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.

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