Dr. Martha Carletti

Dr. Carletti earned her undergraduate degree in Molecular Biology from William Jewell College in 2003, and her PhD in Molecular and Integrative Physiology from the University of Kansas Medical Center in 2009.  After a brief post-doctoral research position at the University of Kansas Medical Center studying breast cancer, Dr. Carletti stayed at home with her three children for a few years and did some adjunct teaching on the side.  After realizing that teaching was her passion, Dr. Carletti accepted a position at Benedictine College in 2014.  She lives with her husband and her three children in Weston, Missouri.  In her free time, she loves to run marathons, travel with her family to National Parks, cheer her kids on at all their sporting events, and hang out with the family boxer dog, Chip.

Classes

Anatomy and Physiology 1 & 2

Immunology

Cell Physiology

Principles of Biology

Education

Doctor of Philosophy (2009)

Molecular and Integrative Physiology

University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS

Dissertation:  MicroRNA-Mediated Post-Transcriptional Gene Regulation in Ovarian Function

Bachelor of Science (2003)

Oxbridge Honors Program: Molecular Biology

William Jewell College, Liberty, MO

Research Project

In collaboration with the University of Kansas Medical Center and NASA, I am working on a project examining the effect of microgravity on mouse physiology. Age dependent decreases in ovarian function impact ovarian estradiol production which in turn play key roles in maintaining normal homeostatic and metabolic processes within muscle, bone, neural, immune, cardiovascular and the reproductive system. Effects of space flight on the ovarian estradiol production are therefore critical to understanding any and all experiments using female mice in space. This project investigates variations in ovarian, uterine, adrenal, and vaginal tissue (examined through histological staining) between mice raised on earth and mice that spent an extended period aboard the International Space Station.  Research from this project was presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Gravitational and Space Research (2019 in Denver, Colorado).

Publications

Carletti, M.Z., Christenson, L.K. MicroRNA-21 Enhances Global Translation. In preparation.

Elsarraj, H.S., Hong, Y., Valdez, K., Carletti, M.Z., Salah, S.M., Raimo, M., Taverna, D., Prochasson, P., Bharadwaj, U., Tweardy, D.J., Christenson, L.K., Behbod, F.  2013.  “Novel role of microRNA-146b in promoting mammary alveolar progenitor cell maintenance.” Journal of Cell Science.  126:2446-58.

Kittrell F.S., Carletti M.Z., Kerbawy S., Heestand J., Xian W., Zhang M., Lamarca H.L., Sonnenberg A., Rosen J.M., Medina D., Behbod F. 2011.  “Prospective Isolation and Characterization of committed and Multipotent Progenitors from Immortalized Mouse Mammary Epithelial Cells with Morphogenic Potential.”  Breast Cancer Res. Apr 5:13(2):R41.

Pal, A., Valdez, K.E., Carletti, M.Z., Behbod, F. 2010. “Targeting the Perpetrator: Cancer Stem Cell Therapeutics.” Current Drug Targets, Sep;11(9): 1147-56.

Carletti, M.Z., Fiedler, S.D., Christenson, L.K. 2010. “MicroRNA-21 is Induced by LH and Blocks Apoptosis in Granulosa Cells.” Biology of Reproduction Aug 1;83(2):286-95.

Park, E., Choi, S., Lind, A., Dahm-Kahler, P., Brannstrom, M., Carletti, M.Z., Christenson, L.K., Curry, T.E., Jo, M. 2010. “RUNX2 Transcription Factor Regulates Gene Expression in Luteinizing Granulosa Cells of Rat Ovaries.” Mol. Endocrinol. Apr;24(4):846-58.

Fiedler, S.D., Carletti, M.Z.,Christenson, L.K. 2010. Quantitative RT-PCR Methods for Mature MicroRNA Expression Analysis.  Methods Mol. Biol. 630:49-64.

Constantineau, J., Greason, E., West M., Filbin M., Kieft J.S., Carletti, M.Z., Christenson, LK, Rodriguez, A. 2010. “A Synonymous Exon 8 Variant (rs5888) within the Scavenger Receptor, Class B, Type 1 Gene is Associated with Lower SR-B1 Protein Expression and Function In Vitro.” Atherosclerosis. May;210(1):177-82.

Luense, L.J., Carletti, M.Z., Christenson, L.K. 2009. “Role of Dicer in Female Fertility.” Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism. Aug;20(6):265-72.

Carletti, M.Z., Christenson, L.K. 2009. “Rapid Effects of Luteinizing Hormone on Gene Expression in the Mural Granulosa Cells of Mouse Periovulatory Follicles.” Reproduction. May;137(5):843-55.

