Experience

FfAME - Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution

• United States
• Biotechnology Research
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Research Technician

  • Oct 2022 - Present

  Alachua County, Florida, United States • Assist in the development of aptamers for biomedical targets by utilizing artificially expanded and evolvable nucleic acids



Greenwood Gardens

• Travel Arrangements
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Horticulturist (seasonal)

  • Jun 2022 - Sep 2022

  Short Hills, New Jersey, United States • Worked with a small team of horticulturists to embellish and maintain a 28-acre public garden



Kaycha Labs

• United States
• Biotechnology Research
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Analyst

  • Oct 2019 - Apr 2020

  Gainesville, Florida, United States • Operated and vetted (PathogenDX) endpoint PCR-microarray assays for the detection/ quantitation of fungal and bacterial microbes in hemp based samples • Trained and positioned as an auxiliary analyst for terpene extraction and quantitation using GCMS methods



University of Florida

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Graduate Research Assistant

  • Sep 2015 - Dec 2018

  Gainesville, Florida • Operated in the Plant Biotechnology lab, while collaborating with the Blueberry Breeding program • Performed analytical chemistry methods (GCMS, LCMS) to characterize blueberry metabolites (sugars and volatile compounds) • Consolidated, fortified, and helped analyze six years of blueberry sensory and biochemistry data • Planned and initiated projects to elucidate the genetic control of flesh color (anthocyanins) in deerberry (Vaccinium stamineum) using QTL and RNA-seq type… Show more • Operated in the Plant Biotechnology lab, while collaborating with the Blueberry Breeding program • Performed analytical chemistry methods (GCMS, LCMS) to characterize blueberry metabolites (sugars and volatile compounds) • Consolidated, fortified, and helped analyze six years of blueberry sensory and biochemistry data • Planned and initiated projects to elucidate the genetic control of flesh color (anthocyanins) in deerberry (Vaccinium stamineum) using QTL and RNA-seq type experiments • Assisted with routine breeding and horticulture maintenance tasks for the blueberry breeding program • Trained on auxiliary projects, such as running GWAS analysis on flavor associated compounds in tomato, and developing LCMS methods for phenolic quantitation in petunia • Fulfilled all required coursework and passed qualifying exams Show less



FMC Corporation

• United States
• Chemical Manufacturing
• 700 & Above Employee

• Microbiologist

  • May 2015 - Aug 2015

  Ewing, NJ • Maintained fungal and bacterial cultures – plant pathogens and biological control agents • Prepared cultures for in-vitro and in-vivo (greenhouse) assays and assisted in testing the efficacy of new treatments • Rated and quantified pathogen infection and disease state of plants in experimental tests • Isolated plant pathogens from plant tissue



Chromocell Corporation

• United States
• Biotechnology Research
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Core Technology Lab Assistant

  • May 2013 - Apr 2015

  North Brunswick, NJ • Initiated and developed plant tissue culture methods for Stevia rebaudiana; point person for plant propagation, protoplast isolation, regeneration, and evaluation • Helped advance Chromocell’s core-technology from mammalian cells to plant cells with a small team of scientists • Received basic training in flow cytometry and microscopy

• Cell Culture Core Lab Assistant

  • Jan 2011 - Jun 2013

  • Worked in a team environment to carry out laboratory maintenance, mammalian cell culture passages, assay-plating, and cryostorage



Rutgers University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• NSF Biotechnology Scholars Fellow

  • May 2012 - Aug 2012

  New Brunswick, New Jersey • Studied under Dr. Kerkhof for the summer module of the NSF Biotechnology Scholars program • Used stable isotope probing, PCR tools, and TRFLP to help determine active bacteria and archaea species in marine and terrestrial samples



Rutgers University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Work Study position in Plant Pathology and Biology Dept.

  • Sep 2010 - Dec 2011

  • Prepared solutions and medias, set up laboratory for upper level biotechnology courses • Validated performance by carrying out laboratory experiments; performed PCR, RT-qPCR, gel electrophoresis, DNA, RNA, and miniprep plasmid extractions, and microbial cell culture