Prepared microbiological media and chemical reagents as needed by faculty and staff, performed daily quality control of all lab equipment and prepared media, prepared various labs in the biology department including bacteriology, microbiology, general biology and honors biology, prepared chemical and supply inventories for biological sciences support facility, performed general lab maintenance activities such as cleaning, and sterilized media, chemicals, and equipment for faculty and staff.

Assisted autistic and/or severely emotionally disturbed students with their schoolwork and monitored progress towards completion of individualized education program goals.

Planned, executed, documented, and reported results of experiments with different human tissue-based sponge formulations. Performed experiments to optimize sponge handling and demineralized bone matrix carrier characteristics, and determined sponge suitability as a scaffold for new bone formation using C2C12 murine myoblast cells. Determined candidate gamma-irradiation protectants using in vitro cytotoxicity assays involving alamar blue. Tested DBM for new bone growth potential via alkaline phosphatase assays and BCA. Received training in aseptic technique as it applies to cell culture and eukaryotic cell culture methods.

Assisted autistic and/or severely emotionally disturbed students with their schoolwork and monitored progress towards completion of individualized education program goals.

Responsibilities included pre-lab lecturing, writing quizzes, maintaining records of student grades on Blackboard, and assisting students with lecture material as needed.

Responsibilities included lecture preparation, writing quizzes, maintaining records of student grades on Blackboard, writing all exams, writing the comprehensive final, and maintaining regular office hours to assist students. Research Assistant, May 2004 and 2005 to August 2004 and 2005

Performed initial review of all animal protocols at ODU for completion of relevant sections, spell-checking, etc. Distributed protocols to members of the IACUC committee and managed communication between reviewers and principle investigators, maintained accurate records of all animal protocols performed at ODU for periodic FDA inspection, and notified principle investigators of protocol expiration dates.

PCR, cloned, and transformed defensin gene into E. coli. Transformants were screened using PCR and DNA sequence analysis to determine presence and integrity of the defensin insert. Purified recombinant defensin DNA was cloned and transformed into an E. coli expression vector and peptide production was induced using IPTG. Nickel affinity chromatography was used to isolate defensin. SDS-PAGE and Western blotting were performed to confirm the isolation of the recombinant defensin peptide

Responsible for extracting DNA for RT-PCR analysis from local and regional water samples as part of monitoring efforts for Pfiesteria piscicida and Pfiesteria shumwayae.