Julie R. Hens
My
research interest are geared towards understand mammary gland and lung
development. In both cases this is to understand not just the basic science of
the organs but also to use this knowledge to understand cancer further in the
hopes to develop new treatments. Specifically, I have been studying the
signaling pathways of PTHrP, MSX-2, BMPs,
and WNTs in the mammary gland and how they function
during embryonic development. I plan on expanding this research to study breast
cancer and additionally lung development and cancer.
BIO291 Genetics
BIO362 Developmental Biology
BIO362L Developmental Biology laboratory
BIO390 Evolution
BIO399 Junior Seminar
BIO466 Molecular and Cell Biology
CLRL102 Inquiry into the Natural World Lab
CLAR102 Inquiry into the Natural World
Student Presentations from the annual Students Research and Creative Endeavors Exposition
EDUCATION:
Ph.D.-Animal Science, (2001)
Thesis: In vivo transfection of the mammary gland; Expression of heterologous proteins during lactation.
Thesis: Molecular
and protein markers of the MUC1 locus for the detection of economic trait loci
in
Publications Submitted or in Preparation:
Publications:
1. Andrews, J.L., Kim, A.C., and Hens, J.R. 2012. The Role and Function of Cadherins in the Mammary Gland. Breast Cancer Res. 14(1):203 [Epub ahead of print].
2. Hens, J, Dann, P., Hiremath, M., Pan, Tien-Chi, Chodosh, L., and Wysolmerski, J. 2009. Analysis of Gene Expression in PTHrP -/- Mammary Buds Supports a Role for BMP Signaling and MMP2 in the Initiation of Ductal Morphogenesis. Dev. Dyn. 238(11)2713-24.
3. Dann P, Hens JR, Troiano NW, Wysolmerski J, Kacena MA. Preservation of b-galactosidase in decalcified murine bone specimens embedded in paraffin. J. Histotech. 2008; 31:61-64.
4. Hens, JR, Dann, P, Zhang, J-P, Harris, S, Robinson, GW, and Wysolmerski, JJ. BMP4 and PTHrP Interact to Stimulate Ductal Outgrowth during Embryonic Mammary Development and Inhibit Hair Follicle Induction. Development 2007; 134:1221-1230.
5. Chen, X, Macica, CM, Dreyer, BE, Hammond, VE, Hens, JR, Philbrick, WM, and Broadus, AE. Initial Characterization of PTH-related Protein Gene-driven LacZ Expression in the Mouse. J. Bone and Mineral Res. 2006; 21:113-23.
6. Hens, JR. and Wysolmerski, JJ. Key stages in mammary gland development: Molecular Mechanisms Involved in the Formation of the Embryonic Mammary Gland. Breast Cancer Res. 2005; 7:220-224.
7. Hens, JR, Wilson, KM, Dann, PR, Chen, X, Horowitz, MC, and Wysolmerski, JJ. TOPGAL Mice demonstrate that the Canonical Wnt Signaling Pathway is Active during Bone Development and Growth and is activated by Mechanical Loading in vitro. J. Bone and Mineral Res. 2005; 20:1103-13.
8. Chu, EY*, Hens, JR *, Andl, T, Kairo, A, Yamaguchi, TP, Brisken, C, Glick, A, Wysolmerski, JJ, and Millar S. Canonical WNT signaling promotes mammary placode development and is essential for initiation of mammary gland morphogenesis. Development 2004; 131: 4819-29. [* Shared first authorship]
9. Hens, JR, Amstutz, MD, Schanbacher, FL, and Mather, IH. Introduction of the human growth hormone gene into the guinea pig mammary gland by in vivo transfection promotes sustained expression of human growth hormone in the milk throughout lactation. Biochem. Biophysic. Acta 2002; 1523:161‑171.
10. Hens, JR, Rogers, GW, Huott, ML, and Patton. S. Associations of PAS-1 with production, health, and reproductive traits in Holstein dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 1995; 78:2473‑80.
11. Huott, ML, Josephson, RV, Hens, JR, Rogers, GW, and Patton, S. Polymorphic forms of the epithelial mucin, PAS-1 (MUC1), in milk of Holstein cows (Bos taurus). Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 1995; 111B:559-565.
PUBLICATIONS (ABSTRACTS):
Abstracts Published and Conference Papers Presented.
