Nicholas Villa Email & Phone Number

San Diego, California, United States

Collaborating on a team to promote Oncology Research and Diagnostics via Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Assay Development though FDA and CE-IVDD/IVDR clearances to make these IVD technologies available to a more widespread clinical environment for future applications in Oncology diagnostics and potential treatment options.

San Diego, California, United States

Riverside, California, United States

I was privileged with a research position through the USDA at UCR. In this research position, I began by learning greenhouse maintenance for BSL-2 designated viral trees and maintenance of the Givaudan Citrus Variety Collection which were used for research and viral RNA analysis. I was quickly promoted to part-time greenhouse and part-time lab assistant. As a lab assistant, I routinely carried out protocols chopping and organization of potentially infected plant matter that I later prepared for qPCR analysis for viral RNA markers. In these protocols, I was credited in Amanda Rawstern's paper on "Using Tissue Print Blotting Based qPCR for Detection of Viroids in Citrus Germplasm" (2020) under the supervision of Dr. Mary Lou Polek's laboratory. I began learning in-vitro fertilization of the citrus collection backups which were then used for shoot-tip grafting of citrus trees. I also assisted in monitoring the yearly Biological Index analysis of trees to be released from quarantine greenhouses. I was also a part of the team in charge of carrying out an annual analysis of dog-marked trees for potential HLB contamination in which we systematically collected samples from these designated plants and carried out RNA extraction for qPCR and Real Time PCR analysis. Towards the end of my studies I helped lead and design the yearly ELISA verification of nearly 700 clean collection trees and followed these samples from collection to validation and report submission.

Temecula, California, United States

Barbacking at Baily's Nightclub in Temecula. Learned to work fast and efficiently while being flexible to a variety of situations and tasks that arose throughout the night. Responsibilities included bussing dishes, pouring drinks, maintaining the bar (set up/takedown), stocking shelves, and changing kegs.

Irvine, California, United States

Worked as a Lot Hand for a Pumpkin Patch and Tree Farm in Irvine where I managed a group of 12 men and rotated them through breaks and lunches and jobs around the lot. Learned cashiering, water, electrical, and plumbing work along with manual labor and a good work ethic.

Bioengineering

Ib Diploma