Justin A. Cobb, PhDjustinadaircobb@gmail.com phone (217) 491-6459

SummaryNeuroscience PhD with a decade of scientific research experience, eight years of which at university health science campuses in Illinois and Mississippi, and nearly three years of award-winning government affairs journalism specializing in local government coverage, looking to combine these experiences toward an exciting and challenging new career as an active participant in governmental affairs.

EducationUniversity of Mississippi Medical CenterDoctor of Philosophy, Neuroscience, December 2012, GPA 3.10 / 4.0

Sole student member on campuswide Institutional Assessment Committee overseeing efforts toward ultimately successful renewal of regional accreditation with Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, 2008-2011.

Graduate Student Body president, 2007-2010. Chair, Brain Awareness Week event organizing committee, UMMC Program in Neuroscience,

2009.

University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignMaster of Science, Biology, May 2004, GPA 3.53 / 4.0

Neuroscience Program Predoctoral Fellowship, August 2002 – August 2003, a first-year graduate fellowship awarded based on stellar undergraduate academic achievement.

Bachelor of Science, Biology (Chemistry minor), May 2002, GPA 3.58 / 4.0 Golden Key International Honour Society, inducted April 2002. Dean's List four consecutive semesters, Fall 2000 – Spring 2002. Varsity Men's Glee Club, Fall 1998 – Spring 2002.

Recent professional experienceCampbell Publishing CompanyReporter, September 2014 – Present

First Place, Best Education Story, “Most area schools winners under SB16,” Southern Illinois Editorial Association 2015 Better Newspaper Contest, announced at SIEA annual meeting, April 17, 2015.

Second Place, Maurice Scott Award for Best Coverage of Taxation, Illinois Press Association 2015 Excellence in News Contest, announced at annual IPA Awards Luncheon, June 12, 2015.

Honorable Mention, Government Beat Reporting, “Grant funding in rural development,” Illinois Press Association 2015 Excellence in News Contest, announced at annual IPA Awards Luncheon, June 12, 2015.

Coulson PublicationsReporter, October 2012 – September 2014

Meticulous coverage of local governing bodies, including county government, four K-12 public school districts, and several cities, villages, and special districts.

Expert in identifying and developing professional relationships with authoritative sources, especially policymakers, through frequent and thorough exploration of state and federal policy,

regulation, and legislation affecting local governing bodies.

University of Mississippi Medical CenterGraduate Research Assistant, August 2006 – December 2011Research Assistant/Researcher IV, March 2005 – August 2006

Performed laboratory research exploring cellular structure of hippocampus in major depressive disorder, resulting in a doctoral dissertation and two manuscripts.

Provided technical assistance for grant renewal, manuscript submission, and conference preparation, including data analysis, construction of figures, and critical review of draft submissions.

Presented preliminary results in abstract, presentation, or poster form at departmental seminars and professional conferences.

Southern Illinois University School of MedicineResearcher I, July 2004 – March 2005

Performed pilot preclinical studies in rats of a proprietary low-toxicity compound as potential adjuvant treatment of glioblastoma.