State University San
Resume:
COURTNEY A BENSON
El Cajon, CA *2021
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EDUCATION
San Diego State University, San Diego, CA
M.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology, Master's Thesis Manuscript completed
December 2009, Graduation May 2010
Master's Thesis: Microbial Diversity in Steam Vent Sublimates
Thesis Advisor: Dr. Richard Bizzoco
San Diego State University, San Diego, CA
B.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology, May 2007
SKILLS
Specialties
Environmental DNA extraction, 16S rRNA gene amplification, and cloning
Cultivation of extremophiles
Laboratory
Steam Microbiology: Culturing novel archaea and bacteria, DNA extractions,
polymerase chain reaction (PCR), environmental DNA extractions (archaea and
bacteria), gel electrophoresis, DAPI staining, microscopy, DNA sample
preparation for sequencing, and cloning. Collaborative chemistry: ICP-OES
elemental analysis, nutrient analysis and x-ray microanalysis of
environmental steam sediments.
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Graduate Research, Dr. Richard Bizzoco and Dr. Scott T. Kelley,
Microbiology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA
June 2007- December 2009
Steam Sublimate Microbiology
Fumaroles, commonly called steam vents, contain diverse microbial
communities. Fumaroles occur when steam and volcanic gases escape through
Earth's crust as a result of magma degassing and/or geothermal heating of
groundwater aquifers at a shallow depth (Costello et al 2009). In my study,
steam sublimates were analyzed for archaeal and bacterial DNA. As the steam
approaches and exits a vent or cave, minerals with microorganisms are
deposited along the cooler walls and ceilings as steam sublimates. During
the summer of 2008, I had the opportunity to travel to Yellowstone National
Park to conduct field research, collect samples for my study, and discover
new steam caves with unknown archaea. Processing the samples for my study
proved to be difficult; steam sublimates are highly acidic. I developed a
singular method to allow a more efficient DNA yield for environmental
extractions. After DNA extraction, I amplified the DNA by polymerase chain
reaction (PCR) and visualized the amplified DNA by gel electrophoresis.
Once all DNA extractions were completed, I processed the samples by TOPO TA
Cloning . From the resulting archaeal sequences, I generated a phylogenetic
tree as part of my analysis of the results. The bacterial sequences were
analyzed; many diverged significantly from sequences of known organisms.
The second part of my study involved the cultivation of archaea and
bacteria in liquid media and on solid media agar and Gelrite overlays. The
positive cultures were extracted for DNA, and after purification were
amplified by PCR. The amplified DNA was visualized by gel electrophoresis
and sent out for sequencing. Phylogenetic trees will be created from the
resulting archaeal and bacterial sequences. During this study I developed a
new DNA extraction method for archaea and discovered and cultured several
unknown archaea. My manuscript will be submitted for publication in
December 2009.
Undergraduate Research, Dr. Richard Bizzoco, Microbiology. San Diego State
University, San Diego, CA.
August 2006- May 2007
Steam Microbiology
I began my research in Dr. Richard Bizzoco's laboratory learning the basics
of molecular biology. I started by culturing archaea and bacteria from
steam samples condensed aseptically from fumaroles, to provide assistance
and data for a graduate student research project. After successfully
growing organisms in liquid media and on solid media, I was able to extract
the DNA using the lysozyme method. I then PCR amplified and visualized the
DNA by gel electrophoresis. Once DNA samples were ready for sequencing, I
prepared and sent off the purified PCR products to the MicroChemical Core
facility at SDSU and was able to identify the species by phylogenetic
analysis, using several databases and software programs for base calling
and alignments. My most interesting and unexpected finding was that I was
able to grow halophilic archaea from Yellowstone National Park steam
samples nearly devoid of salt (Ellis et al 2008).
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Teaching Assistant, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA
August 2008- December 2009
. Developed instructional plans and taught an advanced level laboratory
course in Principles of Cell and Molecular Biology.
. Guided several undergraduates and assisted with orientation to
molecular and cellular research in our laboratory over a period of
years. A current student is working on fluorescent in situ
hybridization (FISH) for my steam sediment project.
PRESENTATIONS
Posters
. Presented at 2009 Student Research Symposium: Microbial Diversity in
Steam Vent Sublimates. San Diego State University. February 27, 2009.
. Co-Author for poster presented at 2008 Annual Biomedical Research
Conference for Minority Students: Subsurface Microbiology: Growth of
Organisms Recovered from Volcanic Steam Sublimates. November 11, 2008.
. Presented for Rhetoric and Writing Studies: Steam Microbiology: What
is it? San Diego State University. November 3, 2008.
. Presented at the Undergraduate Research Symposium: Subsurface
Microbiology: Growth of Organisms recovered from Volcanic Steam. San
Diego State University. April 20, 2007.
Powerpoint Presentations
. Microbial Diversity in Steam Vent Sublimates. Thesis Defense, San
Diego State University. December 10, 2009.
. Immune response against frameshift-induced neopeptides in HNPCC
patients and healty HNPCC mutation carriers, Schwitalle et al 2008.
San Diego State University, partner presentation. March 25, 2009.
. Melamine and food safety in China. San Diego State University.
February 23, 2009.
. Microbial diversity in steam vent sublimates. Thesis Proposal, San
Diego State University. November 20, 2008.
. Why are parasite contingency genes often associated with telomeres?
J.D. Barry et al 2003. San Diego State University. May 9, 2008.
. An intronic element contributes to splicing repression in spinal
muscular atrophy, Kashima et al 2007. Group presentation, San Diego
State University. April 2008.
. Li Fraumeni. Group presentation, San Diego State University. April
2008.
. Essential role for Dicer during skeletal muscle development, J.R.
O'Rourke et al 2007. Group presentation, San Diego State University.
February 4, 2008.
. The crystal structure of ?-Gam protein suggests a model for RecBCD
inhibition, Robert Court et al 2007. Partner presentation, San Diego
State University. September 24, 2007.
AWARDS
. Mabel Meyers Memorial Scholarship. 2009-10.
REFERENCES
Richard Bizzoco, Ph.D. Scott Kelley, Ph.D.
Department of Biology Department of Biology
San Diego State University San Diego State University
South Life Sciences 362 South Life Sciences 373
5500 Campanile Drive 5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182 San Diego, CA 92182
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David Truesdale Anca Segall, Ph.D.
Lab Coordinator Department of Biology
San Diego State University San Diego State University
Physical Sciences 230 North Life Sciences 331
5500 Campanile Drive 5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182 San Diego, CA 92182
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