a. johns hopkins mbloomberg u' schooltfpublic heaijh...

A. JOHNS HOPKINS MBLOOMBERG "u' SCHOOLtfPUBLIC HEAIJH

Application Review Sheet This form is provided for your convenience, and does not need to be returned to Admissions Services. Please remember to update the applicant record in the Apply Yourself System, and send a copy of the department's decision letter to Admissions Services. Thank you.

Applicant Name: Blazar Jeffrey Michael Country of Citizensh~r United States of America Degree / Program: PhD: Molecular Microbiology al Molecular Microbiology and ImmUi Current Profession: tudent

Date Application Forwarded to Department/Program: Research Interests: Year / Term: September 2012

I. THIS APPLICANT IS ADMITTED: DYES DNO D Recommend to:

for DEGREE PROGRAM: DIVISION or TRACK:

to begin: D Summer Term D 1st Term D 2nd Term D 3rd Term D4th Term D Winter Institute D Summer Institute

Comments:

GRE (official only) Test Date VScore / %ile QScore / %ile AScore / %ile Is Official 07 2011 580 /82 780 / 89 5.5 /94 Y

/ / / / / /

GMAT (official only) Test Date VScore QScore Total Writing Is Official

TOEFL (official only) Test Date Test TYl2e Listening Writing Reading Sl2eaking / Essay Total Is Official

MCAT (official only) Test Date Verbal Physical Science Writing Saml2le Biological Science Total Is Official

Letters of Recommendation Recommender Name Relationshil2 Received Date

Marc Allard

Carolina Arce Research Mentor

Earlene Armstrong Faculty Advisor

Previous Schools School Name Degree Major Degree Date GPA Univ Maryland College Park BS BIOLOGY 05/2012 3.23

Work History Eml2loyer Location Working From Working To

JIFSAN College Park MD UNITED STATES 05/2009

University of Maryland College Park MD UNITED STATES 01/2009 05/2010

University of Maryland COLLEGE PARtMD UNITED STATES 08/2011

A JOHNS HOPKINS ~.n~ BLOOMBERG ~I." ·c 00 . .... ,r- S H L tfPUBLIC HEALTH

Admissions Services Student Affairs 615 N. Wolfe Street, Suite E1002 Baltimore, Maryland 21205-2179

ApPLICATION FOR ADMISSION

PERSONAL INFORMATION

1. Blazar Jeffrey Michael Mr. Last name (surname or family name) First name 1tliddle name Salutation Suffix Former Name

2. United States of America English

Social Security Number (U.S. applicants only) Country of Citizenship Native Language

3. 01/13/1990 Date of birth

4. Gender:

Email Address

[]I'Male 0 Female

5. [email protected] Primary

Washington D.C. City of birth

Secondary

Current Contact Information-valid until _________ _

6. 20408 Lindos Ct.

Address line one

Address line two

7. Montgomery Village MD 20886 City State

8. 301/807·9811 AND

United States of America Country of birth

Zip or postal code Country

AND

Residence Phone (Intl Ctry Code, Phone #) / Business Phone (Intl Ctry Code, Phone #) / Cell Phone (Intl Ctry Code, Phone #)

Permanent Contact Information-valid until

20408 Lindos Ct. 9.

Address line one

Address line two

10. Montgomery Village Maryland 20886

City State Zip or postal code

11. 301/807·9811 Permanent Residence Phone (Intl Ctry Code, Phone #)

Race and Ethnicity-U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents Only

12a. Are you Hispanic or Latino? [{Yes ONo

12b. Race?

o American Indian or Alaska Native

o Asian

o Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander

o Black or African American

li'White

Country

Blazar , Jeffrey Molecular Microbiology and Immunology PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) , Molecular Microbiology and ImmUi

13. Which of the following sources stimulated your interest in the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health? (Check all that apply.)

D Advertisement _______________ _ D Adviser _______________ _

rn' Alumni of JI-ISPH _C_a_t_h_e_ri_n_e_K_o_lf _____ _ D Colleague ______________ _

D Employer ________________ _ D Faculty ________________ _

D Graduate Fair _______________ _ D JHSPH Campus Visit __________ _

D JI-ISPI-I Student _____________ _ D Website ________________ _

D Web Chat ________________ _ D Other ________________ _

PROPOSED ACADEMIC PROGRAM

14. September 2012 PhD (Doctor of Philosophy)

Academic Year and Term Degree Program

15. Molecular Microbiology and Immunology Molecular Microbiology and Immunology Department Track/Division (if any)

16. Research Interest (if any)

NOTEI GENERAL PREVENTIVE MEDICINE APPLICANTS FOR THE PRACTICUM YEAR MUST HAVE EARNED THEIR MPH AT JOHNS HOPKINS BLOOMBERG SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH.

ACADEMIC HISTORY

17. Please list all colleges, universities, and graduate or professional schools attended in reverse chronological order (most recent first).

