Angela M. Rovnyak

Summary

I have a strong interest in entomology, particularly insect behavior. I earned a Master of science in entomology from Iowa State University, specializing in insect behavior and fruit, nut and specialty crop entomology. I am also interested in insect neurobiology, insecticide toxicology, and how insect pests effect global food supply.

EDUCATION

B.S - Biology Case Western Reserve University 2010

M.S. – Entomology Iowa State University 2016

LABORATORY SKILLS

Agronomy

Aseptic Technique

Bioassays

Buffer preparation via SOP’s

Cell Culture

Centrifuge

Directional Blots

DNA Extraction

DNA Manipulation

DNA Sequencing

Electrophoresis

Electrophysiology

ELISA

Entomology

Experimental Design

Fermentation

Gas Chromatography

Good Lab Practices

Greenhouse Technician

Horticulture

HPLC

Insect Culture

Laboratory Instruction

Laboratory Management

Mass spectrometry

Media Prep

Microscopy

Neurobiology

PCR

Pharmacokinetics

Pipetting

Plant Physiology

Protein Assays

Protein Purification

Quality Control

Quality Assurance

SDS PAGE

SOP Preparation

Sterile Technique

Training

Wet Chemistry

Relevant Coursework and Software

Biology (lab)

Chemistry (lab)

Ecology (lab)

Insect Physiology (lab)

Statistics (lab)

Theoretical Ecology

DNA Techniques (lab)

Protein Techniques (lab)

Study Abroad in Serbia and Croatia (Horticulture)

Fruit and Nut Horticulture (lab)

Plant Biochemistry

Toxicology

Insecticide Toxicology (lab)

Medical Entomology (lab)

Molecular Mycology

Virology

Insect-Virus Interactions

Insect-Plant Interactions

Chemical Ecology

Maintaining insect culture (western corn rootworm, navel orangeworm, tobacco hornworm, European corn borer)

Insect rearing

Insect diet assays/binary choice experiments (European corn borer, tobacco hornworm)

Neuroscience

Neuropharmacology

Neuroethology

Psychology

Abnormal Psychology

Graphic Design

Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.)

Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator)

Statistical Software (R, SAS)

Programming (Mathematica, R, Python, Java)

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

•Team Management

•Data entry/analysis

•Proficient with Microsoft Office

•Experience with environmental chambers (Percival)

•Excellent customer service and public speaking skills

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

Microbiology Analyst, Nestle Purina Analytical Laboratories; Saint Louis, MO April 2017- present

•I ensure product safety in a fast-paced food microbiology laboratory.

•I maintain best laboratory practices including everyday use of aseptic technique.

•I am in charge of sample preparation (weighing, subsampling, organizing and distributing samples).

•I engage in some plating and microbiology techniques (preparing controls, preparing media, etc.).

Graduate Research Assistant, Iowa State University; Ames, IA August 2013- December 2016

•I managed staff of technicians, led and designed research experiments related to Masters thesis research on insect behavior and reproduction.

•I designed and performed insect assays (behavioral, reproductive) using the navel orange worm (Amyelois transitella). This included the use of flight mills, and insect growth chambers.

•I also assisted with colony maintenance of European corn borer and western corn rootworm.

•I routinely collaborated with colleagues in the USDA in California.

•I presented research at national conferences.

•During this time, I was inducted into Gamma Sigma Delta honor society.

Temporary Laboratory Technician, DuPont Pioneer; Johnston, IA June-September 2016

•This position was a three month assignment.

•I routinely collected and entered data from experiments in field and greenhouse, including growth data, soil moisture, and dry mass collection.

•I routinely used greenhouse techniques (plant care, transplanting, seed germination).

•I gained experience with corn and soy (leaf counts, tissue preparation, tissue sampling and subsampling).

Graduate Teaching Assistant, Youngstown State University; Youngstown, OH August 2011-May 2013

•I taught college-level Biology courses to majors and non-majors including fermentation, ecology, microbiology, and evolutionary biology.

•I designed lessons and assessments, and prepared the laboratory space including preparing media and buffers, and caring for laboratory animals.

•I earned high ratings from students for availability and willingness to work one-on-one.

Docent, Bodies: The Exhbibiton; Cleveland, OH June 2010-January 2011

•I educated guests about human anatomy and physiology during the exhibition’s entire extended run.

•I provided hands-on instruction and excellent customer service.

Undergraduate Research Assistant in the Wood Lab; Cleveland, OH May 2009-May 2010

•I conducted independent research on the red swamp crayfish Procambaris clarkii for college credit.

•I gained experience with colony care, neurobiology, buffer and media preparation, and electrophysiology.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Tax Preparer/Store Operations, Jackson Hewitt Tax Service; Boone, IA January 2017- April 2017

•I prepared individual income taxes during entire 2017 tax season.

•I independently managed kiosks in Boone, IA and Ames, IA.

•I provided excellent customer service, and boosted the Boone, IA location’s NPS 600%.

Group Fitness Instructor, Iowa State University Recreation Services; Ames, IA January-August 2016

•I designed and taught workouts in kickboxing, weight training, Pilates, and HIIT bootcamp.

•I was recognized on Recreation Services social media pages for excellence in kickboxing instruction.

Waitress, Byzantine Center at the Grove; Youngstown, OH April 2004-August 2013

•I maintained excellence in customer service in a banquet hall setting.

•I managed small teams of waitstaff, typically with 2-5 other waitstaff under me.

•In addition, I occasionally prepared food according to HACCP standards.

EDUCATION

Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH Bachelor of Science

Major: Biology Minor(s): Chemistry, Art Studio

Iowa State University, Ames, IA Master of Science

Major: Entomology

Saint Louis Community College, Saint Louis, MO Associate of Science, in progress

Major: Computer Science

Professional Memberships

American Society for the Advancement of Science

American Chemical Society

Entomological Society of America

Entomological Society of America: North Central Branch

Coleopterists’ Society

Gamma Sigma Delta

Piloxing Instructor Association

Publications and Presentations

Rovnyak, Angela M. and Ian J. Renne. “Prospective Roles of Learning and Genetics in Host Range Shift in Manduca sexta (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae)” 2013 Entomological Society of America, Austin, TX

Rovnyak, Angela M., Charles Burks, and Thomas Sappington. “Impact of Flight Timing and Duration on Fecundity of the Navel Orangeworm (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)” 2015 Entomological Society of America North Central Branch, Manhattan, KS

Rovnyak, Angela M. Thomas Sappington and Charles Burks. “Impact of Flight Behaviors on Reproduction of the Navel Orangeworm (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)” 2015 Entomological Society of America, Minneapolis, MN

Certifications

CPR/AED Certified

Piloxing KNOCKOUT Certified Instructor

Six Sigma Green Belt Certified

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