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Work Background
RTI InternationalPostdoctoral Microbiologist
Jun. 2024Durham, North Carolina, United States
curiousSCIENCEwritersInaugural Educator Fellow
Jun. 2023 - Jul. 2023Cary, North Carolina, United StatesCurious Science Writers (CSW) seeks to advance the art of science communication by training curious and creative high school communicators to bring complex science to the general public through the power of story. The primary aim of the CSW Educator Fellowship is to increase the effectiveness of the CSW experience by ensuring the program format, materials and activities optimally engage and educate high school students. As the Inaugural Educator Fellow, I worked with program faculty, guest speakers and students to help participants build effective, lifelong, science communication skills. I facilitated an engaging environment, particularly during the CSW Boot Camp, a week each summer where high schoolers combine narrative elements to effectively convey the exciting benefits of science to the public.
North Carolina School of Science and MathematicsInstructor of Biology
Aug. 2022 - Jun. 2024Durham, North Carolina, United StatesResponsibilities: Develop and conduct high-level molecular genetics, cellular & molecular biology, and evolution courses for high school juniors and seniors; mentor and submit recommendations for upwards of 10 students a semester; participate in professional development 12 hours annually including Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity training and online tools training (such as Canvas, Canva, and Lucid); contribute to NCSSM service activities such as hosting student Service-Learning presentations, presenting short courses for Online Enrichment Weekends, and judging for multiple science fairs; participate in the hiring committee for the Biology Department.
US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)Environmental Microbiologist
Nov. 2021 - Jul. 2022Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill AreaMy responsibilities included: analyzing quantitative data to investigate presence of aquatic, bacterial and viral emerging pathogens, utilizing qPCR to process samples for identification of emerging pathogens in Puerto Rico and the Gulf of Mexico, and laboratory management (oversee lab activity and collaborations, mentorship, orders, general maintenance, etc.).
FishRoomCurator of Aquatic Livestock
Apr. 2021 - Sep. 2021Raleigh, North Carolina, United StatesAt this specialty aquarium retailer, I perform several duties which include curating freshwater fish & invertebrates, freshwater plants, and saltwater fish & invertebrates (including coral). I utilize my knowledge of the store's robust inventory to assist customers in building or maintaining their aquaria, troubleshooting mechanical issues, troubleshooting animal behavioral issues (such as identifying disease and compatibility), and recommending changes in husbandry techniques, quarantine protocols, and the diversity of aquarium ecosystems. I also test several water quality parameters from customer water samples (both fresh and saltwater), including salinity, pH, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, phosphate, general hardness, calcium, magnesium, and more. Within the store, I collect and record data on husbandry (i.e. inventory), maintain life support systems (i.e. refilling sumps, identifying mechanical issues, large water changes), monitor the water quality of more than 30 individual tanks, and monitor the health of our exotic aquarium livestock (i.e. identifying disease, treating disease, and resolving behavioral issues). In addition, I also prepare and maintain live food cultures and feed freshwater & saltwater fish, invertebrates, coral, and live plants. Lastly, this job has enhanced my ability to perform physically demanding activities including lifting over 60 pounds, climbing stairs and ladders, working in tight spaces while operating specialized equipment, and standing for extended periods of time.
Oakwood Cultural CenterDirector of Marketing & Communication
Jan. 2021 - Sep. 2021Raleigh, North Carolina, United StatesOakwood Cultural Center is dedicated to “inspiring women to strive for excellence in their daily lives” through personal and professional development. Oakwood provides opportunities for women to discover their potential to build strong families, make a positive impact in their communities, and achieve their professional best. Our activities offer a positive learning experiences for women at every life stage, and focus on human, cultural, intellectual, and professional aspects of each individual. My responsibilities as the Director of Marketing & Communication include maintenance of communications and activity marketing through Squarespace website, manage communications to large groups (approx. 100) about activities and events, host and supervise seminars for both K-12 and adults through Zoom, planning and programming large events, and non-profit organization development.