Fiedler, S.D., Carletti, M.Z., Christenson, L.K. 2009. “Quantitative RT-PCR Methods for Mature MicroRNA Expression Analysis.” in RT-PCR Protocols, Edition 2: Methods in Molecular Biology, Editor Nicola King. 

Holets, L.M., Carletti, M.Z., Kshirsagar, S.K., Christenson, L.K., Petroff, M.G. 2009. “Differentiation-Induced Post-transcriptional Control of B7-H1 in Human Trophoblast Cells.” Placenta. Jan;30(1):48-55.

Carletti, M.Z.,Christenson, L.K. 2008. MicroRNA in the Ovary and Female Reproductive Tract. Journal of Animal Science. Apri;87(14 Suppl):E29-38.

Fiedler, S.D., Carletti, M.Z., Hong, X., Christenson, L.K. 2008. “Hormonal Regulation of MicroRNA Expression in Periovulatory Mouse Mural Granulosa Cells.” Biol Reprod. Dec;79(6):1030-7.

Discovery Day Projects

2019-2020 Discovery Day Projects

Evaluation of the Impact of a Microgravity Environment on the Vaginal and Uterine Tissue of Mus muscularis. Nicholas Brose, Graham Griesdale, Aidan de Moulpied, Amara Feyrer-Melk, Danielle Rumsey, Peter Schultz, Sophia Debenedetti.

Studying Hurts: An Analysis of the Effectiveness of Using Exercise and Myofascial Release to Treat Upper Cross Syndrome. Natalie Ruether, Sophia Holm, Emily Fennewald. **Finalist for Wangari Matthai Award

Effect of Microgravity on Mouse Uterine Inflammatory Markers. Erin Rauber, Molly Muehlebach, Brynn Maul, Matthew Piontek, Ella Majerus.

Size of Adrenal Cortex and Medulla in Mice Sent to the International Space Station. Megan Nault and Lillian Nacke.

Investigation of the Color Spectrum. Johnathan Torgerson, Kyle Eckart.

Analyzing Purpose, Ethics, and Validity of Undergraduate Medical Trips Abroad. Ryan Werdel. **Winner of Wangari Matthai Award

2018-2019 Discovery Day Projects

The Effect of Hydrazine Sulfate on Cancer Cells In Vitro. Joseph Marak, Eva Pecha, Daniela Garcia-Perez, Mark Abegg, Martha Carletti.

Rosemary and Its Effect on Cervical Cancer Cells in Vitro. Sara Rahmanzai, Megan Nault, Lillian Nacke, Katheryn Weaver, Meghan MacLellan, Martha Carletti

The Genotoxicity and Apoptotic Effects of Resveratrol. Erin Rauber, Molly Muehlebach, Brynn Maul, Mikaela Loucks, Martha Carletti.

2017-2018 Discovery Day Projects

The Antioxidant Effects of Protandim. Eden Anderson, Will Argana, Michaela Dreiling, Matthew Jarecki, Kolbe Poarch, Martha Carletti.

The Effects of SR9243 on HeLa Cell Proliferation and Apoptosis. Jacob Cushing, Lane Fry, Jude Severson, Erin Rauber, Martha Carletti.

2016-2017 Discovery Day Projects

The Effect of SR9243 on the Proliferative Ability of HeLa Cells In Vitro Through the Use of a MTT Assay. Brandon Betsch, Jacob Cushing, Martha Carletti.

CCR5-Δ32 Mutation and Immune-System Related Diseases at Benedictine College. Jacob Cushing, Martha Carletti.

The Effect of Protandim on Reactive Oxygen Species and DNA Mutation Rate. Eden Anderson, Kira Alexander, Kristen Hylen, Laurencia Ouedraogo, Martha Carletti.

2015-2016 Discovery Day Projects

A Comparison of Major Vault Protein in Cells Affected by Barrett’s Esophagus and Normal Esophageal Epithelial Cells. Kristen Hylen, Julia Hemman, Martha Carletti.

The Increase of QK1 Protein Levels Between Barrett’s Esophagus Cells and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma. Brandon Betsch, Jessica Linton, Jennifer Gilbert, Martha Carletti.

Comparison of Dicer levels of normal esophagus vs. Barrett's. Anastasia Ratcliff, Laurencia Ouedraogo, Martha Carletti.

2014-2015 Discovery Day Projects

Esophageal Cancer Study: The Role of miR505 and miR944 Through the Transition of GERD to Barrett’s Esophagus. Shannon Schrader, Teresa Lara, Martha Carletti.

Marker Identification for the Transition State of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease to Barrett’s Esophagus. Rachel Hernandez, Shannon Groe, Martha Carletti.