J.B., & Eshleman, S.H. Use of a single step amplification-sequencing method (AmpliSeq) to analyze nevirapine resistance mutations in HIV-1 variants from Ugandan infants. Association of Molecular Pathologists, 2008 Annual Meeting, Grapevine, TX Journal of Molecular Diagnostics 2008; Nov, Vol. 10:6, pg 615.
Towler, W.I., Church, J.D., Hoover, D.R., Kumwenda, N., Taha, T.E., & S.H. Eshleman. Comparison of a Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Assay with LigAmp for Detection of K103N-Containing HIV Variants. Association of Molecular Pathologists, 2007 Annual Meeting, Los Angeles, CA. Journal of Molecular Diagnostics 2007; Nov, Vol. 9:5, pg 702.
Towler, W.I., Bailey, D., & P. Staton. Detection and quantification of Escherichia coli using real-time polymerase chain reaction on a Roche Lightcycler 2.0. Research Day, Marshall University School of Medicine. March 2003.
Towler, W.I. & E. Bryda. Identification of putative protein interactions with bicaudal- C using yeast two-hybrid analysis. Sigma Xi Research Day, Marshall University. April 2003.
Fet, V., Soleglad, M. E., Gantenbein, B., Towler, W.I., & E.V. Fet. DNA analysis indicates a new phylogeny of Euscorpius (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae) from Greece. Association of Southeastern Biologists 63rd Annual Meeting, Appalachian State University. April 2002.
Towler, W.I., Fet, V., Ponce Saavedra, J., & B. Gantenbein. Genetic divergence in Central Mexican Centruroides limpidus and Centruroides infamatus (Scorpiones: Buthidae) as revealed by 16S mitochondrial DNA. American Arachnological Society 25th Annual Meeting, Keene State College, Keene, New Hampshire. July 2001.
Towler, W.I., Ponce Saavedra, J., Gantenbein, B., & V. Fet. Mitochondrial DNA systematics of Central Mexican Centruroides (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Association of Southeastern Biologists 62nd Annual Meeting, April 2001. Tulane / Loyola University, New Orleans, Louisiana. Published in Southeastern Biology 2001; 48(2):100.
Towler, W.I., Lushnikova, T., Bailey, T., Payton, H. & V. Fet. Phylogeny of the Eurasian species of Mustela (Carnivora: Mustelidae) derived from 16S rRNA gene of mitochondrial DNA. 21st Annual Midwest Ecology & Evolution Conference, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. March, 2001.
Work Experience
10/11/2006 – Present Research Specialist, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions.
Towler, W.I., Church, J.D., Hoover, D.R., Kumwenda, N., Taha, T.E., & S.H. Eshleman. Comparison of a Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Assay with LigAmp for Detection of K103N-Containing HIV Variants. Association of Molecular Pathologists, 2007 Annual Meeting, Los Angeles, CA. Journal of Molecular Diagnostics 2007; Nov, Vol. 9:5, pg 702.
Towler, W.I., Bailey, D., & P. Staton. Detection and quantification of Escherichia coli using real-time polymerase chain reaction on a Roche Lightcycler 2.0. Research Day, Marshall University School of Medicine. March 2003.
Towler, W.I. & E. Bryda. Identification of putative protein interactions with bicaudal- C using yeast two-hybrid analysis. Sigma Xi Research Day, Marshall University. April 2003.
Fet, V., Soleglad, M. E., Gantenbein, B., Towler, W.I., & E.V. Fet. DNA analysis indicates a new phylogeny of Euscorpius (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae) from Greece. Association of Southeastern Biologists 63rd Annual Meeting, Appalachian State University. April 2002.
Towler, W.I., Fet, V., Ponce Saavedra, J., & B. Gantenbein. Genetic divergence in Central Mexican Centruroides limpidus and Centruroides infamatus (Scorpiones: Buthidae) as revealed by 16S mitochondrial DNA. American Arachnological Society 25th Annual Meeting, Keene State College, Keene, New Hampshire. July 2001.
Towler, W.I., Ponce Saavedra, J., Gantenbein, B., & V. Fet. Mitochondrial DNA systematics of Central Mexican Centruroides (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Association of Southeastern Biologists 62nd Annual Meeting, April 2001. Tulane / Loyola University, New Orleans, Louisiana. Published in Southeastern Biology 2001; 48(2):100.
Towler, W.I., Lushnikova, T., Bailey, T., Payton, H. & V. Fet. Phylogeny of the Eurasian species of Mustela (Carnivora: Mustelidae) derived from 16S rRNA gene of mitochondrial DNA. 21st Annual Midwest Ecology & Evolution Conference, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. March, 2001.
