• Utilized coding and bioinformatic pipelines to conduct genomic selection and genome-wide association studies on high-throughput DNA sequence data.• Evaluated genetic diversity and inbreeding of selectively bred hatchery lines of C. virginica using microsatellite loci and 60K SNP array. • Utilization of quantitative genetics and marker-assisted selection for improved growth performance of bay scallops, Argopecten irradians, on commercial shellfish farms in NC.• DNA sequencing and genetic analysis of population structure among North Carolina oyster populations.• Perform qPCR for continuous monitoring of oyster diseases in Masonboro Sound, NC and on UNCW Shellfish Research Hatchery Aquaculture Demonstration Lease.

• Technical Territory manager (complaints, data delivery, sales, trending, quality) for GENEWIZ ‘s Seattle and San Francisco laboratories.• Designed in-depth troubleshooting strategies for clients of our Genetic Analysis services.•Proactively monitored key accounts.•Performed in-depth communication for customized troubleshooting with clients via email, phone and face-to-face.• Developed quality trending metrics and established systems for team members to maintain.• Created and coordinated interdepartmental projects.• Mentored new and current team members.

Developed and implemented new laboratory protocols for undergraduate Introduction to Organisms, Ecology, and Evolution and Introduction to Molecules, Cells, and Development laboratory courses of 350-400 students per semester.Supervised and trained eight graduate teaching assistants to teach 16 introductory biology laboratory sections of 24 undergraduate students per semester.Collaborated with multiple faculty members to coordinate laboratory protocols with teaching efforts in introductory biology lecture courses. Taught two introductory biology discussion sections of 150-200 students per semester. Presented lectures, wrote and graded exams.

Prepared and led hands-on science activities on the five senses for 20 rising 8th graders at 2-week residential summer camp.Trained and supervised six teaching assistants in leading science-based activities.

Analyzed Illumina and 454 Next Generation Sequences (NGS) on Duke Shared Cluster Resource running Linux operating system for de novo genome assembly of the scuttle fly, Megaselia scalaris. Assembled sequences with Velvet and SOAPdenovo genome assemblers. Programmed PERL scripts to compare recombination maps with genome sequences among four Drosophila species to evaluate association between recombination rate and codon usage bias. Published results in Drosophila Information Service.Utilized PERL scripts to identify microsatellites from M. scalaris NGS. Designed and tested microsatellite markers for population genetics studies. Supervised and mentored undergraduate student in designing and testing PCR primers from male M. scalaris NGS to identify male sex determining region. Varney, RL, and MAF Noor. 2011. Inconsistent associations between recombination rate and codon bias across Drosophila species. Drosophila Information Service 94: 5-9.Varney, R. L., and M. A. F. Noor. 2010. Quick guide: The scuttle fly. Current Biology, 20: R466-R467 doi:10.1016/j.cub.2010.03.043.

Conducted PCR and DNA sequencing of nuclear loci in Crassostrea virginica oysters collected from Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. Assessed genetic variation among natural populations utilizing DNA analysis software packages, including Sequencher, Vector NTI, BioEdit, Oligo, ARLEQUIN, GenAlEx, Phase, DnaSP, DNASTAR programs.Developed set of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in nuclear loci for use as genetic markers in high-throughput SNP genotyping. Presented results at National Shellfisheries Association annual meetings.Performed high-throughput SNP genotyping by Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism, Amplifluor SNPs genotyping system, and single base extension on C. virginica oysters from Atlantic and Gulf Coasts to elucidate population structure throughout the species range. Collaborated with international researchers to publish comprehensive analysis of genetic variation of C. virginica in Gulf of Mexico in Journal of Shellfish Research.Teaching assistant for Introduction to the Oceans undergraduate lecture course.Varney, R. L., C. Galindo-Sanchez, P. Cruz, and P.M. Gaffney. 2009. Population genetics of the Eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin, 1791) in the Gulf of Mexico. Journal of Shellfish Research 28(4): 855-864 doi:10.2983/035.028.0415.Varney, R. L. and P.M. Gaffney. 2008. Assessment of population structure in Crassostrea virginica throughout the species range using single nucleotide polymorphisms. Journal of Shellfish Research 27(4): 1058.

Conducted PCR, DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis on two regions of mitochondrial genome in Mytilus spp. mussels collected from northern and southern hemisphere to assess introduction from the northern hemisphere and migration patterns throughout the southern hemisphere. Presented results at Benthic Ecology Meeting.Supervised and mentored undergraduate student in summer research project on DNA sequencing and analysis of Mytilus spp. Taught laboratory sections of 20 students in undergraduate courses in Marine Science.

Conducted research on protein kinase signaling pathways in Department of Pharmacology.Performed experiments utilizing Western Blotting and phosphorylation reaction assays.Maintained tissue cultures, ordered laboratory supplies and equipment, conducted general laboratory management duties.Collins MA, Varney RL, and L. Graves. 2002. Activation of Raf by an N-terminal specific antibody. FASEB Journal. 16(4). A581.

Conducted experiments with germ free and specific pathogen free rats in The Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease.Maintained growth of bacteria and cell cultures, performed various molecular biology techniques including DNA extraction, PCR, Southern Blotting.Helped develop Fluorescent In-situ Hybridization technique for human intestinal bacteria associated with Crohn’s Disease.Dieleman LA, Goerres MS, Arends A, Sprengers D, Varney RL, Harmsen HJ, Sartor RB. 2000. Lactobacillus GG prevents recurrence of colitis in HLA-B37 transgenic rats after antibiotic treatment. Gastroenterology. 118(4). A814.

Worked in clinical laboratory Microbiology Department.Read cultures, received and cultured specimens, performed Mycobacterial and serological tests, phoned abnormal results to physicians.