Research Associate

Qualifications Profile

Challenge-driven professional, with experience in laboratory operations, including scientific research and analysis as well as gathering, dissecting, and evaluating specimens and/or tissue cultures.

Core Competencies

Regulatory and Procedure Compliance ~ System and Database Administration

Rapid Conflict Resolution ~ Study Documentation

Education

Master of Science in Biochemistry: 2019

Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA

Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with Specialization in Biochemistry: 2017

Member, Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity (Home Fire Safety Canvassing and Fundraising for American Red Cross)

University of Virginia Charlottesville, VA

Research Experience

Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA

Graduate Student Researcher Jun 2018–May 2019

úDefined the role of interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF-1) in adaptive plasticity of gene regulation in astrocytes as well as identified the mechanism involved in upregulation of genes in astrocytes during inflammation

úPerformed key assigned tasks including culturing primary human astrocytes and GBM cell lines; carrying out quantitative analysis through RT-qPCR; genotyping animals through PCR and DNA electrophoresis; and detecting protein in samples through western blots

úObserved various aspects of the laboratory which included liquid nitrogen levels for storage of important materials and reagent quantity for laboratory experiments

úRendered assistance in documenting data in mice experimentation which included recording of weights and isolating DNA from mouse spinal or brain samples

úStudied experiments similar to thesis project to obtain insight on possible directions to carry out experiments

úParticipated in conferences and presentations with regards to research being performed around in the country in the topic of glial cells

úKeenly assessed positives and negatives of completed research projects in a weekly journal club

University of Virginia Charlottesville, VA

Undergraduate Student Researcher Aug 2016–May 2017

úExecuted site-directed mutagenesis to analyze its effect on catalytic efficiency of an aspartate aminotransferase

úMade use of his-tag purification in isolating protein and conducted western blotting for protein detection

úHeld responsibility in initiating enzyme assays requiring in-depth considerations of protein-substrate-cofactor interactions including consumption of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) as the reaction progressed

úProficiently utilized 3-D modeling tools in identifying amino acids in the active site that were most important in interactions with the substrate

úEvaluated possible mutations in the active site which can maximized catalytic efficiency of the protein while avoiding hindrance of its binding efficiency

úCollaborated with team of peers in organizing a schedule of laboratory activities to reach deadlines and drive the project towards completion

úStreamlined designs of laboratory procedures whenever approaching a technique that was not working as efficiently as intended

úSubmitted data which showed successful increase in catalytic efficiency in a poster session

Professional Experience

Accenture Orlando, FL

Business and Technology Delivery Analyst Oct 2019–Present

úFunction as lead LabVantage laboratory informatics management system support to Johnson & Johnson pharmaceuticals, in charge of overseeing incidents and executing necessary updates to the system

úAdminister an SQL database and provide update to users on current status of the database using complex queries

úReceive training on other laboratory informatics management systems which include LabWare and SampleManager

úShow updates of completed work to team while guiding coworkers on any issues they may be facing with their work by attending daily meetings

úEvaluate tickets to be automated for the system which frees up time for additional roles while addressing needs of the client

úWork closely with multiple teams to address high priority incidents within a short amount of time over bridge calls when systems or servers are down

úSubmitted a presentation to the entire scientific division of Accenture regarding methods of releasing programming updates without shutting a system down through continuous integration and continuous deployment

úProvide support in updating SOPs for Quality Control Team of Accenture’s ALE lab which is used to train new employees

úDrove efforts in reaching deadlines with assigned ticket completions as well as avoiding incident over the expected resolution date

Professional Development

SQL Accenture

Laboratory Informatics Management Systems Accenture

Laboratory Skills Virginia Commonwealth University

Activities

Church Hill Activities and Tutoring

Publications

Journal Article

Gupta, A. S., Biswas, D. D., Brown, L. N., Mockenhaupt, K., Marone, M., Hoskins, A., Siebenlist, U., and Kordula, T. (2019). A detrimental role of RelB in mature oligodendrocytes during experimental acute encephalomyelitis. Journal of Neuroinflammation, 16 (161).

Thesis

Hoskins, A. (2019). The role of IRF1 in the brain and in adaptive responses of astrocytes (Thesis). Virginia Commonwealth University.

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