College or City, State Country Indicate if attended Attended From Attended To Major(s)/Minor(s) Degree GPA/GPA University as Undergraduate (mm/yyyy) (mm/yyyy) Received Scale

or Graduate or Expected Date

Unlv Maryland College Pk MD Undergraduate 08/2008 05/2012 BIOLOGY BS 3.23

College Park 4

Hopkins History

18. I-lave you applied to the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health previously? rn'No D Yes: Year of Application ______ _

19. I-lave you attended, or are you currently attending, a Hopkins institution? rn'No D Yes: Year Degree Received/Expected _______ _

Division _________________ _

20. Are you a current Hopkins faculty member? liN 0 D Yes: Division ________________ _

21. Are you a current Hopkins employee? [i(No DYes: Division ___________________ _

Additional Information

22. I-Iyve you ever been discontinued or dismissed from any school or college for reason of scholarship, discipline, or violation of academic ethics? rn No DYes If yes, please provide an explanation:

2

Blazar , Jeffrey Molecular Microbiology and Immunology PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) , Molecular Microbiology and ImmUI

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

23. Please provide a history of your professional and/ or research-related experience in reverse chronological order (most recent first).

Position Title Organization Name and Location Fonn (mm/yyyy) To (mm/yyyy)

JIFSAN Intern JIFSAN 05/2009 Colleae Park MD UNITED STATES

Assistant University of Maryland Colle~e Park MD UNITED STATES

01/2009 05/2010

Teaching Assistant University of Maryland 08/2011 COLLEGE PAR MD UNITED STATES

24. Please provide your current professional category. Select from the list provided. _S_t_u_d_e_n_t _____________ _

25. A copy of your resume or curriculum vita is required. I-lave you enclosed it with your application? [(Yes D No

Additional Information

26. I-lave you ever been convicted of a criminal offense, 0" are there criminal charges pending against you? DYes I:i No

If yes, please provide an explanation:

27. I-lave you ever been terminated from employment or professional practice for any ,'eason, or have there ever been any charges of ethical/professional misconduct filed against you? D Yes Ii No If yes, please provide an explanation:

TEST SCORES

28. Please enter the date on which you have taken, or expect to take, the GRE, Gl'vlAT, MeAT, TOEFL, IELTS or other test, and enter the score and percentile, if known.

Notel The ETS test code for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health is 5352.

GRE-Test Date (mm/yyyy) 07 2011

580 82 780 89 5.5 94 Verbal Score %ile Quant. Score %ile Analytical Score %ile Analytical Writing %ile

Verbal Score %ile Quant. Score %ile Analytical Score %ile Analytical Writing %ile

GMAT-Test Date (mm/yyyy)

Quant. Score %ile Verbal Score %ile AWA Score %ile Total Score %ile

MeAT-Test Date (mm/yyyy)

Phys. Score%ile Bio. Sci. Score %ile Verbal Reas. Score %ile Writing Sample %ile

3

Blazar , Jeffrey Molecular Microbiology and Immunology PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) , Molecular Microbiology and ImmUi

TO£FL-

Test Date (mm!yyyy) ________ _

Listening Structure/Writing Reading Test of Written English (TWE) Total Score

Computer-Based Scores 0 / Internet-Based Scores 0 /Paper-Based Scores 0


Listening Structnre/Writing Reading Test of Written English (rwE) Total Score

Computer-Based Scores 0 / Internet-Based Scores 0 /Paper-Based Scores 0

I£LTS-

Test Month ______ Test year _____ _

IELTS Registration Number ______________ Band Score __________________ _

Listening Speaking Reading Writing

Test Month ____ _ Test year _____ _

IELTS Registration Number ______________ Band Score __________________ _

Listening Speaking Reading Writing

Other-


Test Name Total Score

OTHER INFORMATION

Medical Graduates

Notel This section is to be completed by medical graduates only.

13. Please provide your internship and residency experience in reverse chronological order (most recent first). Format all dates as mm/yyyy.

Blazar , Jeffrey

Name of Institution

a.

b.

c.

Molecular Microbiology and Immunology PhD (Doctor of Philosophy)

Specialty Begin Date End Date

Board Cert. Country Date

, Molecular Microbiology and ImmUi

Board Eligible

30. If you hold a medical license in the United States or Canada, please indicate state or province and provide your medical examination information.

State or Province _____________________ _

USl'vILE Examination Scores: __________________________________ _

Score I Score II Score III Score IV

Other Medical Examination: _____ ------------------------------Name Score

31. If you are a graduate of a medical institution outside the United States or Canada, do you possess ECFMG certification?

Date Issued (mm/yyyy): ______ _ Certificate Number: _____________ _

International Students

Note! This section is to be completed by all non-U.S. citizens only.

32. Are you a permanent resident of the United States? DYes DNo Alien Registration Number: _______________ _

33. If you are not a U.S. citizen, do you currently hold a U.S. visa? DYes DNo

If yes, what type of visa do you currently hold?

D 1'-1 Student: Visa Number ______________________________________ _

D]-1 Exchange: Visitor/Student Visa Number ________________________________ _

D Other _______________ _ Visa Number ____________________ _

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

34. Do you intend to apply for Federal Student Aid (student loans and/or workstudy)? [(Yes DNo

35. If you are being funded by, or intend to be funded by, an external agency, please indicate below.

D Fogarty D Fulbright D Humphrey IYf Other NSDEG

PERSONAL STATEMENT

36. This part of the application is vital to the admissions review process. Please read the application instructions to make sure you provide the most useful statement possible. Since this statement is your first opportunity to demonstrate your own writing skills to our faculty, make sure you submit a concise, well-constructed essay. Please limit your statement to two pages or less and provide your name on the top of each page.

REFERENCES

37. Please provide the names, positions, addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses of the three persons who will be providing references for you.

Marc Allard Research Microbiologist a.