Work Experience
10/11/2006 – Present Research Specialist, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions.
- Development of Assays for use in HIV-1 Research
- Conducted Research on HIV-1 drug resistance and transmission using various molecular methods:
- Sequencing – ViroSeq, AmpliSeq
- Real Time PCR – Ligamp, ASPCR
08/01/2005 – 10/06/2006 Director of Research and Development, Vandalia Research, INC.
- Addressing process scale up issues for a proprietary Continuous PCR system
- Development of Custom amplification services based on a proprietary continuous PCR system
- Protocol and process development and implementation
- QA/QC oversight
01/18/2005 – 08/01/2005 Research Technician III, Marshall University Research Corporation, Department of Chemistry
- Conducted research using PCR, and real-time PCR to increase yields of single stranded DNA.
- Optimized a new PCR system for high yield
- Maintained laboratory in good working order
- Taught students as needed in basic laboratory skills
08/2003 – 01/14/2005 Research Technician III, Marshall University Research Corporation, Department of Microbiology & Forensic Science Program, Marshall University School of Medicine
- Conducted research on bacterial source tracking methods using pulse field gel electrophoresis
- Lead technician on research using real-time PCR to increase speed in bacterial source tracking
- Maintained laboratory stocks & managed 3 other lab members as well as 3 graduate students
- Managed post-award grant accounting
03/2003 – 08/2003 Research Technician II, Marshall University Research Corporation, Department of Microbiology, Marshall University School of Medicine
- Conducted research on juvenile polycystic kidney disease using PCR and yeast-2-hybrid systems
- Maintained laboratory stocks
- Managed post-award grant accounting
05/2002 – 03/2003 Research Technician I, Marshall University Research Corporation, Department of Microbiology, Marshall University School of Medicine
- Conducted research on juvenile polycystic kidney disease using PCR and yeast-2-hybrid systems
08/2000 – 05/2002 Research Assistant, Marshall University, Department of Biology
- Conducted phylogenetic research on scorpions, spiders, and mammals in the mink family using mitochondrial sequence analysis and PCR
08/2000 – 05/2002 Teaching Assistant, Marshall University, Department of Biology
- Fall 2000 Lab instructor for Introduction to Biology, BSC 104, Marshall University
- Spring 2001 Lab instructor for Principles of Genetics, BSC 324, Marshall University
- Fall 2001 Lab instructor for Principles of Genetics, BSC 324, Marshall University
- Spring 2002 Lab instructor for Introduction to Biology, BSC 104, Marshall University
05/2000 – 08/2000 Laboratory Manager, Miami University, Department of Zoology, Miami University
- Organized researchers, laboratory staff and laboratory equipment
- Maintained laboratory stocks
08/1997 – 08/2000 Laboratory Assistant & Field Assistant, Miami University, Department of Zoology, Miami University
- Participated in research measuring genetic diversity in Ohio fishes, insects and freshwater mussels
- Conducted field research to measure loss of genetic diversity in fish species in Clermount County watersheds
Grants
02/01/2001-05/01/2001 Marshall University NASA Space Grant, Marshall University / NASA
- The goal of this study was to evaluate DNA evolution of Mexican scorpions using sequence analysis.
- Role: Co-Investigator
11/15/1998-05/15/1999 Undergraduate Research Award, Miami University
- The goal of this project was to develop a genetic key for species identification with the mayfly genus Stenonema, using mitochondrial DNA restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.
- Role: Co-Investigator
05/15/1999-08/15/1999 Undergraduate Summer Scholar, Miami University
- This funding was continued support for the development of a species identification for the above project.
- Role: Co-Investigator
Awards
- 2008 Young Investigator Award, Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP)
- Dean's List for achieving a 4.0 Average. Summer term IV 1998-1999 academic year
- Eagle Scout of the Year Scholarship award presented by the Indianapolis Water Company, 1996
Professional Societies
2007 – Present Association for Molecular Pathology
2003 – Present American Society for Microbiology
2000 – 2002 Association of Southeastern Biologists
2000 – 2002 American Arachnological Society
Other Activities
West Virginia State science fair judge
2006, 2005, 2003, 2002, 2000
Alternative Spring Break, Miami University
2000 – 2002 American Arachnological Society
Other Activities
West Virginia State science fair judge
2006, 2005, 2003, 2002, 2000
Alternative Spring Break, Miami University
- 2000, Planned and organized a week of service in Atlanta, Georgia, through Hands on Atlanta
- 1999, Participated in a week of service in Seattle, Washington through Americorps – City Year
Boy Scouts of America
- 1992 Eagle Scout
- 1992 – 1996 Crossroads of America Council Camp Staff