Laboratory Technician

Nicholas Ruskoski

**** ******* ** *** *** Woodbridge, VA 22191

(856) 305 – 0987

*********@*****.***

QUALIFICATIONS

• 4 years laboratory experience conducting many different types of laboratory tests and assays

• Experience working in an extremely high volume cancer diagnostics laboratory, with high

pressure as most patient samples are irreplaceable, and a false result could endanger a patient's

life

• Laboratory safety officer monitoring proper usage, and proper disposal of hazardous chemicals,

radioactive materials, viral agents, etc.

• Experience presenting laboratory data to colleagues

• Cooperative and positive member of a laboratory team

• Skilled in use of computers for collecting, recording, and presenting data

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts, Major: Biological Sciences, Minor: Chemistry

Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ

Associate of Science, Major: Mathematics/Science

Cumberland County College, Vineland, NJ

EXPERIENCE

01/2014 – PRESENT Medical Technologist Quest Diagnostics, Chantilly, VA

• Currently working in a clinical molecular oncology laboratory accredited by the College of

American Pathologists (CAP)

• Laboratory routinely participates in CAP, state, and local proficiency testing to verify accuracy

and quality of testing

• Employees must complete competency verification to ensure quality and accuracy of work

• Extraction of DNA, RNA, and total nucleic acid from various sample types

Many of the samples are irreplaceable biopsies/tumors from various locations such as the

brain, lung, colon, etc.

Sample types include: formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue blocks, fine-needle

aspirates (FNA), cell pellets, blood, bone marrow, and other rare, irreplaceable specimens

such as cerebral spinal fluid

Extracted using various FDA approved kits, manual protocols, and high-volume automated

machines

• PCR of extracted nucleic acid for genomic sequencing

• Accurate labeling and legal documentation of patient specimens and results

• Responsible for quality control of all reagents used, requiring validation before usage

• Preventative maintenance of various equipment and automated machinery

Safety Officer/Hazardous Materials Coordinator

• Trains and monitors laboratory staff on required safety procedures

• Responsible for keeping records of training documents, and safety equipment

• Ensures proper storage and disposal of all hazardous materials

01/2013 – 10/2013 Tutor Mighty Writers, Philadelphia, PA

• Assisted students with schoolwork and writing projects

• Participated in writing instruction, writer's workshops, and writing activities with students

12/2012 – 08/2013 Construction Worker Aliano Brothers General Contractors, Inc., Vineland, NJ

• Experience in various aspects of construction such as painting, demolition, carpentry

• Purchasing and transportation of construction supplies/materials

03/2010 – 11/2012 Laboratory Manager University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

• Oversaw operation of Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) biological research laboratory

• Managed inventory of, and purchased, supplies, equipment, and reagents

Performed maintenance and repair of laboratory equipment

Chief safety officer monitoring hazardous materials

Monitored usage of radioactive material in compliance with Environmental Health and

Radiation Safety

• Supervised and trained university work study students, independent research students, and

research technician training students

Assigned tasks, projects, and experiments for these students

• Managed and cared for laboratory research animals in accordance with Institutional Animal

Care And Use Committee regulations

Research Technician

• Conducted molecular genetics research on Herpes Simplex virus type I (HSV-1)

Studied latency and reactivation of HSV-1, and applications using HSV-1 for treating

neurological disorders and brain cancers

Experienced in virology, microbiology, and other research techniques such as:

Cell culture; virus production, purification, and titration/quantification; bacterial culture,

plasmid preparation, and sequencing; transfection and transformation, isolation of

DNA/RNA from viral, bacterial, and animal tissue sources; protein quantification,

anesthetization of mice, and extraction of brain tissue

06/2007 – 02/2010 Construction Worker Martech Enterprise, Clayton, NJ

• Involved in various tasks such as ceiling and carpet installation, filing construction permits

• Experienced in preventing work site contamination of environment, and proper clean up of

construction materials

06/2004 – 08/2005 Warehouse Worker L. J. Zucca, Inc., Vineland, NJ

• Managed inventory, organized and restocked warehouse

• Processed orders for shipping to local and regional businesses

• Skilled in operating various types of forklift vehicles

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