Experience

Pendulum Therapeutics

• United States
• Biotechnology
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Research Associate

  • Nov 2016 - Present



University of California, Santa Cruz

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Junior Research Specialist

  • Jun 2015 - Present

  Principal Investigator: Chad Saltikov, PhDDepartment of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology•Developed Illumina MiSeq next-generation-sequencing (NGS) protocols for investigating microbial ecology of groundwater sediments and extreme environments.•Performed DNA barcoding, library preparation, and data analysis/data quality control on PCR amplicons for 16S rRNA metagenomic studies and arsenic oxidase/reductase functional gene analyses.•Developed and optimized environmental DNA extraction and purification protocols and PCR amplification processes.•Managed essential lab functions including chemical inventory, ordering, organization, hazardous waste disposal, and equipment calibration.•Trained new students and employees.•Continued responsibilities gained as an undergraduate research assistant.

• Undergraduate Research Assistant

  • Mar 2014 - Jun 2016

  Principal Investigator: Chad Saltikov, PhDDepartment of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology•Collected aseptic water, sediment and biofilm samples from arsenic-rich lakes and hot springs as well as groundwater recharge sites.•Developed nested PCR methods for arsenate respiratory reductase gene (arrA).•Optimized growth media for anaerobic, photosynthetic bacteria to grow in lab conditions.•Cloned environmental DNA amplicons and executed purification and RFLP for Sanger sequencing.•Maintained anaerobic chamber and internal instruments.•Prepared and analyzed data for presentations.