Azra Suko

**** ***** *** **. ********, WA *****. 425-***-****. acefrh@r.postjobfree.com

OBJECTIVES

To obtain a Fermentation Scientist position in San Diego to be performing the independent

execution of activities for table top fermentations technology transfer and scale-up in order to

optimize bioconversion process of renewable sugars into biofuels and biochemicals.

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

Expertise in yeast fermentation of five and six carbon sugars into biofuels and biochemicals.

Managing undergraduate and graduate students, assisting PIs on projects. Research experience

with bioconversion of biomass into fuels (via steam pretreatment, enzymatic hydrolysis and

fermentation). Great understanding of the effect of fermentation inhibitors on biofuels and

biochemicals production by yeast. Experience in RT-PCR, ELISA, gel electrophoresis, Western

blotting, sample preparation and analytical techniques (GC, IC, HPLC, Raman spectroscopy).

EDUCATION

University of Washington Seattle, WA

Ph.D. Bioresource Science and Engineering December 2012

School of Environmental and Forest Sciences

Advisor: Professor Renata Bura

B.S.,Biochemistry August 2002

EMPLOYMENT/RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

University of Washington Seattle, WA

Post-Doctoral Associate - Bioresource Science and Engineering January 2013-Present

• Focused on anaerobic fermentation of lignocellulosic sugars (hydrolysates) sugars to

propionic acid, acetic acid and ethanol.

• Succeeded in scaling up the sugars fermentation from shaker flask level to 5 L bench

scale fermentor.

• Managing four doctoral, one master, and five undergraduate students.

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Adjunct Professor - Chemistry Highline Community College March 2014-Present

Developed, organized lectures and laboratory sessions for undergraduate students

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for general chemistry class.

Graded exams and assignments, held office hours.

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Graduate Student Research Assistant - Bioresource Science and Engineering 2008-2012

• Researched, designed, developed, and optimized the fermentation of five different sugars

to xylitol, ethanol and other value-added products.

• Performed characterization of yeast and bacteria culturing.

• Researched enzymatic hydrolysis of solids rich in sugar polymers.

• Succeeded in scaling up the sugars fermentation from shaker flask level to 5 L bench

scale fermentor.

• Researched bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass such as agricultural and hardwood

biomass into biochemicals, including robust steam pretreatment processes for

fractionation of feedstocks and fermentation of liquid streams.

• Performed sample preparation and data analysis on gas, ion, and HPLC chromatography,

Raman spectroscopy, UV spectrophotometer, pH meter, cloning, sequencing, RT-PCR,

DNA and RNA extraction, gel electrophoresis.

• Developed and implemented SOPs.

• Mentored, trained and assisted thirteen undergraduate, one master and two doctoral

students and co-workers on equipment and lab techniques.

• Assisted undergrad students and principal investigators with literature searches,

preparation of oral presentations, written reports and manuscripts and contributed to the

experimental planning efforts of the research group.

Research web http://depts.washington.edu/sfrbbl/People/AzraVajzovic.html

Research Scientist II - Civil Engineering 2004-2008

• Performed research techniques (plant extractions of samples for metabolites, RT-PCR, gel

electrophoresis, Western blotting, and ELISA) related to plant/bacterial interactions, plant

signaling.

• Analyzed samples on gas, ion, and HPLC chromatography, and Purge and Trap, and HP

Trap and performed periodic instrument tuning, calibration, and basic troubleshooting

and was in charge of ordering laboratory supplies.

LANGUAGES

Fluent in Bosnian, English and Croatian.

SCHOOLRASHIPS/FELLOWSHIPS/AWARDS

1. Xi Sigma Pi Alpha University of Washington Research Grant Award for 2009 ($1000).

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2. Bioenergy IGERT fellowship 2009-2011, ($60,000).

3. Graduate Student Travel Award for 2010 ($500).

4. Denman Professorship in Bioresource Science Engineering, University of Washington for

2011-2012 ($30,000).

PUBLICATIONS

1. Novel endophytic yeast Rhodotorula mucilaginosa strain PTD3 II: production of xylitol

and ethanol in the presence of inhibitors J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol (2012).

2. Novel endophytic yeast Rhodotorula mucilaginosa strain PTD3 I: production of xylitol

and ethanol. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol (2012).

3. Converting lignocellulosic solid waste into ethanol for the State of Washington: An

investigation of treatment technologies and environmental impacts. Bioresour Technol

(2012).

4. Diazotrophic endophytes of native black cottonwood and willow. Symbiosis (2009).

5. Enhanced phytoremediation of volatile environmental pollutants with transgenic

trees. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sciences (2007).

PRESENTATIONS

1. Exhibitor, International Conference on Renewable Resources & Biorefineries, Belgium,

(06, 2013).

2. Exhibitor, The Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals, Oregon (05,

2013).

3. Presenter, IGERT PI Meeting, Washington, DC, (06, 2012).

4. Presenter, International Conference on Renewable Resources & Biorefineries, Belgium,

(06, 2011).

5. Presenter, Washington Pulp and Paper Foundation annual conference, Seattle, (05, 2011).

6. Exhibitor, The Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals, Seattle, (05,

2011).

7. Exhibitor, International Conference on Renewable Resources & Biorefineries, Germany,

(06, 2010).

8. Presenter, Washington Pulp and Paper Foundation annual conference. Seattle, (05, 2010).

9. Presenter, Pacific Rim Summit on Industrial Biotechnology & Bioenergy, Hawaii (11,

2009).

10. Exhibitor, The Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals, California (05,

2009).

11. Presenter, Washington Pulp and Paper Foundation annual conference, Seattle, (05, 2009)

12. Presenter, Xi Sigma Pi Alpha University of Washington Research Grant Award, Seattle,

(05, 2009).

13. Exhibitor, Heavy Metals and Phytoremediation. American Society of Plant Biologists,

Seattle, (07, 2005).

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14. Exhibitor, International Workshop on Nanochemistry, Hungary (09, 2004).

PATENT

UW TechTransfer Record of Invention (ROI) Title: Naturally occurring yeast strains for xylitol

production, UW TechTransfer Reference No. 8107D.

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