Name Position Online Provider [i(Yes DNo

[email protected]

Address Telephone Email

b. Earlene Armstrong Associate Professor

Name Position Online Provider [!l'Yes DNo

5

Bla~ar , Jeffrey

Address

Eric

Molecular Microbiology and Immunology PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) , Molecular Microbiology and ImmUi

Brown

Telephone

Branch Chief

[email protected]

Email

c.------------------------------------------------------________________________ .r ______________ __

Online Provider i!f Yes DNo Name Position

[email protected]

Address Telephone Email

REFERENCES

38. We will not share information regarding yonr application with anyone else without your permission. Please provide name, address, and telephone number of persons or agencies authorized by you to obtain information regarding your application. Include your relationship to this individual (i.e., parent, spouse, friend).

a. Name: Phone: Relationship:

b. Name: Phone: Relationship:

Name: Phone: Relationship: c.

39. Please read the following statement and indicate by your signatnre below that you agree to the terms stated. Unsigned applications will be returned.

I affirm that the information on this application form, and any additional material that I submit related to the admissions process, is complete, accurate, and true to the best of my knowledge. I agree to submit any other materials that are required for the admissions process. I understand that furnishing false or incomplete information on any part of this application for admission or any related materials may be cause for denial of admission, cancellation of registration, or revocation of a degree. I understand that my application fee is non-refundable and that any materials submitted related to my application become the property of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and cannot be returned or forwarded to a third party. I understand that the decision made on my application is final and not subject to appeal. Finally, I agree that if admitted as a student, I will honor the academic ethics code and the student conduct code of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Signatnre: Jeffrey Blazar Date: 9/24/2011 11: 14:00 PM

8.2009

6

JOHNS HOPKINS! BLOOMBERG SCHOOL(PUBUC HEA1TIIl

MPH ApPLICANT SUPPLEMENTAL FORM

Applicant's name: _B_I_a_z_a_r _________ J_e_ff_r_e--"y _______ M_ic_h_a_e_I ___________________ _ Last name First name 1tliddle name Former nnme(s) jf applicable

Social Security No. (U.S. applicants only): 111 S& _________ _ What is your primaty area of interest (for the purposes of faculty adviser assignment)?

SECTION ONE: PROFESSIONAL HEALTH-RELATED EXPERIENCE

Are you a dentist, veterinarian, medical student or physician? DYes D No

If you indicated YES, please sldp to the final question on this form because your training in medical school fulfills your course and work experience requirements.

Applicants to the MPH program must have at least two years of post-baccalaureate, full-time health-related work experience or a doctoral degree in a field underlying public health. This health-related experience requirement is waived for applicants to the MPH/JD, MPH/MSN, and MPH/MSW dual degree programs.

D I have 2 years of health-related experience. (YOH will be asked to provide details in Section POItr beI01}).)

D I have a doctoral degree in ______________________________________________ _

SeCTION Two: REQUIRED COLLEGE COURSES

You must submit an official transcript or mark sheet for every college attended.

At least one college course in mathematics is required (e.g., algebra, calculus, statistics). Please list college courses you have completed in mathematics.

Course title College Date taken Grade


At least two college courses related to human biology are required (e.g., biology, microbiology, anatomy, and physiology). Please list college courses you have completed in areas related to human biology.




If you anticipate completing any of the course requirements after submitting your application, please fill out the following section. Please note that coursework must be completed prior to your anticipated matriculation date, aod that the Admissions Office mnst have an official copy of the additional transcript prior to your matriculation into the program.

Course title College Expected date of completion

Course title College Expected date of comp!etion

SECTION THREE: TEST SCORE ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Do you have an advanced degree beyond the baccalaureate degree (such as a MS, :tvIA, MD, DDS, MBBS, PhD, etc.)? DYes D No

If you indicated NO, you must submit a standardized test score as part of the application process.

If you indicated YES, you may elect to have your application reviewed by the MPH Admissions Committee without a standardized test score such as the GRE, MCAT, GMAT, or LSAT. However, you may be putting yourself at a disadvantage, particularly if your admission materials do not demonstrate significant quantitative and analytical skills.

Applicants who request to have their application reviewed without a standardized test score may significantly reduce their chances of being awarded a scholarship. Applicants who have an advanced degree and wish to have their application reviewed without a standardized test score should check the "YES" box below.

I have read the statement above and I would like to have my application reviewed by the MPH Admissions Committee without submitting a standardized

test score. DYes DNo .

SECTION Four: PROFESSIONAL HEALTH-RELATED EXPERIENCE - DETAILS

Applicants to the MPH program must have at least two years of post- baccalaureate, full-time, health-related work experience. Please provide details of your health-related experience. Be sure to include a current resume or curriculum vita with your application materials.

NOTE! As stated in Section One above, the health-related experience requirement is waived for most applicants who possess a doctoral degree or a1'e applying fo1' the MPH/JD, MPH/MSN, 01' MPH/MSW joint deg1'ee p1'og1'ams.

