Eleni Kotsaki

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ELENI KOTSAKI

** ******* ******** acxdtb@r.postjobfree.com Cell: (1-647-***-**** East York, ON M4B 3C5 www.linkedin.com/in/elenakotsaki EDUCATION

Master of Science in Biological Sciences, Plant Science, Oenology & Viticulture 2014 - 2016 Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario Thesis Supervisor: Dr. Andrew G. Reynolds

Thesis title: “Utilisation of Proximal Sensing Technology to map Variability in Ontario Vineyards”.

Scholarships and Awards: Ontario Centres of Excellence Scholarship, International Entrance Bursary, OEVI Alumni Graduate Award, and Fidelis Anatute Kambilige Bursary. Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Biotechnology 2006 - 2012 Agricultural University of Athens, Greece Thesis Supervisor: Dr. Spyridon Kintzios

Thesis title: “Study of the Detectability of the Organophosphate Insecticide ‘Chlorpyrifos’ using Amperometric Cell Biosensor”.

Scholarships and Awards: Erasmus Mundus Scholarship, European Commission.

Rlevant coursework: Cell and Molecular Biology, Genetics, Biochemistry, Molecular Recognition, Plant Cell and Tissue Culture, Bimolecular Analysis, Recombinant DNA Technology, Microorganism Biotechnology, and Molecular Enzymology. LABORATORY EXPERIENCE

GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT January 2014 - June 2016 Cool Climate Oenology & Viticulture Institute, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario

Participated in many collaborative research projects including GC-MS analysis of significant aroma compounds in musts and wines, and sensorial analysis of wines and table grapes.

• Performed anthocyanin and phenol assays, basic grape chemical analysis (TA, Brix, and pH).

• Conducted vineyard fieldwork, manual harvest and pruning, crush, de-stem, press, winemaking. LABORATORY AND FIELD RESEARCH ASSISTANT - ERASMUS MUNDUS SCHOLAR State Institute for Viticulture and Oenology Freiburg, Germany March 2012 - June 2012

• Assisted in projects involving plant biology, physiology, pathology, and protection by utilisation of ELISA and qPCR techniques, to assess activation of transcription factors in the cells and their DNA binding with regard to Esca disease in grapevines.

• Interpreted research findings and summarized data into reports. CELL BIOSENSOR RESEARCH ASSISTANT July 2011 - February 2012 Laboratory of Plant physiology and Morphology, Agricultural University of Athens, Greece

Cultured the animal cell line Vero/N2a (derived from African green monkey kidney) and utilised the Bioelectric Recognition Assay (BERA), a unique biosensor technology that detects the electric response of culture cells to the organophosphate insecticide ‘Chlorpyrifos’.

• Assisted various research projects, set up laboratory exercises, monitored and updated the inventory.

Eleni Kotsaki

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LABORATORY TEACHING EXPERIENCE

TEACHING ASSISTANT - GRAPEVINE BIOLOGY (OEVI 2P99) AND CULTURAL PRACTICES (OEVI 2P45) Department of Biology, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario September 2014 - April 2016

• Taught grapevine biology and cultural practices with Dr. Reynolds, and facilitated the demonstration and implementation of various viticultural practices at vineyard sites.

Performed all lab material preparations for lab sessions, researched and collected grapevine samples essential for quizzes and midterms, coordinated students during lab sessions, and ensured lab safety standards are met.

LAB DEMONSTRATOR - CONCEPTS IN BIOLOGY (BIOL 1F90) Department of Biology, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario May 2014 - July 2015

• Instructed lab sessions about molecular biology, biological energy conversion, plant and animal adaptation mechanisms, genetics and the evolutionary processes.

• Demonstrated and enhanced basic biological practices to students with limited scientific background, motivated student participation during lab sessions, guided students during experiments, while enforced lab safety guidelines.

