To create a positive impact through the application of scientific knowledge facilitated by data analysis and visualization. This impact will be achieved by asking the right questions while learning and applying the most effective techniques.
Education
BACHELOR OF ARTS | 2012 | UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO - BOULDER
Major: Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology
Skills and Abilities
COMPUTER SCIENCE
Python
Numpy
Pandas
Matplotlib
Seaborn
Jupyter Notebooks
Kivy
Tkinter
PySimpleGUI
HTML
CSS
SQL
GitHub
DATA ANALYSIS
Graphically display data results. Run statistical analysis to find
significant group differences. These include but are not limited to
scatterplots, bar charts and pie charts with and without standard error
of the mean values. Created Python programs to compile and analyze
thousands of MS Excel data cells. Also, programs to extract text file
data and convert this data into analyzable MS Excel datasheets.
Created sharable desktop and mobile applications for specific data
collection and laboratory calculations.
LEADERSHIP
Perpetually training undergraduate students, fellow professional researchers and post-doctoral fellows. Provide guidance for professional conduct to students that have no prior professional experiences. Coordinate collaborative scientific projects and timelines to meet research goals.
MANAGEMENT
Partner with numerous Principal Investigators simultaneously. Managing different projects and leading their respective teams toward experimental objectives on different timelines. These experimental endeavors were accomplished while managing inventory and regulatory compliance.
COMMUNICATION
Oral presentation of research findings to colleagues, peers as well as the public. Presented at numerous neuroscience conventions, including the Society for Neuroscience. Co-author peer reviewed scientific papers across a variety of scientific domains.
Experience
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHER
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO INSTITUTE FOR BEHAVIORAL GENETICS | 2003 - 2012
Used molecular biology techniques to analyze the genetics of mice.
Analyzed nicotinic receptor differences in genetic knockout mice.
Cross bred genetically engineered mice.
Characterized genetically engineered mouse phenotypes through behavioral testing.
Gained experience performing surgeries on mice.
Dosed mice with compounds of interest, monitored their subsequent behaviors in addition to ensuring they maintained overall good health.
Collected tissue samples for molecular analysis in a specific pathogen free facility. The samples were collected from a colony including twenty unique mouse strains and hundreds of mice.
- Supervisor: Michael J. Marks Ph.D.
PROFESSIONAL RESEARCH ASSISTANT | UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO INSTITUTE FOR BEHAVIORAL GENETICS | 2012 - 2015
Responsible for determining genotypes for multiple mouse strains using PCR, gel electrophoresis, and molecular imaging techniques.
Continually managed, updated, troubleshooted, and resolved problems with a multi-lab animal database. Database management included an ongoing census within a pathogen specific animal facility. Animal inventories are used to cross reference against the animal database.
Gained experience in animal dissection to collect sperm and eggs for the cryogenic preservation of genetically unique mouse strains.
Became expert in cryostat operation for the sectioning and mounting of mouse brain tissue slices.
- Supervisor: Michael J. Marks Ph.D.
PROFESSIONAL RESEARCH ASSISTANT | UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER
Developed a novel social fear conditioning test modeling social aspect of anxiety.
Launched a novel optogenetic protocol and experimental design at the lab.
Pioneered chemogenetics at the University of Colorado Denver Downtown campus.
Operate precision equipment including micro dialysis sampling, optogenetic laser systems, and stereotaxic surgical frames.
Self-taught Med Associate operant behavior box functions using MedState computer code to control operant drug schedules and responding. This included data output collection and storage.
Learned the Python programming language to automate data analysis tasks and present findings graphically. Used Python to create programs for lab members to proof calculations and accelerate experimental output for non-technical users by development of graphical user interfaces.
Presented our laboratory findings at neuroscience conferences.
Co-authored publications in numerous peer reviewed scientific journals.
