Research assistant in the Mace Laboratory currently developing diagnostics for point-of-care applications. My main projects include validating cellulosic and other porous materials to be implemented into sampling cards to (i) determine patient white blood cell counts and to (ii) obtain blood samples from malaria-infected patients for downstream analysis and sequencing to monitor mutations.

Teaching assistant for(Fall ‘20) CHEM 43: Bioanalytical Chemistry(Spring ‘21) CHEM 06: From Big Bang to Humankind

Research Scientist and Bio Safety Officer

I conducted high-throughput measurements of insulin secretion from single islets of Langerhans under Dr. Michael Roper using imaging fluorescence anisotropy immunoassays. This project involves designing a system that interfaces an optical system with a detection system which allows samples on a microfluidic device to be detected via two photomultiplier tubes. My second project involves using a microfluidic chip as a means of sorting Drosophila melanogaster eggs based on various qualities for use in genetic studies. My third project involves designing/applying quake valves to a microfluidic device in our lab to be used for future projects.

As a teaching assistant for the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, I have taught Biochemistry I & II as well as General Chemistry I. My responsibilities for the biochemistry courses included holding weekly office hours, grading exams and aiding students in answering homework questions. In Spring 2018, I was the Head Teaching Assistant for the Biochemistry classes. As a Gen Chem TA, my responsibilities included prepping and teaching labs weekly (20 students), updating older labs to reflect new interests, grading lab reports and other assignments while promoting laboratory safety.

I worked under Dr. Michelle Kovarik looking at how peptide substrate reporters can report on degradation and phosphorylation activity in D. discoideum. Specifically, we are looking at D. dicsoideum's PKB pathway, which is homologous to the human Akt pathway in cancer cells. Relating our research to human health, the PKB pathway in D. discoideum which results in cell aggregation under stress can be used to model the Akt pathway which results in proliferation of cancer cells under stressful conditions. I also spent two summers with Dr. Kovarik, continuing research done throughout the Fall and Spring semesters.

As a student supervisor in the athletic department at Trinity, I hold positions at the welcome desk of the athletic center, where I have direct interaction with all people visiting the building, and I also work game day operations for all athletic teams on campus. My job entails coordinating the other students working the games as well as being a person my boss can rely on to ensure everything is operating smoothly. I have developed my teamwork, communication and crisis management skills as student supervisor.

As a teaching assistant for the 2015-2016 school year, I spent the fall semester teaching Analytical Chemistry laboratory. This responsibility required me to be knowledgable about instrumentation including HPLC, GCMS, and CE as well as prep weekly labs, grade reports/assignments and hold weekly help sessions. During the spring semester, I was the teaching assistant for a non-majors chemistry course entitled Chemistry: Science for All Seasons. This course was taken by students who needed to fulfill their science requirements and required me to talk about science on the most basic level to help students understand the importance of chemistry. I prepped weekly labs, held weekly office hours and graded student assignments.