Assistant Plant

Samantha Thirumala Kumara

*** ******* **** ************ **- 62234 ph – 618-***-****

email : **.********@*****.***

Educational Qualification:

Masters of Science, Environmental Science at Southern Illinois University,

Edwardsville, Illinois. GPA -3.72

Bachelor of engineering, Biotechnology at Sastra University,

Tanjore, India GPA- 3.7

Thesis research:

Worked on a Phytoremediation method, which is volatilization of selenium from

contaminated soil/water;

This represents a cost effective and sustainable approach to clean up selenium

contaminated environment.

The research involves the cultivation of bacteria which enhances the volatilization

of toxic selenium from soil. The samples collected were subjected to ICP-Ms analysis..

This study demonstrates the possibility of enhancing Selenium volatilization from

two soil plant systems.

Lab experience and skills:

Worked as a research assistant in environmental contamination, its toxicology and

Phytoremediation methods. Currently working on my thesis titled “Effects of Baccillus

ceresus Inoculation on Enhancement of Selenium Volatilization in Soil-Plant Systems”.

Experience in technical report writing, and excellent skills in microbiology, have worked

in microbiology labs for 4 years during Masters and Undergrad.

Proficient in ICP-MS, HPLC and AA analysis (used in my thesis ). Worked with ICP-MS

for past two years and also given demos to other students and professors. Have run both

selenium and water samples. Also Done ELISA, Western Blot and various types of

sampling.

Use of M.S word, Excel, Access and SPSS ( statistical analysis )

Achievements:

Recipient of RGGS (Research Grant for Graduate Students). This is research grant awarded

by the Graduate school for excellence in their field of research. This was a research grant

awarded for the research paper submitted, based on the research am working on.

Internships and training:

1. ORCHID, a Pharmaceutical company, on formation of bio filters to reduce the odor

content of effluent air. Jan 2009 – May 2009

This was a environmental project on bio filter formulation and design.

“Formation of bio filter to reduce the odor generated from pharmaceutical effluent

treatment process and optimization” The design and formation of bio filter was the

initial part of the project, in which a biofilter was formulated and treated and tested for

national standards. Then the bio filter was optimized, with micro organisms from the

water treatment effluent plant along with compost was used as the filter membrane. Then

the effluent air was tested on the bio filter which showed an efficiency of 97%.

2. CLRI, Central leather research Institute, INDIA, on using a biological method for

cleaning leather. May 2008 – July2008

It was an in-plant training (on site) on the techniques and methodology involved

in the process of isolation and finding of a suitable bacterial strain. It is titled as

“Isolation of salt tolerant species from salt preserved goatskin and study of their

growth rate, media optimization and production of proteases ”. These techniques were

used on an experiment to remove the unwanted organics from the leather by using

biological method instead of use of chemicals which was causing pollution.

3. TTK HEALTHCARE, Based on packaging and drug delivery May2007-June 2007

A training on drug delivery, routes of drug administration, design and

formulation of tablets and syrups and also the basic methods of packaging and

distribution in the human system.

Other experience

Research Assistant: (January 2010 to May 2010) &(January 2011 to present)

Was working in pollution ecology lab, used to test a lot contaminants samples from

various other schools and research projects. Specialized in the use of Instruments like Atomic

absorption spectroscopy (AA), ICP-MS, and HPLC. Also started a part of my thesis work of

identification of bacteria.

Teaching Assistant: (June 2010 to December 2010)

Assisted the professor in sampling class, taught students on filed sampling sites. Used various

methods of sampling in ground (soil), water and air. This class had a wide range of instruments

to specialize. Also tutored for pollution ecology and helped students with technical writing and

final reports.

Reference

1). Zhi-Qing Lin, Ph.D.

Department of Biological Sciences & Environmental Sciences Program

College of Arts and Sciences

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

0328 Science Building

Edwardsville, Illinois 62026-1651

Phone: 618-***-****

Fax: 618-***-****

E-mail: *****@****.***

2).Dr. Robin R. Rodriquez

Enviornmental Science Program

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Campus box 1099

Edwardsville, IL 62026

Phone: 618-***-****

E-mail: *******@****.***

3). Dr. Tom Fowler

Department of Biological Sciences

College of Arts and Sciences

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

3331 Science Building

Edwardsville, Illinois 62026-1651

Phone: 618-***-****

Email: *******@****.***

Contact this candidate