Lianna Walker

Post-Doctoral Research Associate

Education

Doctor of Philosophy in Biological Sciences: Genetics, Cell and Molecular Biology
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, graduated May 2022

Master of Science in Animal Science: Animal Breeding and Genetics
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, graduated May 2018

Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science: Biochemistry, Minors: Biological Sciences and Chemistry
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, graduated May 2016

Research Experience

Post-Doctoral Research Associate in Molecular Genetics, June 2022 - present
UNL Animal Science Department, supervised by Dr. Daniel Ciobanu
- Develop novel in vitro models using gene editing approaches to study the role of host genetics in viral infection
- Investigate signatures of adaptive evolution within the host genome in response to viral pathogens
- Train undergraduate/graduate students and host educational workshops for high school students

Ph.D. Graduate Research Assistant, May 2018- May 2022
UNL School of Biological Sciences- Genetics, Cell and Molecular Biology
- Investigating the role of host genes and genetic variants in susceptibility to diverse viral pathogens across livestock species, directed by Dr. Ciobanu
- In vitro gene editing using CRISPR-Cas9 machinery to generate knockout or edited cell lines to assess host genetic effect on viral replication

Undergraduate Research Assistant (UCARE), August 2015 – May 2016
UNL Animal Science Department- Animal Breeding and Genetics
- Identification of genetic variations responsible for differences in PCVAD susceptibility in swine, directed by Dr. Ciobanu
- DNA (tissue and blood) and RNA (blood) isolation, gel electrophoresis, PCR, RTqPCR, Bisulfite Sequencing, KASPar genotyping, and ELISAs

Patents

Ciobanu, D., Vu, H., Engle, T., Walker, L., Patent, "Biomarkers for resistance to Porcine Circovirus 2 Associated Disease", 16/149,059, United States. (application: September 29, 2017).

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Lianna R. Walker, Erin Jobman, Kylee Sutton, J’Nan Wittler, Rodger Johnson, Daniel Ciobanu. Genome-wide Association Analysis of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus Susceptibility Traits in Two Genetic Populations of Pigs. Journal of Animal Science. 2019 May 31. pii: skz184. doi: 10.1093/jas/skz184

Lianna R. Walker, Taylor Engle, Hiep Vu, Emily Tosky, Dan Nonneman, Tim P.L. Smith, Thomas Burkey, Suresh Tikoo, Graham Plastow, Stephen Kachman, Daniel Ciobanu. Synaptogyrin-2 Influences Replication of Porcine Circovirus 2. PLoS Genetics. 2018 Oct 31;14(10):e1007750. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007750

Lianna R. Walker, Emily Tosky, Kylee Sutton, Rhonda Griess, Marytza Abebe, Sarah Barnes, Tom Cunnigham, Steve Kachman, Merlyn Nielsen, Daniel Ciobanu. A 16.7 kb Deletion in Sipa1l3 is Associated with Juvenile Cataract in Mice* Mammalian Genome. 2017 Dec;28(11-12):515-519. doi: 10.1007/s00335-017-9720-9 (*Cover-page article)

Awards

Milton E. Mohr Biotechnology Fellowship (2020-2021)
Nebraska Center for Biotechnology, Milton E. Mohr Awards Program

National Swine Improvement Federation Graduate Student Award (2019)
National Swine Improvement Federation Annual Meeting, Indianapolis, Indiana

US Graduate Student and Early Career Investigator Travel Bursary (2019)
37th International Society for Animal Genetics Conference, Lleida, Spain

Larrick and Whitmore Graduate Student Travel Award (2019)
Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Neal A. Jorgensen Genome Travel Grant (2019)
Plant and Animal Genome XXVII Conference, San Diego, California

Presentations

CRISPR-Cas9 Mediated Validation of Host SYNGR2 p.Arg63Cys Variant Function in PCV2b Replication and Evolutionary Analysis of Origin in Sus scrofa
Plant and Animal Genome XXIX Conference
Virtual Swine Workshop, February 3, 2022

Synaptogryin-2 Influences Replication of Porcine Circovirus 2b
National Swine Improvement Federation Annual Meeting, December 6, 2019
Omni Severin Hotel, Indianapolis, Indiana

Signatures of Adaptive Evolution Emphasize Potential Role of Synaptogyrin-2 Variant in PCV2b Susceptibility
Symposium of Evolutionary Genetics and Adaptation, October 13, 2019
University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Porcine Circovirus 2b Replication Modulated by Host Synaptogyrin-2
Biology Graduate Student Association Symposium, April 12, 2019
University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Host Genetics Influences Replication of Porcine Circovirus 2b
Plant and Animal Genome XXVII Conference
Swine Workshop & NRSP8 Workshop, January 13 & 14, 2019
Town & Country Hotel, San Diego, California

Posters

Deconstructing the Role of SYNGR2 in Viral Disease Susceptibility in Livestock
The Conference of Research Workers in Animal Disease, December 2021
Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile, Chicago, Illinois

Gene Editing and Signatures of Adaptive Evolution Emphasize the Role of
Synaptogyrin-2 in PCV2b Susceptibility
Plant and Animal Genome XXVIII Conference, January 2020
Town & Country Hotel, San Diego, California

CRISPR-Cas9 Gene Editing Reveals Host Synaptogyrin-2 Plays Key Role in PCV2b Infection
Nebraska Symposium in Virology, October 2019
University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Host Synaptogyrin-2 Facilitates Replication of PCV2b
37th International Society for Animal Genetics Conference
Genetics of Immune Response and Disease Resistance, July 2019
La Llotja Conference Centre, Lleida, Spain

Host Genetics Influences Replication of Porcine Circovirus 2b
Plant and Animal Genome XXVII Conference, January 2019
Town & Country Hotel, San Diego, California

Host Genetics Influences Replication of Porcine Circovirus 2b
Nebraska Symposium in Virology, October 2018
University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Genetic Dissection of Host Chromosome 12 to Determine Source of Variation in
Susceptibility to Porcine Circovirus 2
Nebraska Symposium in Virology, October 2016
University of Nebraska-Lincoln

The Role of Host Genotypes in Susceptibility to PCVAD
UCARE Poster Session, April 2016
University of Nebraska-Lincoln