Chemical Engineer

Kaitlyn Vap

*******.***@*****.*** 850-***-****

Chemical Engineer seeking a position in the pharmaceutical/biomedical industry to develop biomedical engineering solutions that enhance the field of medicine and improve patient care. Education

Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, GPA 3.7 May 2020, University of Wyoming Skills Summary

Technical: Matlab, SolidWorks, Python, Microsoft Office, and ImageJ Personal: Leadership, Public Speaking, Self-Motivated, and Organized Professional Experience

Biomedical Engineering Research Assistant: Apr 2019 – Present Dr. Jared Bushman – University of Wyoming, School of Pharmacy

• Earned Idea Networks for Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) fellowship to research the immunosuppressive properties of regulatory T-cells. Research was motivated by the need to eliminate the use of systemic immunosuppressants; they are used to prevent patients from rejecting allographic tissue, but carry excessive costs and risks to patients’ health. We sought to develop a localized treatment solution – to eliminate collateral damage to patients’ organs/bodily systems that occur with systemic immunosuppressants.

• Teamed with one graduate and two undergraduate students; prepared and led 20+ experiments that focused on microinjecting regulatory T-cells into localized surgical sites (i.e., peripheral nerve allografts). The aim of this procedure was to employ the localized treatment protocol to mitigate the patients’ rejection of a nerve transplant (i.e., suppress the immune response by delivering regulatory T-cells locally rather than relying on harmful, systemic immunosuppressants).

• Conducted observations over a six-month period. Results suggested regulatory T-cells did elicit a localized immunosuppression response for peripheral nerve transplants, which paved the way for further research in this area. Materials Science Research Assistant: Sept 2016 – June 2019 Dr. Patrick Johnson – University of Wyoming, Chemical Engineering Dept.

• Sought out freshman year to conduct research on the structural properties of coal to produce a pure source of graphene, with the aim of developing a process that could be scaled to industry and reduce graphene production costs.

- Worked alongside two graduate students and one undergraduate student to compile stock samples of graphene for further processing; individually responsible for generating over 150 grams of graphene out of 400 grams of stock.

• Awarded NASA Space Grant to carryout laser patterning research on thin films of graphene for space-based applications.

- Assisted two graduate students in the development of novel tools and experimental techniques to extract material properties of graphene for the purpose of characterizing the conductivity of the materials following laser patterning. Medical Experience

Personal Medical Assistant (12 hrs/week): Apr 2019 – Present Rob Vogel, Independent Living – Laramie, WY

Providing toiletry, bathing, dressing, and general quality of life assistance to quadriplegic patient. Patient Caregiver (Volunteer, 2 hrs/week): August 2018 – Present Hospice of Laramie – Laramie, WY

Providing comfort and compassion to patients and their families; sing, read, play games, etc. to enhance the quality of life for patients during their last days/weeks of life.

Physician Shadowing: May 2018 – August 2018

Ivinson Memorial Hospital – Laramie, WY

Ambitiously accrued shadow experience across multiple specialties (obstetrics, gynecology, neurology, cardiology, radiation oncology, and emergency medicine). Gained insight into integrating biomedical engineering innovations within a hospital to improve patient care.

Leadership/Scholarships

Tau Beta Pi, Vice President

Mortar Board, Senior Honor Society

College of Engineering and Applied Sciences,

Ambassador

Academic Appeals Panel, Chair

Women’s Club Lacrosse, Treasurer and Athlete

Hathaway Scholar

Honors Scholar

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