Project Assistant

AMANDA L. BLOM

**** ***** *****

Shrewsbury, MA *1545

Cell phone: 570-***-****

*********@***.***

OBJECTIVE

Work in a biological research position to explore biology related careers.

EDUCATION

Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA

Bachelor of Science in Biology, May 2011, GPA: 3.4/4.0

RELATED COURSEWORK

Microbiology Cell Biology

Virology Genetics

Recombinant DNA Transmission Electron Microscopy Lab

Enzymes and Purification Lab Molecular, Microbiology, &

Genetics Lab

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

Tufts Veterinary School Division of Infectious Diseases Grafton, MA

June 2010-May 2011

Worked in the field trapping insects. Identified insects by order.

Analyzed data. For more information see Major Qualifying Project under

project experience. Additionally, tested for a strain of Ehrlichia in

collected ticks using PCR from tick extractions and aided in the

collection, tagging, bleeding, and release of field mice.

Harvey's Lake Veterinary Clinic Harveys Lake, PA June-

August 2009

Veterinary assistant. Restrained patients during examination, cared for

boarding pets, aided in basic lab diagnostic tests with fecal, urine, and

blood samples.

Back Mountain Veterinary Hospital, Plains Animal Emergency Clinic

Luzerne, PA 2003-2008

Observed surgeries as a volunteer to gain animal experience. Majority of

surgeries were spaying, neutering, dental work, and torn ACL surgeries.

ADDITIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE

Lifeguard, Harvey's Lake Yacht Club Harvey's Lake, PA

Summers 2005-2008

Teacher's Aide, Wyoming Seminary Lower School Forty Fort, PA June-

August 2003

PROJECT EXPERIENCE

Major Qualifying Project at Tufts Veterinary School June 2010- May

2011

Studied the effects of mosquito spraying on non-target insects.

Researched trapping methods for insect collection, settling on a tent

like Malaise trap. Set up traps in the field, collected trapped insects

every three days. Sorted and counted the insects by order. Graphed and

analyzed insect populations before and after sprays compared to control

traps. Used the Shannon Diversity Index to examine changes in diversity

as well. Published a paper online through WPI under the name The Effect

of Mosquito Spraying on Non Target Terrestrial Insects.

Interactive Qualifying Project in Melbourne, Australia January-March 2010

Collaborated on an interdisciplinary team of three to research smart

water meters and advise the Alternative Technology Association (ATA) on

the feasibility and benefits of the systems. Contacted companies,

examined other studies, and studied alternative water saving solutions to

deliver a complete assessment of this new technology. Published a paper

online through WPI under the name: Developing a Policy Position on Smart

Water Metering.

SKILLS

Laboratory Skills: Laboratory safety and cleanup, aseptic technique,

dilutions, plating bacteria and viruses, transfection techniques (calcium

phosphate, electroporation), sampling, counting colonies, staining,

microscopy, spectrophotometry, PCR, gel electrophoresis (agarose, 2D, SDS-

PAGE), ELISA, blotting techniques (western, southern), dissection,

transmission electron microscopy,

Animal Skills: Companion animal restraint, care and handling; field mice

capture, bleeding, and release; insect trapping and identification;

horseback riding

Computer Skills: Internet use, finding information, Microsoft PowerPoint,

Word, and Excel, data analysis and graphing, Photoshop, basic networking

and troubleshooting

Other Skills: Research paper writing, public health writing for various

audiences (newspaper, magazine, internet styles), editing, public

speaking, group collaboration, teaching, sketching, painting and

design, music and performance.

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