• Evaluated and graded lab reports, and proctored midterms and exams. LAB DEMONSTRATOR - PRINCIPLES OF MICROBIOLOGY (BIOL 2P98) Department of Biology, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario June 2014 - July 2014

• Instructed lab sessions about diversity, evolution, physiology and genetics of microorganisms with emphasis in applied, medical and environmental microbiology.

• Supervised experiments, demonstrated microbiology techniques (as aseptic technique, plating), maintained safe laboratory conditions and facilitated a collaborative learning environment.

• Assessed student progress through experimental results and reports, and provided constructive feedback.

CERTIFICATIONS & SKILLS

Instrumentation: UV-Vis Spectrometry, centrifuge, GC-MS, microscopes. Mammalian cell culture: maintaining cell lines, freezing-thawing cells. Genetic Engineering: gel electrophoresis, RNA extraction, primers, PCR, ELISA. Microsoft Office Specialist: Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Access, Outlook. Microsoft Windows: 2000, XP, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10. CompuSense, Sensory Evaluation Software.

XLStat, Statistical Analysis Software: Pearson’s Correlations, PCA, Multilinear regression models and k-means clustering - Proficient level.

ArcGIS 10: online course: "Learning ArcGIS Desktop" by ESRI. Proximal Sensing Technology, Spatial Analysis.

Standard First Aid CPR C – AED, June 2015, Ontario Lifesaving Society. Instructional Skills Workshop Certificate, Centre for Pedagogical Innovation, Brock University. Teaching Assistant Certificate, April 2015, Centre for Pedagogical Innovation, Brock University. AODA, Occupational Health and Safety Act, Standard Operating Procedures. Eleni Kotsaki

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WORKSHOPS & SEMINARS

• Q.P.R. (Question, Persuade, Refer) suicide intervention training, May 2016, Human Resources, Brock University.

• Laboratory Chemical Spill Response training, May 2016, Brock University.

• WHIMIS training, Human Resources, June 2015, Health and Safety, Brock University.

• Autoclave Use and Operation, May 2015, Human Resources, Health and Safety, Brock University

• Health and Safety Awareness training and quiz, June 2014, Brock University.

• Health & Safety Orientation, April 2014, Human Resources, Health and Safety, Brock University.

• 2014 Spring Perspectives in Teaching and Learning, March 2014, Centre for Pedagogical Innovation, Brock University.

• Biosafety Essentials, February 2014, Human Resources, Health and Safety, Brock University.

• PowerPoint Communication Skills Workshop, March 2012, State Institute for Viticulture and Oenology, Freiburg, Germany.

• Protection Guidelines in laboratory, February 2012, State Institute for Viticulture and Oenology, Freiburg, Germany.

LANGUAGES

• Greek: Native

• English: Full professional proficiency

• German: Professional working proficiency

RESEARCH CONTRIBUTIONS

• Reynolds, A.G., R.B. Brown, E. Kotsaki, and H.S Lee (2016). Utilization of proximal sensing technology (GreenSeekerTM) to map variability in Ontario vineyards. Conference: Proc. 19th GiESCO Congress, Volume: PP. 593-597

• Reynolds, A.G., N. Robbins, H.S. Lee, and E. Kotsaki (2016). Impacts and interactions of abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellic acid (GA) sprays on Sovereign Coronation and Skookum Seedless table grapes. American Journal of Enology and Viticulture, 67(3), 327-338.

• Reynolds, A.G., R.B. Brown, E. Kotsaki, and H.S Lee (2016). Utilization of proximal sensing technology (GreenSeekerTM) to map variability in Ontario vineyards. Conference: 11th International Terroir Congress, McMinnville, OR.

• Reynolds, A.G., R.B. Brown, M. Jollineau, A. Shemrock, E. Kotsaki, H.S. Lee, W. Zheng (2016). Application of remote sensing by unmanned aerial vehicles to map variability in Ontario Riesling and Cabernet franc vineyards. Conference: 11th International Terroir Congress, McMinnville, OR.

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