Assistant Plant

AVNEET BRAR

Ottawa, ON (Permanent Resident of Canada)

C: 613-***-****; ******.****@*****.***

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

• Over 6 years research experience in Microbiology and Molecular Biology with extensive

experience in scientific methods, microbiological techniques, and accurate use of various

laboratory instruments

• Fast learner and self-motivated with the ability to make independent decisions and work under

limited supervision

• Effective communication and interpersonal skills

• Adept in MS office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and various statistical analyses such as SAS

• Experience working in a containment level 2 laboratory

WORK EXPERIENCE

Visiting Research Assistant

Jan. 2014 - Present

Ottawa Plant Laboratory

Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), Ottawa, ON

• Working on validation and benchmarking of Real-time PCR assays as part of a large scale project

funded by Genome Canada (TAIGA) to develop genomic-based pathogen detection and

monitoring tools

• Responsible for culturing of microbial pathogens for assay validation

• Performed DNA extractions, PCR and Real time PCR reactions to detect the presence of plant

pathogens

Research Assistant I

May 2012 - December 2013

Department of Forest Sciences

University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, BC

• Worked on real-time quantitative PCR assay development as part of a large scale project funded

by Genome Canada (TAIGA) to develop genomic-based pathogen detection and monitoring tools

• Performed real time PCR on the ABI Step One and ABI ViiA7 using PIRO liquid handling robot

• Performed basic molecular biology work such as isolation and quantification of DNA, DNA

extraction, PCR, and Gel electrophoresis

• Cultured and sub cultured various strains of fungal forest pathogens

• Routinely prepared microbiological growth media and laboratory stock solutions

Laboratory Assistant I

July 2006 - March 2010

Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology

University of California Riverside (UCR), CA

• Maintained World Oomycetes Collection (WOC) cultures and DNA sequence database

• Performed DNA extraction, PCR, DNA sequencing, and sequence analysis for fungal

identification

• Isolated and cultured bacterial and fungal plant pathogens

• Organized various laboratory operations through interaction with students, postdocs, vendors, and

collaborating laboratories

2

Supervised more than 15 undergraduate students over 3 years and day-to-day operations of five

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pathology greenhouses and four growth chambers

Successfully and Independently managed all laboratory operations in the absence of my PI Dr.

•

Michael David Coffey (Summer 2009)

Organized inventory of laboratory samples, reagents, and equipment

•

Trained in laboratory safety practices and aseptic techniques

•

Contributed 1000+ DNA sequences of Phytophthora sp. to NCBI database

•

Graduate Research Assistant

Aug. 2003 - June 2006

Department of Plant Sciences

Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University, Normal, AL

• Designed and performed research experiments to isolate heat stable compounds from shiitake

mushroom for possible control of bacterial pathogens

• Evaluated mycelial leachate of shiitake mushroom against bacterial pathogens

• Presented research findings at scientific conferences

EDUCATION

Master of Science (May 2006)

Alabama Agricultural & Mechanical University (AAMU), Normal, AL

Major: Plant Sciences (GPA 3.75/4.00)

B.Sc. (Honors) - July 2002

Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, Punjab, India.

Major: Plant Pathology, Entomology, and Nematology (GPA 3.97/4.00)

LABORATORY SAFETY TRAINING/CERTIFICATIONS

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) Training (May 2012)

University of British Columbia

RMS Laboratory Chemical Safety Training (July 2012)

University of British Columbia

Biohazardous Risk Group-1, Risk Group-2 Contaminated Solid Waste Training (July 2013)

University of British Columbia

Preventing and Addressing Workplace Bullying and Harassment Training Course (May 2014)

University of British Columbia

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) Training (February 2014)

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Biosecurity Program and Biosecurity Incident Response Plan Training (March 2014)

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Containment Level 2 Operational Practices (February 2014)

Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) Training

2

AWARDS/SCHOLARSHIP

• Travel Award (2006), Southern Division Meeting, American Phytopathological Society

• Graduate Research Assistantship (2003-06), Alabama A & M University, Normal, AL

• Dr. G.S. Sohi Memorial Scholarship (2001-02), Punjab Agricultural University, India

• University Merit Scholarship, PAU, Ludhiana, India (1998-00)

• National Youth Parliament Award, New Delhi, India (2001)

SELECTED PRESENTATIONS

• Brar A and Pacumbaba R P (2006) Heat stable antibacterial agents from shiitake mushroom.

American Phytopathological Society Meeting, Orlando, FL

• Brar A and Pacumbaba R P (2006) Antibacterial agents from mycelial leachates of shiitake

mushroom. 14th Biennial Research Symposium, Association of Research Directors Inc., Atlanta,

Georgia, USA

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