• Created and evaluated yeast and bacterial biocatalysts for the biological production of industrial chemicals• Developed genetic tools for engineering yeast production strains (transformation protocols, chromosomal integrations and genetic parts assembly)• Evaluated growth and production characteristics of engineered strains • Engineered enzymes and performed in vivo and in vitro enzyme characterization • Interfaced with DNA synthesis technology companies

• Investigated unconventional myosins by genetic, cell biological and biochemical methods• Created gene constructs for transformation into Dictyostelium discoidium and verified expression by western blot analysis• Purified proteins using affinity chromatography and FPLC • Trained undergraduate students

Developmental Biology Intern • Investigated a Caenorhabditis elegans stem cell-like EMS mutant • Utilized fluorescence microscopy to visualize and record C. elegans cell divisions • Mapped single nucleotide polymorphisms and validated causative mutations by complementation assays• Presented results and authored scientific report of analyses in summary of researchMolecular Genetics Intern• Investigated necrosis-inducing like proteins in the obligate parasitic oomycete, Hyaloperonospora arabidopsis (Downy mildew)• Created chimeric gene constructs using SOE-PCR and analyzed in planta stability by western blot• Performed quantitative PCR (qPCR) for quantification of oomycete gene expression • Collected and presented scientific data as a scientific article

• Maintained eukaryotic cell lines for Ca2+ release assays and used fluorescence microscopy to visualize Ca2+ release in Sea urchin eggs • Assisted optimization of assay quantifying Calcium messengers• Prepared reagents and solutions and was responsible for general lab upkeep • Performed HPLC for purification of molecules