Singhal, P., Vos, M., Nuttall, J., JR Hens, 2010. Changes in Mammary Gland Development in Cadherin-11 Knockout Mice (Rochester Academy of Science Fall Symposium)
Kim, A., Sambamurty, A., Barkley, T., and JR Hens, 2010. Connective Tissue Growth Factor Expression During Adult Mammary Gland Development in the Mouse (Rochester Academy of Science Fall Symposium)
Kim, A., Sambamurty, A., Barkley, T., and JR Hens, 2011. Connective Tissue Growth Factor Expression During Adult Mammary Gland Development in the Mouse (National Society of Developmental Biology Annual Meeting)
Sambamurty, A., Kim, A., Barkley, T., JR Hens, 2010. Characterization of Connective Tissue Growth Factor Expression in Mammary Glands of Embryonic Mice (Rochester Academy of Science Fall Symposium)
Sambamurty, A., Kim, A., Barkley, T., JR Hens, 2011. Characterization of Connective Tissue Growth Factor Expression in Mammary Glands of Embryonic Mice (National Society of Developmental Biology Annual Meeting)
Vos, M., Sanyal, N., Singhal, P., Kumar, A., and JR Hens, 2011. The Loss of Cadherin-11 Induces Apoptosis Throughout the Mammary Gland During Branching Morphogenesis in the Adult Mouse (Student Research and Creative Endeavors Exposition)
Singhal, P.,Vos, M., Nuttall, J., and JR Hens, 2011. Changes in Mammary Gland Development in Cadherin-11 Knockout Mice (Student Research and Creative Endeavors Exposition)
Singhal, P., Vos, M., and JR Hens. 2009. Changes in Canonical WNT Signaling in Mice Lacking Cadherin-11 During Embryonic Mammary Gland Development in the Mouse. (Rochester Academy of Science Fall Symposium)
Vos, M., Sanyal, N., Singhal, P., Kumar, A., and JR. Hens. 2010 Role of Cadherin-11 in Branching Morphogenesis and its Effects on Wnt Signaling in the Adult Mammary Gland.2010. (Rochester Academy of Science Fall Symposium)
Vos, M., Sanyal, N., Singhal, P., Kumar, A., and JR. Hens. 2010 Role of Cadherin-11 in Branching Morphogenesis and its Effects on Wnt Signaling in the Adult Mammary Gland.2010. (Student Research and Creative Endeavors Exposition)
Barkley, T., Sambamurty, A., Kim, A., and JR Hens. 2010. Connective Tissue Growth Factor Expression During Adult Mammary Gland Development in the Mouse. (Rochester Academy of Science Fall Symposium)
Hens, J.R., Kumar, A.J., Nuttall, J., Sanyal, N., and Vos, M. 2010. Cadherin-11 functions during mammary gland branching morphogenesis. (Society of Developmental Biology Meeting).
Sparatta, A.J. and Hens, JR. 2009. BMP4 Regulation On Cadherin-11 Expression in C3H10T1/2 Mesenchymal Cell Line. (Rochester Academy of Science Fall Symposium)
Nuttall, J., Sparatta, A., Dann, P., Wysolmerski, J., and Hens, JR. 2009. Regulation of CDH11 during mouse mammary gland development. (Rochester Academy of Science Fall Symposium)
Nuttall, J.R. and Hens, J.R. 2009. Canonical Wnt Regulates Cadherin-11 During Mammary Gland Development(Rochester Academy of Science Fall Symposium)
Kumar, A.J., Gould, A., and Hens, J.R. 2009. The role of cadherin-11 during lung development. (Rochester Academy of Science Fall Symposium)
Tanski, EM, and Hens, JR 2008. PTHrP regulation of LEF1 expression and localization in the mesenchymal C3H10T1/2 cells. (Society of Developmental Biology Meeting)
Spears, ME, and Hens J.R. 2008. PTHrP Regulation of Cadherin-11 in the Pre-Osteoblastic Cell Line T3-E1. (Rochester Academy of Science Fall Symposium)
Hens, JR, Dann, PR, Zhong M.,
Hens,
JR,
Dann,
PR, Zhang JP, and JJ Wysolmerski. 2006. PTHrP Regulates Embryonic Mammary Gland
Development by Augmenting BMP Signaling.
Endocrinology Meeting. (abstract).
Hens,
JR,
Dann,
PR, Zhang JP, and JJ Wysolmerski. 2006. PTHrP Regulates Embryonic Mammary Gland
Development by Augmenting BMP Signaling.
Mammary Gland Gordon Conference. (abstract).
Hens, J. R., Dann, P. R., Zhang, J.P., Harris, S.E., and Wysolmerski, J.J. 2005. Interactions between PTHrP and BMP during mammary gland development. Mammary Gland Gordon Conference (abstract).
