Leonor Velez Climent
Morrisville, NC 27560
e-mail: ********@*****.***
Mobile: 787-***-****
EDUCATION:
****-****: Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, Metropolitan Campus
School of Medical Technology
BS: Science, Major: Medical Technology- Magna Cum Laude, ASCP Licensed
2006-2010: UConn, Molecular and Cellular Biology
Microbiology Department
Masters in Microbiology
2011-2012: Campbell University
Clinical Research
2012-present: Arizona T. Still University
Health Sciences
DHSc- Global Health
WORK EXPERIENCE:
May 1996-Apr 1998: CLENDO Clinical Lab-Bayamon, Puerto Rico
Lab Aide, RIA Department Aide
-receive and deliver samples to the different departments to be processed
Apr 1998-Apr 2000: CMT Clinical Lab-Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico
Microbiology Department Aide
-aid in organization and process CLIA-waivered tests
-plant samples
Apr 2000-June 2001: ALPHA Research & Consulting- Humacao, Puerto Rico
Microbiology Department Associate
-environmental testing (air & water)
-Microbiology tests for raw and finished products of pharmaceutical products
June 2001-Aug 2003: ALPHA Research & Consulting- Humacao, Puerto Rico
R&D Department (in charge of Student Rotation Program)
-In charge of a number of experiments involving antimicrobial formulas
-In charge of students (undergrad) rotations
Jan 2005-Dec 2005: IBM/Meditech- San Juan, Puerto Rico
Translator (Spanish/English) at training for new computer system installation at the Clinical Lab- Medical
Center of Puerto Rico
Jan 2006-Aug 2006: Borinquen Clinical Lab- San Juan, Puerto Rico
Medical Technologist, Rheumatology and Infectious Disease Dept.
-infectious disease blood test
-Rheumatic diseases blood test
-FISH method for Treponema pallidum confirmation
-ANA testing (ELISA)
-ANA confirmation by immunofluorescence
-calibration and maintenance of equipment
-QC and QA reporting
-State/CAP proficiencies
October 2007-Dec 2010: Manchester Memorial Hospital- Manchester, CT
Microbiologist
-ELISA test for Shiga toxin, C. difficile
-immunochromatographic assay for Flu, StrepA, RSV, Rotavirus, Giardia
-maintenance of equipment
-QC and QA reporting
-culture of samples from second shift
-reading of gram stains
Dec 2010-July 2011: Hospital of Central Connecticut
Medical Technologist-Molecular Microbiology Department
-maintain logs (temperature, materials, etc…)
-PCR for C. difficile
-immunofluorescence test for M. tuberculosis and P. carinii
-ANA testing (microbeads)
-isolation of DNA for Chlamydia/Gonoccocal infections
-infectious diseases blood testing
-immunochromatographic assay for Flu, StrepA, RSV, Rotavirus, Giardia and HIV
-State/CAP proficiencies
-QC and QA reporting
-revision of SOP’s
-ID of Trichomonas, Candida, BV by DNA probe test
-preparation (digestion) of sputum samples for testing-reading of AFB and
immunofluorescence stains; TB culture
April 2013-present: Veterans Affairs Medical Center-Durham
QA/QC Medical Technologist- GS11 (Current salary- $65,000 year)
-frequent update of quality improvement measures to meet ASCP/CLIA requirements for
inspection and accreditation
-implement novel protocols required by ASCP/CLIA/CDC regarding laboratory practices
in microbiology, serology, and molecular microbiology
-developing and upgrading Standard Operating Procedures
-prepare and perform training and competency documentation for new and current
employees
-assign, document, and report proficiency testing from CAP
-coordinate continuous education for personnel
-perform personnel evaluation on performance
-revise results generated by personnel in the serology, microbiology, and molecular
microbiology areas
-participate as chair of quality control meetings
-compile and analyze statistics pertaining to quality (TAT, contamination, incident
reports)
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE:
Aug 1994-May 1995: Immunology Department-Medical Sciences Campus, Puerto Rico
Research Assistant-Apoptosis in HIV infected cells
Dr. Lavergnes' lab
May 1995-May 1996: Microbiology Department-Medical Sciences Campus, Puerto Rico
Research Asssistant- HIV vaccine Dr. Krieselbergs' lab
Jan 2007-Dec2007: Infectious Disease Department-UConn Health Center
Research Assistant-production of Granzyme B in influenza virus infected cells, Dr. McElhaneys' lab
-scope: measuring the immune response to influenza vaccination in ex vivo cultures of peripheral blood
mononuclear cell cultures stimulated with Influenza virus and, quantifying the production of Granzyme B
by cytotoxic T lymphocytes as a key mediator of cytolytic activity agains virus-infected cells.
-keep QC logs
-equipment maintenance
-preparation and maintenance of cryopreserved Flu strains
-isolation of mononuclear cells
-flow cytometry
-stimulation of cells by Influenza virus
Jan 2008-Jan 2009: Molecular Biology Department-UConn Health Center
Research Assistant-immune response to B. burgdorferi, Dr. Salazars' lab
-scope: activation and response of human monocytes and other immunological cells by B. burgdoreri.
-isolation of monocytes
-isolation of DNA
-electrophoresis
-western blot
-RT PCR
-maintain cryopreserved specimens
-flow cytometry
-quantification of WBCs
-electron microscope
Jan 2010-May 2010: The Hospital of Central Connecticut Cancer Research Center
Clinical Research Observant- Dr. Hoffman
SKILLS:
Able to work under pressure
Computer literate
Team work oriented
Trained in ELISA, RIA, EIA, PCR, Western blot, southern blot, Immunofluorescence, micro/macrotiter,
hemaglutinnation, HA inhibition, cell culture, flow cytometry, microbial culture and identification, DNA
extraction, RT-PCR
PUBLICATIONS:
Activation of Human Monocytes by Live Borrelia burgdorferi generates TLR-2 dependent and
independent responses which include induction of IFN-b. Plos Pathogens