Dr. Alexandra Taraboletti specializes in bioanalytical chemistry, metabolomics, and science communication, with a research focus on biochemistry, environmental health, and STEM education. She also serves as Scientific Program Manager at HESI and contribute to science policy and student research initiatives.
Experience
Education
Postdoctoral Fellowship in Tumor Biology, Georgetown University, Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry, Bioanalytical Concentration, University of Akron Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Biology minor, University of Central Florida
Roles
Assistant Professor of Chemistry, University of the District of Columbia, 2019-Present Scientific Program Manager, Health and Environmental Science Institute, 2024-Present Science Communications Expert, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 2022-25 Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Tumor Biology, Georgetown University, 2017-20
Courses Taught
Biochemistry I Biochemistry II Organic Chemistry I Organic Chemistry II General Chemistry Senior Research I Senior Research II Core Methods for Biochemistry General, Organic, and Biochemistry (GOBC) Laboratory Chemistry for Everyone Laboratory
Expertise
Science Policy and Program Management Organizing Student Research Science Communication
Research Focus / Works in Progress
Using biochemistry to explore health and environmental issue; science policy; science communication; science writing; chemistry education; improving STEM education; biochemistry and nutrition; cell biology; molecular biology; bioassays; omics; metabolomics; proteomics; bioinformatics; biostatistics; mass-spectrometry; analytical sciences
Leadership
American Chemical Society (ACS), Faculty Mentor and Event Supervisor, 2020-Present You Be the Chemist (YBTC), Event Supervisor, 2020-Present National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE), Faculty Mentor, 2020-Present
Impact
Selected Publications
Taraboletti, A.(2024). Sourdough as a model organism for facilitating undergraduate biochemistry and biology education in at-home and in-person learning environments. ACS Journal of Chemical Education.
Taraboletti, A., King, A., Dixon, Y., Orr, O., Parnell, C., Watson, Y., Nash, B., Esimai, C., & Ude, G. (2023). Assessing microbial diversity in soil samples along the Potomac River: Implications for environmental health. Microbiology Spectrum.https://doi.org/10.1128/SPECTRUM.02540-23, 2023
Monessha J., Caballero, M. E., Cordero, A. D., White, B. M., Asalone, K. C., Moore, M. M., Irabor, E. G., Watkins, S. E., Walters-Conte, K. B., Taraboletti, A., Hartings, M. R., Chow, B. Y., Saeed, B. A., Bracht, K. A., & Bracht, J. R. (2021). Unrealized potential from smaller institutions: Four strategies for advancing STEM diversity. Cell, 184(24), 5845-5850, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2021.10.030., 2021
Taraboletti, A., Goudarzi, M., Kabir, A., Moon, B., Laiakis, EC., Lacombe, J., Ake, P., Shoishiro, S., Brenner, D., Fornace, AJ., & Zenhausern, F. (2019). Fabric phase sorptive extraction - A metabolomic pre-processing approach for ionizing radiation exposure assessment. Journal of Proteome Research, 18(8), 3020–3031.
Selected Presentations
Taraboletti, A. (2023). Embracing new technology – How A.I. fits in the classroom. All-UDC-College of Arts and Sciences Teaching Learning Roundtable, University of the District of Columbia, Washington, D.C.
Taraboletti, A. (2022). An investigation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) toxicity and metabolic impacts in vitro. UDC College of Arts and Sciences Fluid and Dynamics Speaker Series, University of the District of Columbia, Washington, D.C.
Taraboletti, A. (2022). Applying metagenomics to undergraduate research - Through course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs). All-UDC-College of Arts and Sciences Teaching Learning Roundtable, University of the District of Columbia, Washington, D.C.
Taraboletti, A. (2021).Sourdough cultures as a means to facilitate at-home biochemical research skills during the COVID-19 pandemic. STEM Education, NOBCChE.
Taraboletti, A., Kalunga, R., & Levere, M.(2021). Are you teaching content, or just covering material.All-UDC-College of Arts and Sciences Teaching Learning Roundtable, University of the District of Columbia, Washington, D.C.
Selected Grants
USDA. (2024). Improved nutritional security of ethnic and specialty crops, including hibiscus, jute leaf, and waterleaf utilizing metabolomics.
National Science Foundation. (2024). Transforming STEM education at the University of the District of Columbia by establishing a general science degree.
Department of Defense. (2022). (HBCU/MI-Equipment/Instrumentation)-Acquisition of HPLC-MS/MS to accelerate multidisciplinary research, education and training capabilities at UDC.
National Science Foundation. (2021). MRI: Acquisition of a new x-ray diffractometer to advance research and dducation in primarily undergraduate/minority-serving institutions within the District of Columbia.
Water Resources Institute. (2019). A metabolomic investigation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) neurotoxicity in zebrafish (Danio rerio).
Recognitions
Leader of Promise Award, University of the District of Columbia, 2023 Teaching Excellence Award, University of the District of Columbia, 2022 Leader of Promise Award, University of the District of Columbia, 2021 Program Scholarship, Younger Chemists Leadership Program, American Chemical Society's Leadership Institute, 2021 Teaching Award, Center for Innovation and Leadership in Education (CENTILE) Teaching Academy for the Health Sciences, Georgetown University, 2020 Outreach Award, National Postdoc Association, Outstanding Volunteer, 2019