Hens, J. R., Dann, P. R., Zhang, J.P., Harris, S.E., and Wysolmerski, J.J. 2005. Interactions between PTHrP and BMP signaling during mammary gland development. American Society of Bone and Mineral Research Meeting (abstract).
Hens, J.,
Hens, J.R., Dann, P., Fuchs, E., Brisken, C., and J. Wysolmerski 2003. Canonical
Wnt signaling regulates mammary bud formation in embryonic mice. Endocrinology
Meeting. (abstract).
Hens, J.R., Dann, P., Fuchs, E., Brisken, C., and J. Wysolmerski 2003. Canonical
Wnt signaling is necessary for mammary bud formation in embryonic mice. Mammary
Gland Gordon Conference. (abstract).
Hens, J. R., Amstutz, M. D., Schanbacher, F. L., and
Hens, J. R., Amstutz, M. D., Schanbacher, F. L., and
Hens, J. R., G. W. Rogers, J. M. Wanner, and C. H. Allen. 1995. Comparison of DNA
recovery from frozen semen stored in various media. J. Dairy Sci. (abstract).
Hens, J. R., G. W. Rogers, A.P. Spicer, and S. J. Gendler. 1994. Chromosome
substitution effects for the MUC1 locus in two
Hens, J. R., M. Huott, G. W. Rogers, and S. Patton. 1993. Impact of the PAS-I on
performance traits in
Hens, J.R., and G. W. Rogers. 1993. RFLP analysis of the PAS-I locus in
Hens, J. R., G. W. Rogers, and S. Patton. 1992. Isolation of PAS-I in bovine urine. J. Dairy Sci. (abstract).
ACTIVITIES:
Awards and Honors
Society of Developmental Biology Teaching faculty travel award (2010)
Society of Developmental Biology Teaching faculty travel award (2008)
Promoted to adjunct Associate Professor at University of Maryland University College (2005)
Colorado Technical University Faculty Service Award (2005)
ASBMR Young Investigator Award (2004)
University of Maryland University College’s 2004 Teacher Recognition Award (2004)
15th Annual Department of Animal Sciences Professional Paper Presentation Symposium, 2001
10th Annual Department of Animal Sciences Professional Paper Presentation Symposium, 1996
Gamma Sigma Delta (Agriculture Honor Society) at Penn. State University
Regent's Scholarship, 1987-1991
Dean's Scholarship, 1987-1988
Manuscript reviewer
Developmental Biology journal
Introductory Biology textbook called Biology: Science for Life” by Colleen Belk and Virginia Borden. Published by Prentice Hall.
Committee services
Coordinator for the Borer Fellowship since spring of 2011.
Faculty member of the Trustee’s committee for Development for the spring of 2011.
Member of the Search Committee for an instructor position search in 2011 (Successful)
Member of the Search Committee for the position of lab and animal facility manager (2009 and 2011) (Both Successful)
Chair of the Search Committee for a tenured faculty position search in Anatomy and Physiology in 2010 (Successful)
Chair of the Arts and Sciences Dean’s committee on Travel Funds in 2010
Faculty member of the Trustee’s committee on Buildings and Grounds from 2009 to present.
Member of the Editorial Board for the Student Journal, Seraph 2009- present
Chair of the Walsh Science Building Display committee 2009
Member of a committee developed from the faculty senate to examine distant education (online) courses and create guidelines for online courses at St. Bonaventure University (2009)
Member of the Search Committee for a tenured faculty position in Biochemistry in 2009 (Successful)
Member of the “Son of Inquiry in the Natural World Course Renewal” Committee, which was chaired by Dr. Bennington and was supported by a Martine Grant 2008 (Supporting documents).
Member of the Search Committee for a Visiting professor in Biochemistry in 2008 (Successful)
Faculty senator as a science representative from 2008 to present.
Professional memberships (past and present)
Society of Developmental Biology
National Science Teaching Association
American Society of Experimental Biology
American Association for the Advancement of Sciences
American Society of Cell Biology
American Society of Molecular Biology
American Dairy Science Association
American Society of Bone and Mineral Research
Endocrinology Society
Services and activities
Advance Placement Biology reader (2004, 2006-2011)
Perform on french horn in local community bands and the St. Bonaventure University concert band
Southern Tier Community band
Allegany alumni band
Judge for the Siemens Westinghouse Competition in Math, Science, and Technology (2002)
President of the Animal Sciences Graduate Student Organization at the University of Maryland, College Park (1998)
Treasurer for Poultry Science Club, U. of MD at College Park (1995-1999)
Judge/Score Keeper at 4-H activity, Maryland (1995-1999)
Judge at Science Fair for High School students in PA (1993)
revised 02-17-2012