Zahra O’Connor

** *. ****** ***, ************, MD 20877

Cell: 301-***-**** Email: adnhzv@r.postjobfree.com

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Experience and Accomplishments

• Genomic library development for a diploid mint (Mentha longifolia) deposited in GenBank #HR308784 - HR309062.

• GFP protein purification from E. coli/pGLO/Ara by using Hydrophobic Interaction Chromatography, analyzing extracted protein by SDS-PAGE and Western blot, and ELISA check board titration to determine proper Antigen/Antibody concentration.

• Gateway Cloning of Palmitoyltransferase gene by Agrobacterium tumefaciens and DNA sequencing of transformed gene

• Analysis of Palmitoyltransferase Protein, Expression by Confocal Microscopy and Immuno-detection

• Analysis of Restriction Digested pMDC83-PAT3 by Southern blotting method

• Analyzing of FDA and FAO rejected Aspergillus flavus contaminated pistachios to find the best control to decrease aflatoxin

(which causes liver cancer). Trichoderma have been tested and chosen to use as biocontrol agents against fungal diseases for using in the field.

• Evaluation of morphologic characteristics of fungus Aspergillus flavus isolates with its toxin production. Core competencies

• Experience in molecular biology techniques: Manual and automated (Qiagen DNA extraction Kits/QiaCube) DNA and RNA isolation, spectrophotometry, Immuno-detection, plasmid isolation and purification, PCR, qPCR, Western blotting, Chemical and Electroporation Bacterial Transformation (cloning), protein extraction, agarose gel electrophoresis, SDS- PAGE methods, Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) and HPLC.

• Experience in Microbiology and Immunology techniques: Isolating, culturing and classification of fungi, nematodes and bacteria. Culturing, staining, manual (Hemocytometer) and automated (Cellometer) counting cells, and plasmid isolation from bacteria. Providing support to multi-site biological repository service center for ongoing epidemiological studies of blood borne pathogens (HIV infection) and Autism in JHU. Duties included entering of laboratory data into databases using LDMS and Freezerworks software, separating blood samples into plasma, serum, and other blood components based on different SOP for each study. Other applied techniques were Immunofluorescence Detection of VZV IgG Antibodies, Elisa, Lateral Flow (Immuno) Assays.

• Computer and bioinformatics skills: DNA sequence annotation using BLAST, NCBI databases, DNAstar software, Microsoft Office and Statistical (SPSS).

• Sales: Excellent communication skills – written and aural, Good at presentations, Negotiation skills, Work Ethic, Problem- Solving, Communication, Buyer-Seller Agreement, Time Management, Leadership, Team Management, Direct Marketing, Telemarketing, CRM

Work Experience Henry Jackson Foundation Silver Spring, MD 3/8/2021 – present Research Assistant II

• Performs molecular biology laboratory research procedures including (a) DNA and RNA extractions and purifications; (b) PCR setup and gel electrophoresis with multichannel pipettes; (c) automated liquid handling instrumentation procedures

(BioMek NX & EPmotion); (d) nucleic acid quantitation (Nanodrop, Bioanalyzer/Tapestation, Qubit/Quant-IT); (e) maintenance of genomic DNA and RNA stocks, aliquots, and dilutions

• Sets-up and performs Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) using protocols specific for whole genome, amplicon, and RNA sequencing on Illumina instruments (MiSeq, NextSeq, NovaSeq). (10%) Real estate sale person and office assistant 06/30/2015- Present

• Analyzed inventory data (houses for sale) and territory sales data (houses sold in the area) to succeed over challenges presented by customers.

• Organized, scheduled, and executed events, demos, and seminars aimed at driving sales.

• Developed creative ways to reach new sales leads (door flyers, foreign newspapers, events).

• Interacted with clients via different means of communication (phone, face-to-face, text, and Skype).

• Generated closing and transactions agreement documents, advertising documents, and financial records. 2

Selecta Biosciences Boston, MA 10/01/2011 – 01/30/2018 Part-time Patent Researcher

• Involved searching different patents from USPTO.gov, compiled the search result patents into an Excel spreadsheet. Excel Macro was used to select particular keywords. Then each patent was examined in detail and deem relevant/non-relevant to the research Selecta Bioscience was conducting.

• My work directly had an impact on the research Selecta Bioscience performed. My patent searching prevented Selecta Bioscience from performing research on an already patented ideas. Public Health Command, US Army Fort Meade, MD 10/27/2014- 01/31/2015 Internship

• run qPCR to screen the tick and mosquito borne pathogens such as Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (Anaplasmosis disease), Babesia canis, B gibsoni, B. vulgaris and B. microti (West Nile Virus and babesiosis diseases), Rickettsia (Rocky Mountain spotted fever disease), Ehrlichia canis, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, Ehrlichia ewingii

(Ehrlichiosis disease) to support the One Health USAPHC mission of safe people, animals and environment.

• Writing and revising different SOPs and templates with complies with cGMP's.

• Oversee and prepared reports to clients for submitted samples for over 25 major vector-borne diseases of public health concern.

• Worked in high throughput laboratory to screen samples from 12 states in eastern part of United States.

• Assisted in lab management tasks, such as material inventory, ordering and equipment maintenance.

• Maintained impeccable records from raw data including data books and computer generated data files, quantitative analysis of data, laboratory protocols, and summary reports.

• Presented data to small working groups as well as to the larger project teams.

• Received Training on Risk Management and Design Controls Fundamental. University of New Hampshire Durham, NH 08/11/2008 – 05/01/2011 Teaching / Research Assistant

• Involved in the following project: Functional analysis of estrogen receptor phosphorylation site by site directed mutagenesis in MCF7 and SKBR3 mammalian cancer cells.

• Involved in the following project: The Cleaved Modified Polymorphic Sequence (CAPS) method of molecular marker genotyping was performed to detect variation between the most disease-resistant and susceptible parents and their F1 and F2 generation of Mentha longifolia. Comparative sequencing of PCR products from two European and two South African accessions revealed greater diversity between than within geographic locations.

• Prepare and Deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as Human Anatomy and Physiology, and General Biology

• Prepare materials for student laboratory activities and course materials such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.

• Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.

• Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.

• Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.

• Supervise and lead undergraduate and assist students who need extra help with their coursework outside of class.

• Assisted in lab management tasks, such as material inventory, ordering and equipment maintenance. Education Part-time student in Master of Science in Biotechnology Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD 07/2013

Master of Science in Plant Molecular Biology

University of New Hampshire Durham, NH 09/2008 - 12/2010 Certificate in Regulatory Affairs for Laboratory Compliance American Association for Clinical Chemistry Washington, DC May 15, 2013 Program covered regulatory oversight, key federal regulations, state and private oversight, compliance, Medicare fraud and abuse provisions, and laboratory reimbursement.

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Publications

• Hadadian, Zahra, Genomic resource development for a diploid mint: Mentha longifolia, University of New Hampshire, 2010, 61 pages; 1489945

• Hadadian Zahra, Etebarian H., Aboohosein G., Aminian H. 2005. Relationship between sclerotium and toxin production in Aspergillu flavus and distribution of biofilm - production isolates in Kerman province. IV International Almond and Pistachio Symposium.

• N.S. Suba Rao. “Soil microbiology” book, 2001. Translated to Persian by Hadadian, Zahra, Dashti Sh.

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