Education:
Duke University, Durham, NC - 2015-2021 - Graduation 2021
Doctor of Philosophy, Biology / Minor: Science & Society
Ripon College, Ripon, WI - Graduation 2015
Bachelor of Arts, Chemistry-Biology Major; Latin Minor - Cum Laude
University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, Fife KY16 9AJ - Scotland
September 2013 - December 2013 - Undergraduate Semester Abroad
Awards and Honors:
National Science Foundation (NSF) Postdoctoral Research Fellowship: 2023 – Present
Race and the Professions Fellowship (Duke University): 2020 – 2021
2019 Dean’s Award for Excellence in Mentoring (Duke University): Spring 2019
AAAS/Science Program for Excellence in Science: 2018 – 2019
Nominee for the Michelle P. Winn Inclusive Excellence Award: Spring 2018
National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellow: 2017 – 2021
Duke University BioCoRE Scholar: 2015 – 2021
Ripon College McNair Scholar: 2013 – 2015
Ph.D. Dissertation Topic:
Biology Department– Duke University, Durham, NC 2015 – 2021
Dissertation Advisor: David McClay, Ph.D
Dissertation topic – Investigating the Immune System and Colonialism in Sea Urchins
Biology Minor Advisor: Jory Weintraub, Ph.D
Topic – Science & Society
Past Research Experience:
Graduate Program Lab Work – Duke University, Durham, NC Fall 2015-Spring 2016
Rotation PI: David McClay, Ph.D
Topic – Immune cell markers and candidate gene interactions in the sea urchin
Rotation PI: Debra Silver, Ph.D
Topic – Dehosing the basal endfeet: FMRP in radial glial cells of the embryonic mouse
Rotation PI: Kenneth Poss, Ph.D
Topic – Exploring tph1b positive cells in regenerating zebrafish fins
NSF (National Science Foundation) REU - University of Chicago, Chicago, Il Summer 2014
● PI: Edwin Munro, Ph.D
● Topic – The role of VAB-1, NCK-1, and WSP-1 in CHIN-1’s localization and clustering in the C. elegans zygote
McNair Scholars Program - Ripon College, Ripon, WI Summer 2013
● PI: Dr. Barbara Sisson, Ph.D
● Topic – Changes in Rotifer Salinity May Lead to Increased Zebrafish Growth
Publications:
Allen, R.L., R.L. Wallace, and B.E. Sisson. 2016. A rotifer based technique to rear zebrafish larvae in small academic settings. Zebrafish 13(4) 281-286.
Tornini, V.A., J.D. Thompson, R.L. Allen, and K.D. Poss. 2017. Live fate-mapping of joint-associated fibroblasts visualizes expansion of cell contributions during zebrafish fin regeneration. Development 144 2889-2895.
Policy Brief Primary Author: Raymond L. Allen - Duke SciPol, “Prevention of Escapement of Genetically Altered Salmon in the United States Act (HR 206, 115th Congress)” available at http://scipol.duke.edu/content/prevention-escapement-genetically-altered-salmon-united-states-act-hr-206-115th-congress-0 (07/25/2017).
Sosa, Karla; Quarles, Brandie; Notar, Julia; Gartner, Valerie; Simha, Anita; Allen, Raymond; Carley, Lauren N. (2020): Duke Biology IDEA Anti-Racism in Science Initiative. figshare. Online resource. https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.13003163
Sosa, Karla; Quarles, Brandie; Notar, Julia; Gartner, Valerie; Simha, Anita; Allen, Raymond; Carley, Lauren N. (2020): Duke Biology IDEA Actions for Racial Equity Demands. figshare. Online resource. https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.13003181
Simha, Anita; Allen, Raymond; Carley, Lauren N. (2021): Introduction to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Anti-racism in Biology Syllabus. figshare. Online resource. https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.13611287
Allen, R.L., A.N. George, E. Miranda, T.M. Phillips, J.M Crawford, D.P. Kiehart, and D.R. McClay. 2022. Wound repair in sea urchin larvae involves pigment cells and blastocoelar cells. Developmental Biology 491 56-65.
Allen, R.L. 2025. Academic training took me away from my Indigenous homeland—but I found my way back. Science 389(6759) 542.
Allen, R.L., S. Quale, C. Hockings, PhIN Collective, and G.A. Gerrish. 2026. A 100-Year Bloom of indigenous Limnology and Reconnection to Land through Field Stations. American Indian Culture and Research Journal 49(1) 49-77.
Specialized Coursework and Certifications:
Biology of Parasitism: Modern Approaches (Marine Biological Laboratory; Class of 2025)
Indigenous Technoscience Microcredential Series (University of Alberta-Faculty of Native Studies)
Wisconsin Boating Safety Education Certification
Ojibwemowin 1 & 2 (Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University)
Graphic Design for Biologists (Duke University)
Online Teaching (Duke University Summer Academy)
Introduction to Technology Policy & Ethics (Duke University)
Gene Regulatory Networks for Development (Marine Biological Laboratory; Class of 2016)