Experience

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Research Associate - Biocurator

  • Feb 2018 - Present



Duke University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Graduate Student Researcher

  • Sep 2011 - Sep 2016

  I studied the epigenetic inheritance of the human centromere, an essential chromosomal locus. Specifically, I investigated cell cycle dependent dynamics of the histone variant CENP-A, which epigenetically defines the site of a centromere. My work has revealed the manner in which CENP-A is loaded and dispersed each cell cycle, as chromosomes undergo replication, condensation, and segregation. I studied the epigenetic inheritance of the human centromere, an essential chromosomal locus. Specifically, I investigated cell cycle dependent dynamics of the histone variant CENP-A, which epigenetically defines the site of a centromere. My work has revealed the manner in which CENP-A is loaded and dispersed each cell cycle, as chromosomes undergo replication, condensation, and segregation.



Pfizer

• United States
• Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
• 700 & Above Employee

• Co-op Microbiologist/Biochemist

  • Jun 2010 - Jul 2011

  As a member of the bioprocess development group, I designed and performed experiments to optimize bacterial and fungal fermentation processes for the production of microbial-derived pharmaceutical ingredients. I generated recombinant E. coli for use in biopharmaceutical production and processed fermentation samples to monitor growth and yield. As a member of the bioprocess development group, I designed and performed experiments to optimize bacterial and fungal fermentation processes for the production of microbial-derived pharmaceutical ingredients. I generated recombinant E. coli for use in biopharmaceutical production and processed fermentation samples to monitor growth and yield.



Michigan State University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Undergraduate Research Assistant

  • Sep 2009 - Jun 2010

  In the laboratory of Dr. Ian Dworkin, I utilized Drosophila melanogaster to study epistatic interactions through the investigation of the inheritance pattern of wing vein lengths in multiple genetic backgrounds. I further assisted laboratory personnel in molecular techniques for genotyping and cloning.

• Undergraduate Teaching Assistant

  • Aug 2008 - Sep 2009

  I served as a teaching assistant in the departments of Biochemistry and Computer Science. In Computer Science, I provided instruction to students learning basic web design, MS Word, MS Access, and advanced MS Excel skills. Additionally, I graded exams and participated in weekly course materials development meetings. In Biochemistry, I led review sessions to prepare students for exams, in which I reviewed material and guided students in problem solving exercises to facilitate mastery of… Show more I served as a teaching assistant in the departments of Biochemistry and Computer Science. In Computer Science, I provided instruction to students learning basic web design, MS Word, MS Access, and advanced MS Excel skills. Additionally, I graded exams and participated in weekly course materials development meetings. In Biochemistry, I led review sessions to prepare students for exams, in which I reviewed material and guided students in problem solving exercises to facilitate mastery of biochemistry concepts. I further created problem sets and assisted in the development and assessment of exams.

• OsteoCHAMPS Instructor

  • Jun 2009 - Jul 2009

  As the research advisor, I guided a classroom of high school juniors in a research project and presentation designed to encourage, prepare for, and foster interest in health careers.



Far From Standard Comprehensive Tutorial Services

• East Lansing and Ann Arbor, MI

• Biological Sciences Tutor

  • May 2009 - May 2010

  Expanding from course materials, I identified and modified resources to increase students' understanding of genetic and microbiology concepts. I taught problem-solving strategies to assist students in mastering topics, completing assignments, and preparing for exams. Expanding from course materials, I identified and modified resources to increase students' understanding of genetic and microbiology concepts. I taught problem-solving strategies to assist students in mastering topics, completing assignments, and preparing for exams.



Van Andel Institute

• United States
• Research
• 300 - 400 Employee

• Research Intern

  • May 2008 - Jul 2008

  In the laboratory of transcriptional regulation, led by Dr. Steven Triezenberg, I completed an independent project investigating HSV-1 transcriptional activator, VP16. I utilized site-directed mutagenesis and in-vivo luciferase assays to assess the dependency of VP16 transcriptional activation capabilities on lysine ubiquitination. In the laboratory of transcriptional regulation, led by Dr. Steven Triezenberg, I completed an independent project investigating HSV-1 transcriptional activator, VP16. I utilized site-directed mutagenesis and in-vivo luciferase assays to assess the dependency of VP16 transcriptional activation capabilities on lysine ubiquitination.



Michigan State University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Undergraduate Research Assistant

  • Dec 2005 - Aug 2007

  At the MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratories I investigated cold acclimation in Arabidopsis thaliana in the laboratory of Dr. Michael Thomashow. I assisted in a luciferase screening of transformed lines to quantify cold induced gene expression under the control of promoters from cold-regulated genes, and deletion constructs thereof, containing DNA regulatory elements of interest. At the MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratories I investigated cold acclimation in Arabidopsis thaliana in the laboratory of Dr. Michael Thomashow. I assisted in a luciferase screening of transformed lines to quantify cold induced gene expression under the control of promoters from cold-regulated genes, and deletion constructs thereof, containing DNA regulatory elements of interest.