Molecular Biologist

MARYAM MASOOD

Apt. ***, **** Dundas St West, Mississauga, ON, L5C 1C7, Canada.

Phone # +1-647-***-****, email: ******.******@*****.***

Education

M.Sc. Cell and Molecular Biology, November 2013, University of Toronto.

Honours B.Sc. (with Distinction) (Specialization: Behavior, Genetics and Neurobiology) June 2010, University

of Toronto.

Highlights of Qualifications

Laboratory Skills: PCR, RT-PCR, recombinant DNA technologies, DNA sequencing, cultivation and analysis of cell

cultures, Northern Blotting, immunohistochemistry,DNA/RNA extraction, fluorescent in situ hybridization techniques,

light microscopy, UV epifluorescent microscopy, confocal microscopy, autoclave, cDNA synthesis and cDNA library

construction. Experienced at conducting in-vitro neurophysiological assays.

WHMIS certified and Certified in Laboratory Biosafety.

Technical Competency: MS Office, Survey Monkey, Google Forms; Statistical Software: Minitab, GraphPad

Prism, MS Excel; Research databases: OVID, BIOSIS, SCOPUS, PUBMED. Biotechnology Tools: Geneious,

NCBI, ClustalW, MEGA, ImageJ, Image Lab, Picolog, force transducers.

Personal Skills: Proficient at writing reports, grants, proposals; delivered presentations at conferences attended by

both industrial and agrochemical sectors; great public speaking skills, team player along with high aptitude for

independent learning with a creative mind; skilled in event organization and extremely social. Multi-lingual:

English, Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi.

Research Experience

University of Toronto June 2011- June 2013

Research Assistant for Prof. Ian Orchard.

Publication: Molecular characterization and possible biological roles of allatotropin in Rhodnius prolixus.

Peptides. doi: 2013.10.17.

Responsibilities included:

- Identifying, cloning and sequencing target R. prolixus genes in silico and in vitro vitro (tools used: Geneious,

NCBI BLAST, ExPASy Translate, ClustalW, PCR, Sanger sequencing)

- Mapping spatial expression of genes (RT-PCR, Northern Blotting, FISH)

- Designing and conducting in vitro assays to analyse potency of various peptides on tissues (endocrinology)

- Maintaining data logs and analysis of data via statistical methods (software used: GraphPad Prism, MS Excel,

Minitab)

- Mapping phenotypic expression of genes and tracing axonal processes (immunohistochemistry, neurobiology)

- Optimizing existing SOPs by analyzing and trouble-shooting existing experimental protocols

St. Michael’s Hospital Sept 2009- April 2010

Intern- Assistant Research Coordinator, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department.

Responsibilities included:

- Preparing ethic reports and obtaining study consents from the Hospital’s Research Ethics Board

- Designing effective data collection and patient follow-up forms (used: Survey Monkey, MS Excel and

Google Forms)

- Recruiting and obtaining informed consent from patients for clinical studies

- Liasing between the principal investigators and patients

- Conducting literature searches for studies (research databases used: OVID, BIOSIS, SCOPUS, PUBMED)

University of Toronto Sept 2009- December 2009

Research student for Prof. Sasa Stefanovic (course work). Identified and analyzed the Tobacco rbcL gene.

- Used gene specific primers to isolate and amplify the chloroplast rbcL gene

- Ligated the PCR product into a pETBlue-2- vector and transformed into E.coli.

- Used SDS-PAGE and western blots to analyze rbcL in transformed bacteria

- Used Sanger sequencing to obtain the exact sequence that was then analyzed and compared to existing

literature. Documented results were delivered as a formal written report and a PowerPoint presentation

Experience

University of Toronto

Teaching Assistant for the following 2nd and 3rd year courses:

Human Development taught by Charlotte De Araujo Sept 2013- Dec 2013

Introduction to Cell & Molecular Biology taught by Charlotte De Araujo May 2013- June 2013

Integrative Animal Physiology II taught by Prof. Angela Lange Jan 2013- April 2013

Introduction to Cell & Molecular Biology taught by Prof. George Espie Sept 2012- Dec 2012

Laboratory in Molecular Biology & Genetics taught by Prof. Steven Short Jan 2012- April 2012

Introduction to Cell & Molecular Biology taught by Prof. George Espie Sept 2011- Dec 2011

University of Toronto Sept 2011- July

2013

Research Assistant for Prof. Ian Orchard. Identified and characterized the allatotropin gene Rhodnius prolixus and

elucidated the possible biological roles of the peptide.

Mississauga Insight IT Tech Inc. Oct 2010- May

2011

Teacher for Physics, Chemistry and Biology for grade 8- 1st year university students

Office administrator. Responsibilities included: staff assignment, customer service, staff pay role, new hiring and

banking and pay slip tasks

University of Toronto Sept 2009- March

2010

Participation Assistant at the AccessAbility Resource Centre. Responsibilities included:

- Working with students with disabilities and assisting them with software such as Dragon Naturally

Speaking, Kurzweil and equipment such as Human ware

- Providing personal course support, transcribing course readings/lectures in alternative formats and assisting

with maintaining, researching and filing disability related resources.

Honours and Awards

Graduate Office Graduate Student Travel Grant (2013)

Graduate Student Conference travel grants (2013)

Frederick P. Ide Graduate Award in Cell and Systems Biology (2013)

University of Toronto Fellowship (2011-2013)

Biology Graduate Student Travel Grant (2012,2013)

Distinction in H.B.Sc. (2010)

Extra- curricular activities, Volunteer work

University of Toronto June 2012- May 2013

Biology Representative for the University of Toronto Mississauga Association of Graduate Students (UTMAGS)

Responsibilities included:

- Student representative for the Academic Affairs Council meetings where I gave input regarding student

enrollment and student feedback regarding courses offered

- Represented students at the Quality Student Services(QSS) budget proposal meetings

- Acted as a liaison between the biology department and UTMAGS

- Helped promote UTMAGS events such as research night among the biology department

University of Toronto Sept 2011- May 2012

Graduate Students Union (GSU) Representative, (UTMAGS)

- Student ambassador at various governing councils at university

- Resolved issues and concerns with GSU pertinent to UTM graduate students to enhance the overall student

experience at university

- Wrote reports and obtained funding form GSU for events organized by UTMAGS, including: graduate

students orientation, networking nights, and research nights

University of Toronto April 2008- May 2011

Event coordinator and Chief Returning Officer for the Hindu Student Council

- Headed socio-cultural festivals to promote and celebrate student diversity on campus. All of the organized

events were well-attended, exceeding 300 attendees for each

- Increased student awareness to global issues by organizing various events

- Consecutively won the Best Club award for 3 years as a result of our contributions to the campus and

student life

Interests: Travelling; reading and writing poetry; playing badminton.

References available upon request.

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