RUCHELLE BUENAVENTURA

ac40y8@r.postjobfree.com c: 757-***-****

EDUCATION

American University, Washington, DC May 2019

Bachelor of Science: Neuroscience Minor: Communications

Certificate: College of Arts and Sciences Leadership and Ethical Development Program

HONORS AND AWARDS

2015 - 2019 College of Arts and Sciences Leadership and Ethical Development Program

2015 - 2019 American University Merit Scholarship

2015 - 2019 Bayside Lions Club Merit Scholarship

2016 American University Athletic Department Scholarship

2015 University College Collaborative Program

PRESENTATIONS

Sentara Receptionist Staff, Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital, Charlottesville, VA

“Implicit Bias,” July 2017

Camp Holiday Trails, Epilepsy Foundation of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

“Epilepsy First Aid,” June 2017

College of Arts & Sciences Leadership & Ethical Development Symposium, American University, Washington, DC

“The Neurological Power of Gratitude,” Spring 2017

St. Alban’s Wellness Center, Iona Senior Services, Washington, DC

“Freshman-Senior Mentorship,” April 2016

Theater as Protest, American University College of Arts and Sciences, Washington, DC

“Value of Brokenness: Vulnerability,” Short Film, Fall 2015

RESEARCH

Epilepsy Foundation of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, June 2016 – present

Research Investigator

• Designs, investigates, and conducts clinical memory trial for working-age epilepsy patients

• Conducts recruitment, cognitive testing, and weekly patient protocol

American University, Department of Neurobiology, Washington, DC, September 2016 – Present

Research Assistant

• Assists Dr. Saldanha in original research of neuroprotective hormone, aromatase, in traumatic brain injury

• Conducts western blotting techniques for protein analysis of zebra finch brain tissue

• Processes and analyzes the presence of aromatase in concussive brain tissue

American University, Department of Literature, Washington, DC, January 2016 – May 2016

Research Investigator

• Conducted social research about community service-learning for volunteers in elderly-aid

CLINICAL EXPERIENCE

Program Associate Epilepsy Foundation of Virginia Charlottesville, VA June 2016 – present

● Interacts with approx. 15 patients weekly through supportive assistance by phone, email, & social media, working on an epilepsy memory trial, maintaining social media presence, SUDEP Awareness facilitator, research investigator; created company website - www.epilepsyva.com

Student Volunteer Iona Senior Services Washington, DC March 2016 – present

● Assists the elderly wellness center with approx. 30 senior participants daily through interactive activities such as cultural and health dialogue and distributes meals; designed a program for seniors to share skills with college students in order to entice memory and social wellness

Emergency Room Volunteer Sentara Leigh Hospital Norfolk, VA June - August 2015

● Completed rounds for needed patient assistance, prepared rooms, distributed supplies to patients, assisted medical technicians and nurses for daily needs by running labs or clerical duties, assisted patients to rooms and wheelchair discharge

Pediatric Volunteer Pediatric Health Partners Portsmouth, VA August 2011 - August 2015

● Assisted with filing charts and data in an online medical information system, researched patient services, prepared clinic rooms for upcoming visits, facilitated conversation with families in waiting room area, shadowed family pediatrician

In-patient Pharmacy Intern Sentara Virginia Beach General Virginia Beach, VA February 2015

● Assisted with pharmaceutical services, shadowed in-patient pharmacists and out-patient pharmacists, Central Business District X Scholarship

Post-Orthopedic Surgery Volunteer Sentara Leigh Hospital Norfolk, VA June – August 2014

● Completed rounds for needed patient assistance, responded to patient calls and provided for patients directly, prepared rooms, assisted nurses with running labs, patient-supply dispersion, and wheelchair discharge

Special Needs Coach Epic Cheer and Dance Virginia Beach, VA June 2010 - September 2013

● Assisted skill development for disabled cheerleading team, facilitated team bonding, performed with exhibition competitions

LEADERSHIP AND ACTIVITIES

Advisory Board Co-Chair AU CAS Leadership & Ethical Development Program August 2015 - Present

● Suggests diverse topics such as implicit differences, race ambiguity, and personal awareness, to be discussed among the community to promote critical thinking and collaborative engagement; leads board programming

Secretary/VP Risk Management Phi Delta Epsilon International Medical Fraternity January 2016 - Present

● Works with collegiate members, executive officers, and local medical professionals, such as Children’s National Hospital, to develop skills for fellowship, service, mentoring, ethics, and the creation of “physicians of integrity”; manages risk management policies and enforcement

Staff Photographer AU Photo Collective January 2017- Present

• Staff photographer for various events, protests, and venues in the DC area

Cheerleader AU Cheerleading Team August 2015 - May 2016

● Practiced 12 hours per week, cheered at events 6 hours per week, participated in appearances, games, and competitions several times per month, ambassador for American University Sprit Program

SKILLS

Computer Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, One Note, Access and Publisher Website Design: Squarespace software The Neuron: Scientific Program Photoshop

Research Western Blotting qPCR Column Chromatography Dissection ADCS-Mild Cognitive Impairment, ADL

Social Media Blogs, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Film Editing, Photography

Certifications Laboratory Safety National Professional Certification by National Retail Foundation: Customer Service, Words per Minute Certification: 80 average, Election Page Certification: City of Virginia Beach

Languages English (native proficiency), Tagalog (native proficiency), French (limited working proficiency)

HOBBIES, INTERESTS, AND ACTIVITIES

Photography, public speaking, intergroup dialogues, graphic design, piano, spoken word, visual arts, cultural events, commercial acting, sexual assault prevention activism, cooking, travel

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