Medical Scientist Training Program

Melissa L. Wagner Schuman

4th Year Medical Student
8th Year MSTP

mwagner@mcw.edu

Research Interests

• The role of mutations in the L and M opsin genes in the progression of myopia
• The impact of mutations in the L and M opsin genes on retinal mosaic organization

Education

• B.S. 2002, Milwaukee School of Engineering
• Major: Biomedical Engineering

Research Experience

• Medical College of Wisconsin, 1999-2000
  • Advisor: Dr. Jay Neitz
  • Project: Development of a color vision testing apparatus to use in the evaluation of a gene-therapy approach to treat color-blindness in primates
• Allegiance Healthcare, a subsidiary of Cardinal Health, 2001
  • Project: Development of an innovative valve design to improve longevity, safety, and ease of use in existing paracentesis/thoracentesis devices
• Medical College of Wisconsin, 2003
  • Advisors: Dr. Kathleen Schmainda and Dr. John Ulmer
  • Project: Investigated tools for use in identifying the stage of malignancy in brain tumors as well as for use in pre-surgical planning

Publications

• Rha, J., Dubis, A. M., Wagner-Schuman, M., Tait, D. M., Godara, P., Schroeder, B., Stepien, K., & Carroll, J., “Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography and Adaptive Optics: Imaging Photoreceptor Layer Morphology to Interpret Preclinical Phenotypes” in Retinal Degenerative Diseases: Laboratory and Therapeutic Investigations (Anderson, G., Hollyfield, J., & LaVail, M.M., Eds.); Springer (in press)

• Carroll J, Baraas R, Wagner-Schuman M., Rha J, Siebe CA, Sloan C, Tait DM, Thompson S., Morgan J, Neitz J,  Williams DR, Foster DH, Neitz, M. (2009)  Expression of Opsin with Cys203Arg Mutation Results in Cone Mosaic Disruption: Results from Adaptive Optics Imaging. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 106(49):20948-20953
• Sanders J, Schuman MW, Marbella AM. (2009) The Epidemiology of Torture: A Case Series of 58 Survivors of Torture. Forensic Science International, 189, e1-e7

Interests

• Synchronized Swimming – Team member of the Wisconsin Waterloons, Running, Music