Shessy Torres Email & Phone Number

Melbourne, Australia

Provided essential support to the Human Rights Law Program's Fast Track division. This division works with clients that fall under the 'Fast Track' cohort of people who arrived in Australia by boat between August 2012 and December 2013. The primary focus of the position was to efficiently manage all administrative and logistic elements of the ASRC Fast Track process. Some of my achivements in this role are:- Development of effective administrative systems and workflow processes to efficiently co-ordinate the HRLP Fast Track service. - Supervision of a team of over 40 volunteer paralegals to provide support to the HRLP Fast Track service. - Liaison with our pro bono partner firms and over 90 pro-bono lawyers to provide legal assistance to our Fast Track clients.- Coordination of special weekend legal clinics implemented in response to the Australian Government October 1 2017 deadline for Fast Track clients.

Melbourne, Australia

Provided paralegal assistance to the Detention team of the Human Rights Law Program (HRLP). Most clients in Australian detention facilities are in highly vulnerable emotional states, given their past traumas and ongoing incarceration. I made use of the maturity gained in other areas of my life to successfully carry out and diffuse difficult interactions with our clients, whilst delivering and obtaining legal instructions in a professional manner. Some key responsibilities: - Liaise between senior solicitor and clients in detention facilities - Perform legal research - Draft legal memorandums of advice- Assist client’s understanding of legal advice provided

Melbourne, Australia

As a Research Assistant, I provided research support in vaccine development against Hepatitis C virus. This position required demonstrated experience in blood and tissue handling/processing, DNA/RNA extraction, and basic virology/molecular biology and cell culture techniques.

Brisbane, Australia

Australia has a highly competitive food industry for premium Italian made food products. I differentiated my sales approach by employing an educational style that highlighted the production method and family traditions to market Benfatti’s range in the Australian food industry. This was particularly helpful for products that were still quite new to the Australian market, such as truffles. As Key Account Manager for Benfatti, I oversaw the relationships of the company with its most important clients. I was responsible for obtaining and maintaining long-term key customers by identifying their needs and matching them with Benfatti’s product range. Some key responsibilities and achievements - Increase client conversion by using a non-aggressive educational sales approach. - Cultivate relationships with customer base in the food industry that resulted in continued long-term sales. - By being an active listener, I provided the owner with key points of feedback from customers. This helped the business repackage and market key product lines that would hold more appeal to customers and help boost sales.

Brisbane, Australia

As Research Assistant, I provided support to the RNA Virology Laboratory at the University of Queensland (UQ) School of Chemistry & Molecular Biosciences (SCMB). The primary purpose of the position was to provide laboratory-based research and management support for projects within the group. I performed research on the role of West Nile virus sfRNA on viral pathogenesis and evasion of the type I interferon response. As a senior member of the laboratory, I provided support in the supervision of students (BSc, MSc). Some key achievements include:- Identification and initial characterisation of a novel virus-derived miRNA. - Set-up of a new protocol for isolating proteins interacting with RNA. - Created several mutant viruses of the virulent West Nile virus strain that were used extensively in animal experiments to study the role of small flavivirus RNA in viral pathogenesis.Technical Skills: tissue culture (cell lines and primary mouse cells), virus culture and analysis of virus growth kinetics, DNA/RNA/protein isolation, RNA in vitro transcription, cloning, ELISA, Northern blotting amongst others; training in animal handling, PC3 laboratory and quarantine work.

Brisbane

I taught and demonstrated complex techniques and concepts relevant to the isolation, purification and characterization of animal and plant viruses to over 40 third year university students from varied cultural backgrounds. My approach to teaching was characterized by focusing on improving student's understanding on 'Why' rather than 'How'. This allowed students to understand the rationale behind each step used in a technique, which enable them to troubleshoot effectively. Some of the practical skills I taught as a tutor include tissue culture techniques and virus growth, as well as molecular aspects of the detection and study of viral genes and expressed proteins, and the application of virus vectors in cell biology and biotechnology.

Bachelor'S Degree, Biotechnology

Foundation Degree