KARA COFFMAN-REA
BIO
Hello! I'm Kara Coffman-Rea. I recently returned to Northern Illinois University to pursue my PhD in Biological Sciences, with research interests in the detection and classification of microplastic particles in human cadaveric tissues. I have an educational background in anatomy, receiving my Masters in Human Anatomical Sciences in 2016 and going on to teach anatomy and physiology to allied health students.
After setting a personal goal towards a zero waste lifestyle, I became increasingly aware of the amount of unnecessary waste produced per person, per day. This awareness led me to learn more about plastic pollution, particularly that of microplastics. With microplastics increasingly being discovered in food, air, and the environment, I believe there is an urgent need to determine their impact on human health.
MY RESEARCH
My research goals look to advance our understanding of the relationship between microplastic particles and the human body. My research is focused on mitigating contamination while collecting tissue samples, determining effective enzymatic digestion of cadaveric tissues that yield the highest recovery of microplastic particles, and detecting microplastics in cadaveric respiratory tissues using FTIR spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and Pyrolysis–gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.
WHAT ARE MICROPLASTICS
Microplastics are plastic particles that are less than 5 mm in diameter; they can be classified as primary or secondary. Primary microplastics are plastics manufactured at that small size for cosmetic products, synthetic fibers from textiles, detergents, or industrial products. Secondary microplastics are fragmented products derived from the breakdown of larger-sized plastic material due to exposure to ultraviolet radiation, hydrolytic degradation, or other chemical or mechanical forces.
MICROPLASTICS IN THE HUMAN BODY
Microplastics have been detected in our food and drink items, in the air we breathe, and within human stool samples, placenta, blood, breastmilk, and lung tissue. While the full impact of microplastics on human health is still poorly understood, experimental studies have shown that microplastics cause structural changes to human lung tissue cells and hinder cell creation.
ANALYZING MICROPLASTICS
Microplastic polymers have a molecular ‘fingerprint,’ or spectrum, which allows the specific polymer type to be determined by providing a spectral composition that can be compared to a reference polymer database for identification. Using chemical imaging applications, these methods can provide information about the shape, size, and abundance of the detected particles as well.
Curriculum Vitae
PERSONAL STATEMENT
An enthusiastic and focused Ph.D. candidate committed to advancing knowledge in the field of biological sciences. Passionate about research, education and scientific outreach. A team player experienced in working with domestic and international partners, as well as dedication to good practice and innovation. Lifelong learner focused on continuous learning to broaden knowledge and experience.
EDUCATION
Ph.D. in Biological Sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL
August 2019 - present
MS in Human Anatomical Sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL
August 2014 - May 2016
BS in Family Consumer Nutrition Science, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL
June 2005 - June 2007
ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS
INSTRUCTOR (Advanced Anatomy, Gross Anatomy, Human Physiology, and Neurobiology)
Northern Illinois University | DeKalb, Illinois ( Aug 2019 – Present)
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Serve as Lab Coordinator for gross anatomy lab, facilitating a variety of scientific outreach programs involving lab visits, coordinating multiple courses, and training teaching assistants with lab assignments.
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Create 82+ instructional videos detailing cadaver dissection steps and identifying structures from structures list.
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Develop a variety of online resources to assist students through online procedures including ‘how-to’ videos for the use of Anatomy and Physiology Revealed, and the Respondus Lockdown Browser.
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Plan and teach courses including gross anatomy, human physiology, advanced anatomy, neuroanatomy, and neurobiology.
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY INSTRUCTOR
Missouri Southern State University | Missouri (Aug 2017 - Present)
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Converted from FT traditional instructor to online adjunct instructor from January 2019 to 2021.
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Develop lab manual and lecture materials to accompany anatomy and physiology courses for traditional and online teaching.
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Supervised and mentored students enrolled as Pre-Med; Pre-PT; and Pre – Occupational Therapy.
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Maintained a 15-hour course load while teaching and advising approx. 150-200 students per semester.
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY INSTRUCTOR
Illinois Valley Community College | Oglesby, Illinois (May 2016 – May 2017)
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Utilized a variety of teaching techniques and instructional technology to encourage students’ critical thinking, laboratory experience, and environment understanding for general biology, microbiology, and anatomy lab courses.
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Prepared and prosected female cadaver based on a pre-existing structures list.
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Assisted class sizes ranging between 15-24 students through cat, shark, and fetal pig dissection.
KEY SKILLS
Extensive Knowledge in Human Anatomy, Physiology, Neuroanatomy, and Histology | Tissue Staining | Cadaveric Dissection | Advanced Video Editing | RStudio | Adobe Photoshop | Classroom Management | Laboratory Management | Microsoft Office | Google Suite | Lesson Planning | IRB Research Compliance | Student Learning Outcomes
GRANTS, FELLOWSHIPS, AND AWARDS
American Scandinavian Foundation 2023
Hubbard Award for Excellence in Human Anatomical Sciences | 2021
American Microscopy Society Student Research Fellowship Award | 2021
Travel award (Emerging Contaminants in the Environmental Conference) | 2020
CERTIFICATIONS
OSHA: Hazardous Chemical Information Certification Award
OSHA: Bloodborne Pathogens Certification
Google Data Analytics Professional Certification
OSHA: Clean Air Act Certification
OSHA: Clean Water Act Certification
MEMBERSHIPS / AFFILIATIONS
American Microscopy Society Jun 2020 – Present
The British Ecological Society Dec 2019 – Present
Graduate Women in Science Dec 2019 – Present
American Chemical Society Member Aug 2019 – Present
American Association of Anatomists Member Aug 2019 – Present
American Association of Clinical Anatomists Member May 2018 – Present
National Association of Biology Teachers Member Jan 2018 – Present
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Member Dec 2017 – Present
Human Anatomy and Physiology Society (HAPS) 2014 – Present