Position title Period of employment Hours per week

Role and Scope of Responsibility

Position title Period of employment Hours per week


Position title Period of employment Hours pcr week


Position title Period of employment Hours pcr week


Resume Curriculum Vitae

Jeffrey M. Blazar

20408 Lindos Q. Montgomery Village, :MD 20886

EDUCATION Bachelor of Science (Honors), Biology (Anticipated 2012) University of Maryland, College Park, Honors College GPA: 3.232

ACADEMIC AWARDS AND HONORS Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society University Honors Program Semester Academic Honors

RELEVANT COURSEWORK

Jeffrey Blazar 3411663

[email protected] (301) 807-9811

• Principles of Biology I, II, III, Cell Biology and Physiology, General Microbiology, Pathogenic Microbiology • Principles of Genetics, Molecular Genetics, Bioinformatics and Integrated Genomics • Principles of Evolution, Molecular Evolution • Biology of Insects, Environmental Plant Physiology • General Chemistry I, II, Organic Chemistry I, II, Biochemistry I

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE FDA Internship Summer 2009-present Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition Office of Regulatory Science, Division of Microbiology Dr. Marc Allard, Principal Investigator and Mentor

• Lead research program on evaluating insects as vectors of S almone/la • Investigate presence of foodborne pathogens in environmental samples through use of mass spectrometry and magnetic

beads coated "With anti-Salmonella antibodies • Develop a PCR.-based sequencing detection kit in order to understand phylogeny of, and screen for, multiple serotypes of

S. enteri.YI in food • Train and mentor newest interns in latest research methods

NIH Summer Internship Program Summer 2007 and 2008 National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Gutilage Biology and Orthopedics Branch Dr. Rocky Tuan, Principal Investigator, Dr. Wesley Jackson, Mentor, and Dr. Hana Smith, Mentor

• Executed research projects on the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells derived from traumatized muscle • Developed several laboratory skills in molecular, cellular, and histological methods

WORK EXPERIENCE Teaching Assistant: Principles of Biology I August 20ll-present

• Lead and teach 23 students in one laboratory section per week

Standardized test grader and assistant: January 2009-May 2010 Dept. of Special Education, University of Maryland: College Park, Maryland

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES President: American Society of Microbiology, University of Maryland: College Park, Maryland August 20ll-present

• Further education and creativity in microbiology • Provide an open fonun for student-faculty communication

Undergraduate senator: Febmary20ll-May2011 University Senate, University of Maryland: College Park, Maryland

Resume Curriculum Vitae . Jeffrey Blazar • Advise the President of the University of Maryland on issues of education, budget, personnel, campus-community, 10n'g411663

range plans, facilities, and student affairs • Represent 1,000 tmdergraduate students of the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences

Vohmteer at University Health Center in Urgent/Primary Care Department Fail 2008

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE Nursing home assistant and resident escorter: November 2003-2009 Hebrew Home of Greater Washington: Rockville, Maryland

PUBLICATIONS, ABSTRACTS, SCIENTIFIC POSTERS AND PRESENTATIONS Lienau EK, Stones R, Blazat JM, Datta SR, Wang C, Musser S, Brown EW, Allard MW. Nothing Makes Sense in Disease Except in Light of Evolution- a dadistic Method Discovers Gene Sequences That Define Salmonella enter ita Subspecies I: Implications for Pathogenicity and Diagnostics. PNAS [to be submitted]

Allard MW, Bell R, Burrows E, Allard S, Chen Y, Binet R, Hannis J, Manalili S, Matthews H, Housley R, Blazat JM, Bono J, Pierce SE, Strain E, Musser S, Brown EW, Sampath R. Assay Development for Molecular Species and Sub-Species Identification of Salmonella, E. coli, S hige/la, and Listeria Using the IBIS T5000/PlexID Biosensor System. Jot/rnal of Clinical Microbiology [to be submitted]

Blazat JM, Datta SR, Burrows EW, Brown EW, Allard MW. Rapid Detection of Salmonella spp. from Common Insect Vectors. [in preparation]

Blazat JM, Datta SR, Burrows EW, Brown EW, Allard MW. Rapid Detection of Salmonella spp. from Common Insect Vectors [Abstract]. Foods Program Science and Research Conference, Silver Spring, MD, June 2011

Lienau EK, Strain E, Blazat JM, Datta SR, Wang C, Musser S, Brown EW, Allard MW. Homology, Evolution and the Use of dadistic Methods to Do Epidemiological Trace-backs and to Discover Targets that Identify and Discriminate Among Pathogenic Bacteria [Abstract]. Foods Program Science and Research Conference, Silver Spring, MD, June 2011

Lienau EK, Blazat JM, Datta SR, Wang C, Musser S, Brown EW, Allard MW. dadistic Method Discovers Targets that Identify and Discriminate Amongst the Top Center for Disease Control and Prevention Serotypes of Salmonella Enterita [Symposia]. 111th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology. New Orleans, LA, May2011

Blazat JM, Datta SR, Burrows EW, Brown EW, Allard MW. Rapid Detection of Salmonella spp. from Common Insect Vectors [Abstract]. l11th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology. New Orleans, LA, May 20 11

Blazat JM, Lienau EK, Allard MW. 2011. Insects as Vectors of Foodbome Pathogenic Bacteria. Terrestrial Arthropod Reviews 4(1):5-16

Bell R, Allard S, Blazat JM, Burrows E, Hammack T, Hannis J, Li F, Manalili S, Matthews H, McFarland M, Roberson D, Sampath R, Wang C, Zheng J, Callahan J, Brown E, Musser S, Allard MW. Assay Development for Molecular Serotyping of Salmonella, E. c'oli, and Shigella using the IBIS T5000/PlexID Biosensor System. 110th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology. San Diego, CA, May 2010

