Biologist

Ashley Gillespie

*** * ******** *** ********, IL 60559 C: 630-***-**** **********@***.********.***

Summary

Elmhurst College graduate with expertise in data collection and execution. 3 years of biological research

experience resulting in a proven proficiency with completing grant proposals, annotated bibliographies, as well as

various versions of research reports.

Strengths include, the ability to learn and adapt quickly, excellent communication and analytical skills, detail-

oriented with the ability to lead.

Experienced in, plant physiological studies, genomic testing and findings, creating phylogenetic trees based upon

research and collected data, splicing, maintaining and feeding cancer cells in cell lab, analyzing the behavior of

subjects of concern.

Tools: Microsoft Office suite, and Adobe programs.

Highlights

•

• 3 1/2 years of experimental design • PCR Protocol

• Experience in genomic software • In-vitro transcription and translation

• Experienced in data analysis

• Soft Agar Assay

• Data presentation

• Gel Electrophoresis / DNA separation

• DNA Isolation

• Immunofluorescence assay

• Western blotting

• ELISA

Education

Bachelors of Science: Biology 2013

Elmhurst College Elmhurst, IL

Member of the Beta Beta Beta, Biology Honors Society

Applicable courses taken:

•

• General Biology I • Population and Evolution Genetics

• General Biology II • Animal Behavior

• Genetics • Evolution of Vertebrates

• Advanced Cellular and Molecular Physiology • Advanced Chemistry (1 year)

• Plant Physiology • Organic Chemistry (1 year)

• Physics (1 year) • Pre-Calculus)

Non-Major

Harper College Palatine, IL

Applicable courses taken:

• Biology Man & Environment

• Anatomy & Physiology I

Biology

College of DuPage Glen Ellyn, IL

Applicable courses taken:

• Anatomy & Physiology II

Independent Educational Research Experience

Research Report: Hand Sanitizing Test Against Staphylococcus Aureus

August 2010 – December 2010

• Designed a controlled experiment in order to test the ability of hand sanitizer to kill off bacteria.

• A sterile technique was used to transfer Staphylococcus bacteria from a tube and into 9 petri dishes.

• In order to grow the bacteria and incubation period was implemented where the petri dishes were all

placed inside of a Heratherm Microbiological Incubator that was kept at 37 degrees Celcius

• Presented experiment results to professors and colleagues

Reserach Report: Acid Rain and Its Effect on Plant Roots and Plant Growth

January 2011 – May 2011

• To test the effects of acid rain I designed an experiment with forty mung bean plants (Vigna Radiata).

• Acid rain was made using two drops of sulfuric acid; we found this measurement using the formula

m1v1=m2v2. Adding the base for the solution was taken by adding one drop at a time until the pH level

reached 4.5.

• The plants were then measured by leaf index using pliable measuring tape, for four weeks. At the end of

the four weeks the plants were taken from the pots, watered down to get rid of excess soil, and dried.

• Quantitative analysis was used to obtain root mass and dry weight.

• Data and results were then presented to professor and students.

Research Report: Does Cornbread Mix Contains Genetically Modified Organisms

August 2011 – December 2011

• I designed experiment to test GMOs through PCR, PCR Restriction Digest, and Automated Sequencing.

• Test tubes were made up with InstaGene matrix and formed slurry. They were then placed in bath water,

transferred to a centrifuge to spin at max speed, and then placed in the refrigerator until the PCR

reactions were set up.

• Samples were placed into eight different PCR tubes and treated with Plant master mix or GMO master

mix. Polymerase Chain Reaction Protocol was then completed.

• Gel electrophoresis was performed using 2% solution. Ligation was performed; test food with GMO

primers was used along with a positive control.

• Tubes were cooled for 15 minutes and underwent heat shock therapy before the LB media was added.

• After incubation period, plasmid miniprep was performed to isolate PCR product.

• Spin column-based nucleic acid purification was then performed and restriction digest was prepared.

• Data and results were then presented to professor and students.

