University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez

Objective

- To obtain a graduate student position.

Highlights of Qualification

- Highly inquisitive, creative and resourceful.

- Excellent skills in communication and collaboration.

- Excited by the challenge of science and experimentation.

- Fluent in English and Spanish.

Education

08/03 – 05/08 Credits toward Bachelors of Science Mayagüez, PR
[BCC5]

Industrial Biotechnology

University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez

Overall GPA: 3.82 Major GPA: 4.00

Expected graduation date: May 2008

Publication

Christensen, BC, Godleski, JJ, Marsit CM, Houseman, EA, Lopez-Fagundo,

CY, Longacker, J, Bueno, R, Sugarbaker, DJ, Nelson, HH, Kelsey, KT.

“Asbestos exposure predicts cell cycle control gene promoter methylation in

pleural mesothelioma.” (Submitted to Carcinogenesis).

Experience

08/07 – present Abbott Biotechnology, LTD. Barceloneta, PR

John Ponzo, Ph.D.

Practicum in Biotechnology

Working in the laboratory of Technical Operations, I am performing experiments in order to optimize and scale up the production of Humira, a monoclonal antibody. My specific projects include: characterization of precipitates generated at the downstream process and chromatography resin lifetime.

06/07 – 08/07 University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, CA

Department of Bioengineering, Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering Laboratory

Song Li, Ph.D.

2007 Amgen Scholars Summer Research Program

“Differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) into smooth muscle cells by the notch signaling pathway[BCC1]”

01/07 – 05/07 University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Mayagüez, PR

Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Biotechnology Laboratory

Zarixia Zavala Ruiz, Ph.D.

Undergraduate Research

“Structural Model of the Peptide-free form of the Human Class II MHC protein, HLA-DR1[BCC2]”

06/06 – 08/06 Harvard University, School of Public Health Boston, MA

Department of Genetics and Complex Diseases

Karl Kelsey, M.D., M.O.H.

Summer Internship Program

“Epigenetic Silencing of Tumor Suppressor Genes in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma, MPM” (ABRCMS, 200#)

08/05 – 12/06 University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Mayagüez, PR

Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry Laboratory

Undergraduate Research

“Expression and Purification of Human Centrin I (HcenI) for its crystallization[BCC3]”

08/05 – 12/05 University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Mayagüez, PR

Industry Applied Chemical Engineering Project

Balance of Mass and Energy Course

Analysis and optimization of a chemical engineering based process from industry. Optimization included: mass balance, energy balance, product improvement, financial, health and safety analysis.

Laboratory Skills

- Aseptic Techniques - Manipulation of Bacterial Cultures

- Cell Transformation - Stem Cell Culture

- Fermentation - Protein Expression

- Column purification - SDS- Page

- Western Blot - ELISA

- Electrophoresis - DNA Extraction and Modification

- Site Directed Mutagenesis - PCR

- Microscopy - Immunofluorescent Staining
[BCC4]

Courses in Science and Engineering

- Biology I, II - Chemistry I, II -Analytical Chemistry

- Organic Chemistry - Genetics - Physics I,II

- Microbiology - Biochemistry I, II - Physical Chemistry I, II

- Industrial Microbiology - Microbial Physiology - Biochemistry Lab I

- Unit Operations III - Unit Operations Lab III - Thermodynamics I, II

- Math Topics in Chem. Eng. - Algorithms and Computer Prog.
[BCC5]

Academic Distinctions and Awards

08/06 – present - MARC (Minority Access to Research Careers) Pre-doctoral Fellow

08/03 – present - Puerto Rico’s Industrial Manufacturers Association Scholarship Award

08/03 – 08/06 - Robert C. Byrd Scholarship Award

08/03 - Principal’s Leadership Award (National)

Academic Organizations

12/04 - present - SHPE (Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers)

12/03 – present - Association of Industrial Biotechnology Students UPR- RUM

Conferences Attended

11/06 - ABRCMS (Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students)

11/07 - ABRCMS (Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students)

References

Available upon request.