Blazat JM, Burrows EW, Bell R, Brown EW, Allard MW. Identification and sub-typing of Salmonella enteric'Ci serovars using the IBIS T5000/PlexID system. Mid Atlantic AOAC Washington DC ASM Combined Scientific Meeting. College Park, MD, April 2010

Blazat JM, Burrows EW, Bell R, Brown EW, Allard MW. Identification and sub-typing of Salmonella enter ita serovars using the IBIS T5000/PlexID system. Undergraduate Research Day, College Park, MD, April 2010

Blazar JM and Allard MW. Exploration of the Available Salmonella Genomes and Other Foodbome Pathogens. Division of Microbiogy Summer Presentation Day, College Park, MD, July 2009

Blazat JM, HH Smith and RS Tuan; The Influence of Wnt on Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells During Chondrogenesis. NIH Poster Day, Bethesda, MD, August 2008

Blazat JM, WM Jackson, SM Koehler, AB Aragon, LJ Nesti and RS Tuan. Multiple Differentiation of Mesenchymal Progenitor Cells Derived from Traumatized Muscle. NIH Poster Day, Bethesda, MD, August 2007

Statement of Experience Goal Jeffrey Blazar


I was born in Washington D.C. where one in twenty residents are HIV positive, according to the D.C. Department of Health. Especially in the inner city, infectious diseases such as HIV / AIDS devastate vulnerable and underserved people. I see firsthand how infectious diseases impact a local community, and therefore, I am highly motivated to pursue a PhD degree in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology (MMI) at Johns Hopkins University (JHU).

Additional inspiration for applying to JHU stems from years of research experience at the NIH and U.S. FDA. My research experiences (2007-present) have shaped my academic and professional goals. I acquired several basic skills in the biomedical sciences during my NIH internship, and I developed interest in foodborne pathogens and public health at the FDA.

First, I interned for two smnmers at the National Instihltes of Health in Bethesda, MD (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases) under the supervision of principal investigator Dr. Rocky Tuan. My research experience at the NIH taught me relevant skills in molecular, cellular, and histological methods. My research responsibilities included projects on the differentiation of mesenchymal progenitor/stem cells derived from traumatized muscle and injured cartilage. I performed fundamental genetic techniques, such as DNA/RNA extraction, RT-PCR, and Real-Time PCR, as well as sterile cell culture. Our research found potential for stem cells derived from muscle tissue to be used for clinical interventions, thereby replacing traumatized and damaged tissues.

Currently, I work with Dr. Marc Allard, a principal investigator at the FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition in College Park, MD (2009-present). I was the lead investigator of evaluating insects as vectors of S. enterica in a replica tomato field environment. I have published a first-author research article highlighting insects as vectors of foodborne pathogenic bacteria, and I have presented a handful of posters at national meetings.

My research at the FDA began after several strains of S. enterica were recently identified for foodborne outbreaks in the United States. According to the scientific literature, a potential mode of transmission of these strains is through insect vectors interacting with our food supply. Determining a rapid method to sub-type Salmonella spp. is important for an efficient response to future outbreaks, to which insect vectors may contribute. My research uses a combination of genetic and microbiological methods for rapid foodborne pathogen detection in common insect vectors.

Over three years, I led eleven different insect collections at an experimental tomato field and surrounding areas on the Virginia Eastern Shore. We performed an overnight pre-enrichment of the insects in buffered peptone water, isolated DNA, and used electrospray ionization mass spectrometry to identify and distinguish among closely related taxa through variations in base composition of specific PCR amplicons from the isolated DNA.

Multiple insect samples, including seven fly traps (Order: Diptera), three ant traps (Family: Formicidae), two wasps (Family Crabronidae; Potter wasp-Cerceris jitmipennis), one carpenter ant (Camponotus ferrugineus), one beetle (unknown family), and an Eastern amberwing (Perithemis tenera (Say», were positive for Salmonella spp. Typhimurium, Newport, Houtenae, Paratyphi B, and Adelaide were the Salmonella serovars genetically detected by electro spray ionization mass spectrometry. My research explored the importance of insects' associations with foodborne pathogens in terms of pathogen survival and transmission to other insects, crops, and the worldwide food supply. The research highlights a rapid and efficient way to both identify any insects that are to blame for Salmonella contaniination before a widespread foodborne outbreak and to detect and isolate the agents of foodborne disease.

· Statement of Experience Goal Jeffrey Blazar


My first professional goal-one of many-is to complete an advanced degree in the biology and ecology behind these infectious diseases. Later in my career, I hope to make profound research contributions to the fields of public health and microbiology. I want to pursue applied research that addresses issues of public health importance which impact global communities and economies. My work at the FDA on S. enterica helps me perceive concretely how applied research yields both health-saving technologies and policies.

As I have a diverse set of academic interests in infectious diseases, I am aware of the broad range of work in this field. Although I have already done research on specific projects, I am open to exploring any number of interesting problems in this area if accepted into one of the MMI research labs. I am broadly interested in microbiology and vector borne diseases, and research rotations would allow me to focus my interests. Nonetheless, my passion for research in vector borne diseases fits in well with the goals and curriculum of the MMI program.

The MMI program will prepare me to make profound research contributions to the area of molecular microbiology and immunology. A PhD degree in molecular microbiology and immunology from JHU is the education I need to become a successful independent investigator at the forefront of discovery. The MMI program will advance my professional goals by equipping me with a diverse array of educational concepts and tools in order to solve issues significant in the public health arena. The various opportunities for cutting-edge research in medical entomology in state-of-the-art facilities attract me to this particular program in the School of Public Health.