Grant Proposal: Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

January 2012 – May 2012

• Wrote a grant proposal on Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and did background research to create specific

aims.

o Specific Aim 1: To further test the inhibition of ß-arrestin1 and ß-arrestin2 and the implication that

has on the progression or inhibited progression of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Using a ß-arrestin

inhibitor, such as a competitive binding ligand from Ashuntosh Khanna of M. Tech, IT, I will attempt

to eliminate ß-arrestin binding to GPCR and inhibit their function. I will also use the transduction of

siRNA. I will then use quantitative RT-PCR.

o Specific Aim 2: To use inhibition MMP1 and find out what implications that has on the

enhancement or decrease in pulmonary fibrosis. The inhibition will be done by the inhibition of ß-

arrestins.

• Data and results were then presented to professor and students.

Annotated Bibliography: Blue-light Stimulus to Plants

August 2012 – December 2012

• Did extensive research in order to write an annotated bibliography on blue-light stimulus in plants.

• The paper investigated the importance of blue light stimulation; how it works, what other components are

involved, such as auxin, and benefits in the plant species.

• Data and results were then presented to professor and students.

Reserach Report: Evolution of the putrid carrion scent in Araceae

January 2013 – May 2013

• Designed an experiment, with the help of my professor, to test the evolution of the Carrion flower.

• Two phylogenetic trees were constructed using the sequences for COX1, cytochrome oxidase 1, and

5.8S were taken from National Center for Biotechnology Information.

• The sequences were then pasted into clustalX, aligned, cut, if necessary, and the aligned sequences

were made into trees using Njplot.

• Data and results were then presented to professor and students.

Research Report: Temperature Preference in Eisenia Hortensis

August 2013 – December 2013

• Designed an experiment in order to test the temperature preferences is Eisenia Hortensis.

• The worms were first placed into the plastic container and covered in Scott Top Soil, two thermometers

were placed on either end of the container to take temperatures measurements.

• At the end of each trial the soil was split in half and worms that were left in the middle were placed on

whichever side a majority of their body lied. The worms were then counted and graphed in excel.

• Figures were then graphed against one another in a bar graph and T tests were performed to calculate

statistically and significantly different data.

• Data and results were then presented to professor and students.

Species Creation Research Report: Johngillus, a new ancestral Cercopithecidae

August 2013 – December 2013

• The professor presented each of us with an unknown skull and asked us to place it phylogenetically.

• The skull was well preserved and complete, however, it did not come with axial or appendicular skeletal

system. It was also robust and did not appear to have much cranial kinesis.

• Upon bringing the cranium back to the lab key features were measured three times and averages were

taken.

• A morphological key and phylogenetic tree were taken from Grover et al (1995) and used to place the

specimen phylogenetically and each characteristic was marked by 0’s (for absent) and 1’s (for present)

• Characters were then placed into PAST program and a phylogenetic tree was made.

• Data and results were then presented to professor and students.

Additional Lab Skills

• All coursework was practiced with GLP to ensure high quality and reliable test data.

• Familiar with GMP and its importance on in vitro diagnostics and biologics.

• In addition to Chemistry coursework, reagent assay was used in Genetics lab to determine if Jiffy Cornbread

mixture contained GMOs.

• Hands-on experience working in a fume hood with chemicals and cells.

• Ability to perform independent lab work under stressful conditions and in time sensitive situations.

Work History

• Monarch & Company

Brand Support Coordinator: January 2015 – Present

• Nanny August 2009 – Present

• Lit

Server / Service Manager: 2011 – 2012

• Hennessy’s Steak and Seafood

Fine Dining Server: 2006 – 2010

References

Name: Phone/Email:

Yvonne Lyngaas 312-***-**** / ******@*****************.***

Owner of Monarch & Company

Andrew (Andy) Hulett 773-***-**** / ******.******@****************.***

Diedre (Deedee) Hulett 312-***-**** / ******.******@*****.***

Parents of children I nanny for

Dr. Jim Berry 630-***-**** / ****@********.***

Dr. Merrilee Guenther 630-***-**** / *********@********.***

Elmhurst College professors

Contact this candidate