Education:
University of California, Irvine – Irvine, CA
Bachelor of Science, Chemistry.
Skills:
• 1HNMR Analysis
• Proper Maintenance of Laboratory Equipment (high vacuum pump, rotational evaporators, etc)
• 13CNMR Analysis
• Multi-Step Synthetic Methodology
• Computational Chemistry
• MALDI-TOF Analysis
• Flash Column Purification
• GC/MS Analysis
• TLC Analysis
• ICP-AES, AAS
• Aseptic Technique
• PCR
• Gel Electrophoresis
• Microscopy
• Streaking, Plating, Pouring
• Biological Media Preparation
• Recombinant DNA Experiment
• Maintaining Drosophila Colonies
• Use of Micropipette
• Analytical HPLC
• IR analysis
Experience:
September 2007-May 2008 Industry Experience
Organic Chemist
Full time organic chemist for a start-up pharmaceutical company, Cenomed Biosciences LLC, located in Irvine, Ca.
● Multi-step synthesis (organic reaction set-up following SOPs, writing new SOPs, flash
column chromatography and NMR analysis/other standard spectrographic techniques).
● Conducting research in a GMP/GLP FDA regulated facility.
● Training/managing incoming chemists in the skills necessary to complete synthetic projects.
● Prioritize projects to meet the deadlines expected for certain molecules.
Fall 2006-Spring 2007 UC Irvine
Undergraduate Researcher
Lab of Professor Chris Vanderwal: synthetic methodology, organic synthesis
● Multi-step synthesis (organic reaction set-up following SOPs, writing new procedures, flash
chromatography and NMR analysis/other standard spectrographic techniques.)
● Manipulation of heterocycles.
● Work towards developing a novel route to the synthesis of indole, benzothiophene and
benzofuran.
● Utilization of microwave synthesis.
Summer 2006 UC Irvine Employee
Assistant Researcher III
Lab of Professor Zhibin Guan: synthetic biomaterials, synthesis of biomimetic materials/polymers.
● Multi-step synthesis (organic reaction set-up following SOPs, writing new procedures, flash
chromatography and NMR analysis/other standard spectrographic techniques.)
● Synthesis of novel polymers/biomaterials.
● Testing the tensile strength of synthesized polymers on the Instron instrument.
● Pouring of polymer gels for analysis
Summer 2006 UC Irvine
SURP Fellowship
Lab of Professor Zhibin Guan
● Multi-step synthesis (organic reaction set-up following SOP, writing new procedures, flash
chromatography and NMR analysis/other standard spectrographic techniques.)
● Synthesis of novel polymers/biomaterials.
● Testing the tensile strength of synthesized polymers on the Instron instrument.
● Pouring of polymer gels for analysis
Fall 2005-Spring 2006 UC Irvine
UROP Fellowship:
Undergraduate Researcher
Lab of Professor Zhibin Guan
● Multi-step synthesis (organic reaction set-up following SOP, writing new procedures, flash
chromatography and NMR analysis/other standard spectrographic techniques.)
● Synthesis of novel polymers/biomaterials.
● Testing the tensile strength of synthesized polymers on the Instron instrument.
● Pouring of polymer gels for analysis
Spring 2002 San Francisco City College.
Microbiology Laboratory Assistant
Worked in the microbiology department
● Mixing of agar solutions for cell culture
● Autoclaving biologically contaminated materials
● Pouring of plates for bacterial culture
● Preparation of staining reagents for cells and DNA.
● Aseptic micropipetting of RNA and DNA.
● Maintenance of Drosophila colonies.
● Preparation of stock solutions.
Publications:
Paper (published in JACS communications on 10/31/2007):
Aaron M. Kushner, Vahe Gabuchian, Evan G. Johnson, Zhibin Guan.
Biomimetic Design of Reversibly Unfolding Cross-Linker to Enhance Mechanical Properties of 3D Network Polymers.
J. Am. Chem. Soc., 129 (46), 14110 -14111, 2007
Relevant Coursework:
• Honors Organic Chemistry w/Lab
• Pharmacology
• Genetics and Genomics
• Organic Reaction Mechanisms (graduate level)
• Organometallic chemistry (graduate level)
• Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• Experimental Bio w/Lab
• Advanced Organic Chemistry
Activities/Organizations:
Student ACS
Awards:
Summer Undergraduate Research Program Fellowship (2006)
Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program Fellowship (2006)
Computer Skills:
Proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Chemdraw, Spartan Computational Chemistry, Beilstein Data Query, SciFinder Data Query.