I want to pursue graduate study and top-notch research at JHU that greatly expands what is currently known in public health. Furthermore, I strive to make lasting impacts in public health on both national and global stages. My personal background and research experiences at the NIH and FDA, which include significant research on vector-borne pathogenic bacteria, provide the ideal preparation for graduate study at Johns Hopkins University.

J H U B L o 0 M B ERG S C H 0 0 o F PUB LIe A D M I S S ION S S E R V I C E S 6 1 5 N. W 0 L F E ST. S U I T E E 1 2

B A L TIM ORE M D 2 1 205

Admissions Office Student Affairs

A JOHNS HOPKINS ~;~~ BLOOMBERG '@" SCHOOL o/'PUBLlC HEALTH

615 North Wolfe Street, Suite E1002 Baltimore, Maryland 21205-2179

RECOMMENDATION FORM

To the applicant: Please complete the upper portion of the recommendation form and forward it to a person who is familiar with your

professional work, or to a college or graduate faculty member who is acquainted with your academic record.

Applicant's namc:---"'B""la""z""a""'r'--_______ ..cJ~e~ff'_'_'_'re~y'__ _______ .....!.!M""ic~h!:!.a""e,-I _________________ _

Last name First name Middle name Former name(s) if applicable

Social Security No. (U.S.): Email: ...:J:...·b_la_z_a_r....:@:::-u_m_d_._e_d_u ______________ _

Degree and/or department to which you are applying: _P:.....!-'hc:D::....l.'(D=o-"c"'to=--r-"o"-f-'P...:h'-'-'-'-il""o""s-"o"'p"-h:..Jyw)'--__________________ _

Do you wish to waive your right to examine this letter of recommendation? IZl Yes DNo

To THE PERSON COMPLETING THE RECOMMENDATION FORM:

Please use the reverse side or an attached sheet for your WRITTEN STATEMENT.

A written statement, in addition to the completed chart below, is essential to our evaluation of this applicant. Please rank the applicant in comparison with others applying for graduate education in the specified degree program.

Top 5% Top 10% Top 20% Top 50% Unable to Assess

Promise as a public health researcher/practitioner

Recommended enthusiastically

Recommended with confidence

Recommended

Recommended with reservation

Not Recommended

[ZJ

D D D D

Signature: Earlene Armstrong

Name (Print): Earlene Armstrong

Title and Department: Associate Professor, Dept. of Entomology

Institution: University of Maryland

Address: 4112 Plant Sciences Bldg., College Park, MD 20742

Telephone: (301) 405·3925

Email Address: [email protected]

Once you complete the written statement and this form, please return them promptly to the applicant in the self-addressed envelope that s/he has ptovidecl. PLEASE BE SURE TO SEAL THE ENVELOPE AND SIGN YOUR NAME ACROSS THE SEAL. The applicant has been instructed to return the sealed recommendation forms along with the rest of the application materials. Thank you fOl' providing this information.

PLEASE USE THE REVERSE SIDE OF THIS SHEET OR AN ATTACHED LETTER FOR YOUR WRITTEN STATEMENT,

GUIDELINES FOR THE WRITTEN STATEMENT MAY BE FOUND ON THE BACK OF THIS SHEET.

25

WRITTEN STATEMENT

The School would appreciate a candid statement from you concerning this applicant. In your written statement, please be sure to comment on the following:

• How long you have known the applicant and in what capacity

• What you consider to be the applicant's strengths and talents

• Any weaknesses that may impede the applicant's ability to pursue rigorous graduate study

• How much thought you feel the applicant has given to study in public health

• English proficiency if the applicant's native language is not English

• The ratings you have assigned on the reverse side of this sheet including any additional comments about the applicant's record, potential, or personal qualities that you feel would be helpful to the admissions committee

I have known Jeffrey Blazar for two years as one of the many undergraduate Biology students whom I advise.He is a wonderful student and has worked hard to maintain his academic record at the University. Jeffrey had already amassed 21 advanced placement credits towards the B.S. degree when he entered the University in 200B.He has received academic semester honors for the majority of his tenure during his undergraduate studies. Jeffrey is a tireless, highly motivated young man with numerous talents and self-discipline.He currently is president of the student's Microbiology Society Chapter and serves as a teaching assistant for a Biology lab. He is very conscientious about his work, sets goals and is willing to work hard to accomplish those goals.His research internships on food safety at NIH and FDA have fostered his interests in public health. He has published a paper in the area of food safety and would like to continued work in this area during his graduate studies.

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A JOHNS HOPKINS ~n~ BLOOMBERG ,.." SCHOOL o/'PUIlUC HEALTH

615 North Wolfe Street, Suite EI002 Baltimore, Maryland 21205-2179

RECOMMENDATION FORM

To the applicant: Please complete the upper portion of the recommendation form and forward it to a person who is familiar with your professional work, or to a college or graduate faculty member who is acquainted with your academic record.

