Assistant Representative

EDUCATION

Northwestern University, Evanston, IL – September 2009 – June 2013 (expected)

• Bachelor of Arts in Evolutionary and Developmental Biology, Minor in Hebrew Studies

• Cumulative GPA 3.47/4.0

• Concentrations: Evolutionary and Developmental Biology, Stem Cells and Cancer, Circadian Gene Regulation

HONORS/AWARDS

Academic Awards

Dean’s List, 2011, 2012

Biological Sciences Honors Thesis, 2012-2013

Dorothy H. Blazek Educational Endowed Scholarship, 2011-2012

J. G. Nolan Endowed Scholarship, 2011-2012

Women’s Educational Aid Association Scholarship, 2009-2013

Armin K. Taus Endowed Scholarship, 2009-2010 Athletic Awards

First Team All-American Honors, 2012

Big Ten Distinguished Scholar Honors, 2012

Hilton Garden Inn Featured Athlete, 2011, 2012

Wildcat Scholar-Athlete, 2011

Academic All-Big Ten Honor, 2010, 2011

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Center for Sleep and Circadian Biology, Honors Thesis, Evanston, IL August 2012 – Present

• Identified the mechanisms linking sleep deprivation and metabolic degradation of barrier proteins of the liver.

• Determined the interaction of metabolic proteins with clock proteins of the circadian cycle in response to sleep deprivation.

• Examined the role of circadian shifts in the acceleration of cancerous colon polyp formation in APC knockout mice.

Center for Sleep and Circadian Biology, Independent Researcher, Evanston, IL September 2009 – Present

Sleep, Circadian Rhythms, Metabolism, Gastrointestinal and Endocrine Physiology under Dr. Fred Turek.

• Identified the role of the circadian phase of food consumption in weight gain

• Identified the mechanisms that determine susceptibility of intestinal hyper-permeability of luminal bacterial products

• Presided over mice handling, glucose tolerance tests, and tissue collection with each mice cohort

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

Northwestern University Varsity Fencing Team, Team Captain and Member Fall 2009-Present

• Elected as team captain by teammates and coaches in Junior/Senior year

• Received First Team All-American status and won Midwest Fencing Conference Championship, 2012

• Selected as Northwestern University’s representative at the NCAA Championships, 2011, 2012

• Selected as representative for Northwestern University, Team USA at the Korean Elite Fencing Invitational, 2011, 2012

Northwestern University PURPLE Peer Mentor, Counselor and Member Fall 2010-Present

• Served as a mediator to strengthen relationship between coaches and players

• Served as a resource on the team who is trained in various health and wellness topics and communication skills

• Organized life skills sessions focusing on effective leadership, organization, and time-stress management

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Teacher’s Assistant for Undergraduate Biology Laboratory Courses September 2012 – Present

• Presided over undergraduate experiments of transmission genetics and molecular biology

• Facilitated undergraduate experimental design and fostered proper scientific technique in the laboratory

• Established laboratory objectives through weekly team meetings to ensure progress of the experiment

PUBLICATIONS

K. Summa, R. Voigt, K. Cavanaugh, M. Shaikh, Y. Tang, M. Vitaterna, C. Forsyth, A. Nusrat, F. Turek, A. Keshavarzian. (2012) Disruption of the Circadian Clock Impairs Intestinal Barrier Integrity and Promotes Alcoholic Liver Disease via Dysregulation of Tight Junction Proteins. Science. Submitted.

K. Cavanaugh. (2012) Disruption of circadian clock and its ramifications on cognitive flexibility and neuronal remodeling. Senior Honors Thesis, Northwestern University, Department of Neurobiology.

ADDITIONAL SKILLS

Language: Conversational in English/Hebrew

Laboratory - Trained in genetic analysis (PCR, Immunohistochemistry, Karyotyping, etc), mouse handling, necropsy

Computer - Proficient in Microsoft Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel), Pinnacle Software for Sleep Scoring

Contact this candidate