Education
Doctor of Philosophy, Biology
Columbia University, February 2023. GPA 3.8
Master of Philosophy, Biology
Columbia University, May 2020
Master of Arts, Biology
Columbia University, May 2016
Bachelor of Science, Biological Chemistry
Bachelor of Arts, Biology
Bachelor of Arts, Chemistry
University of Chicago, June 2014. GPA 3.2
Research Experience
Postdoctoral Research Scientist, Columbia University, Zuckerman Institute
Carol Mason Laboratory, New York, NY. 2023-current
•Proposed research project investigating the role of the retinal pigment epithelium in retinal ganglion cell projection fate
•Responsible for supervising undergraduates and technicians in the lab and acting as project manager
Graduate Student, Columbia University, Pathology & Cell Biology
Richard Vallee Laboratory, New York, NY. 2016- 2023
•Proposed independent thesis project on mitotic spindle orientation in radial glial progenitors
•Responsible for determining and carrying out relevant experiments and presenting findings in lab meeting
Research Assistant, Rockefeller University, Laboratory of Immune Epigenetics and Signaling, Alexander Tarakhovsky Laboratory, New York, NY. 2014-2016
•Independently performed experiments to determine pluripotency factors in mutant mouse embryonic stem cell lines and presented findings in lab meeting
•Adapted protocols for live imaging of T cells and quantitative analysis of resulting data
•Managed several mouse colonies
•Responsible for day-to-day maintenance of lab equipment and supplies
Undergraduate Research Assistant, University of Chicago, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Laurens Mets Laboratory, Chicago, IL. 2011-2014
•Developed protocol for growing methanogenic archaea on solid media
•Isolated and identified organisms in culture
•Duties included engineering genetic inserts for desired strain of mutant archaea, molecular biology experiments, and teaching other undergraduates standard protocols
Teaching Experience
Teaching Assistant, Biochemistry, Columbia University, September-December 2017
•Responsible for running office hours and answering student questions
•Graded assignments and tests of 116 students
Teaching Assistant, Genomics of Gene Regulation, Columbia University, January-May 2018
•Responsible for running office hours and assisting students with R programming assignments
•Graded assignments and tests and provided feedback to students
Publications
Yi, J., Zhao, X., Noell, CR., Helmer, P., Solmaz, SR., Vallee, RB. Role of Nesprin-2 and RanBP2 in BICD2-associated brain developmental disorders. PLoS Genet 19, e1010642 (2023).
Helmer, P. & Vallee, R. B. A two-kinesin mechanism controls neurogenesis in the developing brain. Commun Biol 6, 1219 (2023).
Doobin, D. J.*, Helmer, P.*, Carabalona, A., Bertipaglia, C. & Vallee, R. B. The Role of Nde1 Phosphorylation in Interkinetic Nuclear Migration and Neural Migration During Cortical Development. Mol Biol Cell mbcE24050217 (2024)
Falnikar, A., Quintremil, S., Zhao, H.-J., Cheng, H.-Y., Helmer, P., Tsai, J.-W., Vallee, R. B. The Nucleoporin Nup153 Is the Anchor for Kif1a during Basal Nuclear Migration in Brain Progenitor Cells. Cell Reports (2024)
Presentations and Posters
Helmer, P., Vallee, RB. (May 2019) The Role of Kinesins in Brain Development. Poster presented at Zuckerman Institute Mind Brain Behavior Symposium, New York, NY
Helmer, P., Vallee, RB. (May 2021) Kinesins in Brain Development. Poster presented at Zuckerman Institute Mind Brain Behavior Symposium, New York, NY
Helmer, P., Vallee, RB. (Oct 2021) Kinesins in Brain Development. Poster presented at New York Stem Cell Foundation Conference, New York, NY
Helmer, P., Vallee, RB. (Dec 2021) Kinesins in Brain Development. Poster presented at ASCB Cell Bio Virtual 2021 Meeting, New York, NY
Helmer, P., Liapin, M., Akoush, H., Mason, C., (Dec 2024) The role of the RPE in Neurogenesis and Cell Fate of Retinal Ganglion Cells. Poster presented at Columbia Pathobiology Retreat, New York, NY
Helmer, P., Liapin, M., Akoush, H., Mason, C., (Sept 2025) The role of the RPE in Neurogenesis and Cell Fate of Retinal Ganglion Cells. Poster presented at Columbia ZI Fest, New York, NY
Conferences
Cephalopod International Advisory Council (CIAC) - September 2018
The Zuckerman Institute Mind Brain Behavior Symposium - May 2019
KAND Family and Scientific Engagement Conference - August 2019
The Zuckerman Institute Mind Brain Behavior Symposium - May 2019, May 2021
New York Stem Cell Foundation Conference – Oct 2021
ASCB Cell Bio Virtual 2021 Meeting – Dec 2021
International Scientific Conference on Albinism - Jan 2025
University Activities
Board Member, Biological Sciences Career Initiative 2018-2019
•Responsible for contacting Columbia Alumni and arranging career advice panels for current students, as well as career development workshops
Representative, Graduate Student Council 2019-2021
•Responsible for communicating between graduate students and faculty and representing graduate student interests
•Contributed to revision of the Columbia University Biology Program Graduate Student Handbook