Applicant's name:--"'B"'la""z"'a"-'r'------_______ -'J~e~ff'"'_'_'re"_'yL_ _______ ___'_'_M!.!.ic"'_h~a",.e ..... 1 _________________ _


Social Security No. (U.S.): Email: ...:i'--b_la_z_a_r--'@::-u_m_d_._e_d_u ______________ _

Degree and/or department to which you are applying: ----'P:.....:..:h'-=O'--"(O=o.:=c-=-to=--r.:=oc:.f-=-P...:hc:.i:..:.lo=s.:=o-"p:..:.h~yw) ___________________ _

Do you wish to waive your right to examine this letter of recommendation? GZI Yes DNa



A written statement, in addition to the completed chart below, is essential to our evaluation of this applicant. Please tank the applicant in comparison with others applying for graduate education in the specified degree program.



Signatllre:-'-'-M'-"a:..:.r.=c ______ A:..=II""a"-r=d ____ _

Recommended enthusiastically Name (Print): Marc Allard

Recommended with confidence

[Z]

D D D D

Title and Department: --'.M!.!-'-'ic"'r-"o'-'b"'i."o"'lo"'-g=is".,t'---________________ _

Recommended Institlltion:----'FccO"'-'-A-'--________________________ _

Recommended with reservation Address: 5100 Paint Branch Parkway, College Park MO

Not Recommended Telephone: 240·402·2941

Email Address:[email protected]

Once you complete the written statement and this form, please return them promptly to the applicant in the self-addressed envelope that s/he has provided. PLEASE BE SURE TO SEAL THE ENVELOPE AND SIGN YOUR NAME ACROSS THE SEAL. The applicant has been inst1'llcted to return the sealed recommendation forms along with the rest of the application materials. Thank you for providing this information.

PLEASE USE THE REVERSE SIDE OF THIS SHEET OR AN ATTACHED LETTER FOR YOUR WRITTEN STATEMENT.


25

WRITTEN STATEMENT








9-06-2011

Dear Committee,

Please accept this letter of reference for Jeffrey Blazar for consideration to receive a fellowship at your graduate school. Jeffrey has worked in my laboratory for a little over 3 years as a Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (JIFSAN) undergraduate fellow at the U.S. FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. Jeffrey has been assisting me with looking for food borne pathogens in insects using microbiology, genetics and bioinformatics. He has been helping me with all aspects of this work including insect collection, pre-enrichment of bacteria and the genetic and molecular biology testing for foodborne pathogens. Additionally he has assisted one of the post doctoral students with primer designs, PCR and capillary sequencing of new genetic targets for Salmonella detections.

, Just so the committee knows something about the letter writer, I received my Ph.D. in biology in 1990 from Harvard University (Cambridge, MA). I was the Louis Weintraub Associate Professor of Biology (and Genetics) at George Washington University (Washington, DC) for 14 years from 1994 to 2008. I also had appointments to the Visiting Scientists Program both at the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Counterterrorism and Forensic Science Research Unit (CTFSRU) and in the Chem.-Bio. Sciences Unit (CBSU) for approximately 8 years, where I assisted in the anthrax investigations as well as in human genetics data-basing. I joined the Office of Regulatory Science and the Division of Microbiology in November 2008 and I have been using DNA sequence information from the genomes of food borne pathogens to identify unique single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and whole proteins to rapidly identify the various strains of bacteria, particularly Salmonella, E. coli, Shigella and Listeria; I specialize in both phylogenetic analysis and bioinformatics methods, as well as the wet laboratory methods which generate this genetic information.

Currently, Jeffrey is operating more like a Masters student than an undergraduate. He has successfully collected data, written it up both as a poster for a national meeting (ASM 2011) as well as written one publication (review chapter in TAR already published). He also has been very helpful to me for several other papers where he has organized the data and or reviewed the literature and gotten this all into the proper journal formats. He will be a junior co-author in two other papers. Clearly, Jeffrey is not your typical new potential graduate students but has already demonstrated his capabilities to perform successfully in an academic environment. Jeffrey has also been very independent and I know that when I give him work that he will do it and it will be done well and in a timely fashion.

Jeffrey received JIFSAN stipend support and research support from the University of Maryland and the FDA for all of the time he has been here, and I have been happy to continue his support. He is finishing his third year with us. Jeffrey largely has conducted his research independently. He is particularly interested in looking for bacteria in insects, to examine these vectors as potential sources for food borne contamination and outbreaks. Over the last few years he has published one review paper that was part of his senior thesis and he assisted in two other papers related to genetic testing for food borne pathogens. Also, Jeffrey will be the first author on his own submission concerning the prevalence of foodborne pathogens in insect. This last paper is in preparation.

I rank Jeffrey in the top group of any of the undergraduates that have worked in my lab over the years. The last one like Jeffrey successfully completed her Ph.D. at MIT and is now a patent lawyer with a large legal firm. I am not certain what Jeffrey will ultimately decide to do in school but he will be successful and he can write. Jeffrey should be carefully considered for the graduate support and position that you

26


A JOHNS HOPKINS ~n~ BLOOMBERG ' •• ' SCHOOL ofPUBLlC HEALTH

615 North Wolfe Street, Suite EI002

Baltimore, Maryland 21205-2179

RECOMMENDATION FORM

To the applicant: Please complete the upper portion of the recommendation form and forward it to a person who is familiar with your

professional work, or to a college or graduate faculty member who is acquainted with your academic record.