National Science Foundation (NSF)Postdoctoral Researcher Felow in Biology (PRFB)
Jul. 2020 - Mar. 2021Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United StatesAs a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Karl Castillo's & Dr. Verena Schoepf's labs, I study the intersection between the physical reef environment, temperate/tropical corals, and the coral microbiome. As the senior researcher of the lab, I implemented approved changes to laboratory protocols and supervised 3 graduate students, 6 undergraduates, and 1 high-schooler in their research projects. I also led laboratory meetings, updated sample collection/processing/analysis protocols, created and maintained a lab calendar, and transitioned our lab to a virtual platform in leu of the pandemic. This transition included scheduling lab members and volunteers for shifts in three separate laboratories to adhere to COVID-19 department protocols.
iBiologyiBiology Young Scientist Seminar Finalist
Apr. 2019 - Apr. 2019San Francisco, California, United StatesCompleted extensive science communication training at iBiology in partnership with the Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation and the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science. The 5-day workshop included science communication/writing/presentation classes and the opportunity to record a research talks in a green screen studio. These talks are posted online as part of the Young Scientist Seminars, a video series showcasing the work of early-career scientists.
SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND EDUCATION NETWORKBoard of Directors Member
Dec. 2015 - Aug. 2022Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United StatesI initiated the Scientific Research and Education Network (SciREN) in Georgia to improve the local community scientific literacy. I have hosted eight successful annual events that have brought together undergraduate and graduate researchers from six different UGA departments, five NGOs, and 100+ K-12 educators from several counties in Georgia. I was also invited to the SciREN Board of Directors (in SciREN’s home at UNC Chapel Hill). SciREN runs on two annual events (one of which has been hosted at the NC Museum of Natural Science) and an online platform. The first annual event is the Lesson Planning Workshop where researchers translate their research projects into K-12 curriculum-based lesson plans. At the second annual event, the Networking Event, K-12 educators browse lesson plans demonstrated by the researchers. Our online platform provides a portal to all educators and researchers where they can download and browse lesson planning materials.
University of Georgia (UGA) Graduate SchoolPh.D. Candidate & NSF GRFP Fellow in the Lipp Lab
Aug. 2015 - Jul. 2020Athens, GeorgiaFrom coral disease to Saharan dust, I studied the impacts of biotic and abiotic stressors on the microbial communities of stony corals and reef water in the Florida Keys. Primary Advisor: Dr. Erin Lipp. Committee: Drs. James Porter, Samantha Joye, Travis Glenn, and Liz Ottesen. My Ph.D. experience included 5 years of both in-field (through SCUBA) and in-lab environmental and coral sample collection, processing, and analysis. Primary methods included: 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing (DNA extraction, PCR, MiSeq sequencing, bioinformatics using R). I also supervised PhD, Masters, and Undergraduate projects by improving experimental designs, developing sample processing protocols, and teaching R bioinformatics analysis. I extended my research knowledge by working on a project to identify the influence of sewage treatment plant effluent on local estuary bacterial communities and determining the influence of Salmonella bacteria on the microbiome of poultry litter. My educational/teaching training includes the American Society of Microbiology (ASM) Science Teaching Fellowship Program (six weeks) and Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL) courses such as “Getting Ready to Teach in the American Classroom” (workshop) and “Evidence-Based Undergraduate STEM Teaching” (eight weeks). I have guest lectured in several Environmental Health Science undergraduate courses and taught the lab sections of EHSC4310 Environmental Microbiology.
Duke UniversityResearch Diving Technician
May. 2015 - Aug. 2015Key Largo, Florida
University of North Carolina at Chapel HillLab Technician Assistant in Stephanie Gupton Lab
Aug. 2014 - May. 2015Department of Cell Biology & Physiology
NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric AdministrationHollings Fellow & Southeast Fisheries Science Center Intern
May. 2014 - Aug. 2014Key Biscayne, Florida, United States
UNC Institute of Marine ScienceUndergraduate Researcher in Rachel T. Noble Lab
Aug. 2013 - Jul. 2014Morehead City, NC
University of North Carolina at Chapel HillUndergraduate Researcher in Justin B. Ries Lab
Jun. 2013 - Sep. 2014Department of Marine Science
University of North Carolina at Chapel HillIDEA Research Assistant in Justin B. Ries Lab
Aug. 2012 - May. 2013Department of Marine Science
Youth Leadership FoundationProgram for Academic & Leadership Skills (PALS) Character Advisor and Mentor
Jun. 2012 - Aug. 2012Washington DC
SASOnline Strategy & Services Administrative Support Intern
May. 2012 - Aug. 2012Cary, NC
University of North Carolina at Chapel HillSaltwater Lab Assistant in Justin B. Ries Lab
Jan. 2012 - May. 2012
SASOnline Strategy & Services Technical Intern
May. 2010 - Jul. 2011Cary, NC
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