Molecular Microbiology Research Scientist

Leslie M. Perry, M.S.

**** ******** ***** **** *****, TX 76244 806-***-**** *******************@*****.***

Recent master’s graduate seeking a career as a highly skilled Molecular microbiologist with expertise in problem solving and experimental design.

QUALIFICATIONS

Microbiologist, 5+ years

Expert in serial dilutions, micropipetting, preparation and sterilization of complex media, asceptic technique, bacterial isolation and maintainance, sub-culturing and screening

Bacterial transformation methods including natural competence, and preparation of chemically and electrically competent cells

Antibiotic susceptibility testing

Work with Biosafety Level I and II organisms

Molecular Biology Research Scientist, 5 years

Expert in PCR, organic and Qiagen® nucleic acid extraction and analysis, gel electrophoresis

Expert in gene expression analysis with qPCR including primer design

Created site-directed, expression, and random mutants (RD, Multisite Gateway®, TargeTron®, Plasposon), fluorescent reporter assays, beta-galactosidase reporter assays, blue-white bacterial screening

Attended workshop for Ion Torrent sequencing protocols, performed RNA Seq

Successfully performed protein extraction, affinity column (His-tag) protein purification, and Chemiluminescent Western blots for research project

Other Skills

BLAST, Clustal, String 9

Biostatistics using SAS and Excel, small amount in SPSS

Knowledge of handling biohazard, mutagenic, and hazardous organic wastes

Easy to get along with and ability to work independently and as a group

Development of lab qPCR manual and SOPs

Instruments used include UV-Vis spectrophotometer, plate readers, vortexes, water baths, heat blocks, single and multi-channel pipetters, nucleic acid electrophoresis (Bio-Rad, Lonza FlashGel™, Experion™), ChemiDoc™ Imager, MyiQ™ for real-time qPCR, thermocyclers, FastPrep®-24 homogenizer, Sonicators, Ion Torrent™ sequencing platform, XCell SureLock® mini-cell protein electrophoresis, iBlot® Dry Blot system, autoclaves, BSL II laminar flow hood, and microscopes (bright-field, fluorescent, confocal).

Certifications

Certification Exam in Radiation Safety, 2009

Microsoft Word & Excel, 2003

EDUCATION

Masters in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, concentration in Microbiology

University of North Texas, Denton, TX (3.764/4.000 GPA), 8/2014

Thesis: Regulation of alternative sigma factors during oxidative and pH stresses in the phototroph Rhodopseudomonas palustris.

Bachelors of Science in Biochemistry

Texas Tech University (3.00/4.00 GPA), 8/2007

Research Project: β-lactam antibiotic inhibition by ssDNA in E. coli.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

University of North Texas, Denton, TX 8/2008-4/2015

Microbiology Teaching Assistant

Created an exemplary learning experience for students by preparing cultures, experiments, and lectures for General Microbiology, Medical Bacteriology, and Food Microbiology Labs.

TA for a special introductory freshman laboratory to help the university become a Tier One research university. Instructed research-focused students in the scientific method by guiding them through their exploration and mastery of Molecular Biology techniques in Microbiology. The lab focused on creation of deletion and random mutants using PCR and Gateway® Technology.

Texas Tech University Museum Association, Lubbock, TX 10/2005 – 8/2008

Membership Assistant (part-time)

Hired as a Student Assistant to support the small non-profit organization by answering phones, writing quotes, preparing and mailing monthly newsletters, and entering new member details.

Promoted to Membership Assistant where duties added included data entry of association’s memberships, management of current organizational memberships and seasonal drives, assisted in production of Museum Galas and special events, responding to e-mails, and occasional cashiering in the Museum Shop.

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center – Internal Medicine, Lubbock, TX 9/2003 – 6/2005

Student Assistant (part-time)

Enhanced efficiency in the department for faculty and patient through regular office work (mailing, copying, faxing, running charts, readying lab coats), completed project of scanning old resident files onto department’s electronic files.

Performed tasks not in job description such as transcribing physician cards, clearing research labs, off-site filing, setting and clearing faculty lunches for drug reps, paging residents and faculty, entering work hours for foreign residents.

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 6/2003 – 8/2003

Volunteer

Checked in patients, took vitals, and sterilized equipment. Mail, copy, fax and running charts.

AFFILIATIONS

American Society for Microbiology (ASM)

UNT Society for Microbiology (UNTSFM)

PRESENTATIONS

2009 The ECF sigma-factor, RPA4225, is shown to be stimulated by pH and peroxide stresses in R. palustris. Oral Presentation (UNT Graduate Research Day) & Poster Presentation (ASM General Meeting)

2010 Transcriptional response of ECF sigma-factors to reactive oxygen species in R. palustris. Oral Presentation (UNT Graduate Research Day) & Poster Presentations (Texas Branch ASM, ASM General Meeting)

HONORS

2009 UNT Toulouse Travel Award, College of Arts and Sciences Travel Grant

2010 American Society for Microbiology Travel Grant Award

2010 UNT Graduate Summer Tuition Scholarship

2014 ASM Sponsored Member

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