AplJlicant's name:-'=B''_I"'-a=za"'-!..r ________ -'J~e""ff!..!!.re""yL_ ________ .!.!M.!.!i"'c"_h"'a"'e"_I __________________ _


Social Security No. (U.S.): Email: ....:j'-b_la_z_a_r....:@=-u_m_d_._e_d_u ______________ _

Degree and/or department to which you are applying: _P:.....:..:hc:O"""'(O=o..=c"'to=-r..=o""f...:.P....:h"'i:.:.lo=s.=o-"'p""h""yu.) ___________________ _

Do you wish to waive your right to examine this letter of recommendation? IZl Yes DNo



A written statement, in addition to the completed chart below, is essential to our evaluation of this applicant. Please rank the applicant

in comparison with others applying for graduate education in the specified degree program.


Breadth of general knowledge

" QuantitativefAnalyticaJability)

Quality of oral expression


Signature: Gabriela Arce

Recommended enthusiastically [Z]

D D D D

Name (Print):--->G,.,a"'b""rw.ie"""'la'--_____ --'-A-"r...,c<.>e<--____________ _

Recommended with confidence Title and Department: --'M.!.!!.!ic""r'-"o~b""i"'o"_Io=g"'is"'t'__ _________________ _

Recommended Institution:----'Fc..O"'--'--A-'---________________________ _

Recommended with reservation Address: 5100 Paint Branch Parkway College Park MO. 20740

Not Recommended Telephone: 240·402·2042

Email Address: [email protected]

Once you complete the written statement and this form, please return them promptly to the applicant in the self-addressed envelope that s/he has

provided. PLEASE BE SURE TO SEAL THE ENVELOPE AND SIGN YOUR NAME ACROSS THE SEAL. The applicant has been instructed

to return the sealed recommendation forms along with the rest of the application materials. Thank you for providing this information.

PLEASE USE THE REVERSE SIDE OF THIS SHEET OR AN ATTACHED LETTER FOR YOUR WRITTEN STATEMENT.


25

WRITTEN STATEMENT


26







Writ~e(1 Statement Gabriela Arce

Dear Johns Hopkins School of Public Health Admissions,

I enthusiastically, and with no reservations, write this letter of recommendation on behalf of Jeffrey M. Blazar. I have supervised Jeffrey's research at the FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) for more than one years. Jeffrey is an outstanding intern, one of the best I have had the opportunity to work with. Furthermore, his excellent academic record attests to his impressive work ethic. Jeffrey will succeed as he pursues a PhD at Johns Hopkins.

I had the pleasure in 2010 to meet Jeffrey. He was very excited to become actively involved in our research lab, and ever since then he ,has made significant contributions. His current research project rapidly detects Salmonella enterica from insect vectors. He uses electro spray-ionization mass spectrometry as well as traditional culturing methods to identify and isolate S. enterica from common insects in the wild.

His research has been quite successful. Jeffrey was selected to attend the American Society for Microbiology General Meeting in New Orleans in May 2011 to present his impressive research, and he was invited to write a press release as well for the media covering the General Meeting. In addition, Jeffrey is the first author of a review article that discusses which insects serve as impactful vectors of pathogenic bacteria, such as E. coli and Salmonella. Jeffrey is a very talented and eager individual, willing to take on lots of laboratory work; this was observed when in early 2011 he began working with one of the post-doctoral fellows in the lab.

In early 2011, Jeffrey helped create a sequencing detection kit used to better elucidate the phylogenetic relationships of S. enterica in foodborne outbreaks. He used DNA sequences of the top 40 serovars of S. enterica and designed PCR primers that would only amplify S. enterica. Next, he successfully tested the designed primers by using them for PCR on 48 different Salmonella genomes. This kit will help public health officials and industry to detect this costly pathogen more quickly and cheaply, and Jeffrey is one of the key contributors of this work that has been submitted to PNAS for publication. Jeffrey is the second-author of this research paper entitled "Whole Genome Sequence Based Cladistic Method Discovers Gene Gains that Define Salmonella enterica subspecies I: implications for evolution, diagnostics and pathogenesis."

I am delighted to inform you that Jeffrey will make lasting contributions to the field of molecular microbiology and immunology. His research background in microbiology is very solid, and he will do extremely well at Johns Hopkins. Jeffrey has performed very well in school. He is actively involved in the University Honors Program at the University of Maryland, and he consistently enrolls in several upper-level courses every semester. Each week, he works for a total of 20 hours per week and successfully handles the demands of college and work life. Therefore, he is well-prepared for the academic demands of graduate study.

I am happy to provide Jeffrey with my greatest possible recommendation. I strongly urge you to select him for the Molecular Microbiology and Immunology PhD program. Based on Jeffrey's previous research work and great work ethic, everyone here at CFSAN expects Jeffrey to do extremely well at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Sincerely, Dr. Gabriela Carolina Arce

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lZevision of Publication Information in My Application to JHSPH https://mail.jhsph.edu/owa/[email protected]/?ae=Item&t=IPM.Note& ...

1 of 1

Revision of Publication Information in My Application to JHSPH Jeffrey Blazar [[email protected]]

Sent: Tuesday, November 29,20111:02 PM

To: JHSPH Apply

Good afternoon,

I would like to make the following update to my application to the PhD program in MMI.

My PNAS citation featured in my list of publications should instead be as follows:

Lienau EK, Blazar JM, Brown EW Stones R, Musser S, Allard MW. Whole Genome Sequence Based Cladistic Method Discovers Gene Gains that Define Salmonella enterica subspecies I: implications for evolution, diagnostics and pathogenesis. PNAS [accepted]

Thank you! Jeffrey Blazar

11/30/2011 12:30 PM

a. johns hopkins mbloomberg u' schooltfpublic heaijh...

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