Biology Scientist

Tiffany Benzine

**** ****** **., ***. ****, Morrisville, NC 27560

757-***-****, e-mail: ***********@*****.***

EDUCATION________________________________________

•Christopher Newport University, Newport News, VA

Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts, 1992-1996

•Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA

Pre-med undergraduate Biology (no degree), 1996-1999

•Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA

Master of Science in Biology, 2000-2005

•Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA

Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences, 2008-2011

WORK EXPERIENCE

________________________________________

Research Technician II, Duke Human Vaccine Institute (March 2012 - current)

QA/QC Lab

•Adhere to GLP and standard operating procedures

•Perform daily QA/QC checks on 54 freezers, and equipment: ViCell, flow hoods, incubators and hemacytometer

•Use of LDMS sample inventory system in receiving and shipping samples

•Assist in shipment of samples in-house, nationally and internationally

ELISA Lab

•Perform 384-well ELISA assays

•Prepare buffers, stock supplies

•Assist in shipment of antibodies/antigens

•Maintain laboratory notebook

•Follow established policies and procedures

Research Assistant, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Radiation oncology department (June 2011-February 2012)

•Evaluating performance of irradiated and control Wistar rats on Barnes Maze behavioral assay apparatus

•Compiling and organizing Barnes Maze data via Microsoft Excel

•Certified as radiation worker I at Brookhaven National Laboratory, NY

•LC-MS analysis of proteins in rat hippocampus (in control vs. irradiated rats) and cell lines (control vs. irradiated cells)

•Review protocols and standard operating procedures - recommend changes when necessary

•Participated in preparation for laboratory inspections

Research Assistant, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Proteomics department (August 2008-May 2011)

•Evaluated human kidney cancer samples for unique protein biomarkers by use of Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Mass Spectrometry Imaging

•Used Bruker Daltonics software Flex Imaging and ClinProTools for analysis of differential peaks in tumor vs. normal kidney tissue

•Used LC-MS for identification of potential kidney cancer biomarkers

•Experience with RT-PCR, ELISA and miRNA, DNA and protein isolation techniques

•Experience with cell culture techniques and aseptic technique

•Participated in preparation for laboratory inspections

Administrative Assistant, Lions Medical Eye Bank (May 2008-February 2011)

•Gave educational tours of the eye bank to Lions Club members

•Participated in correspondence between donor families and recipients

•Gave educational presentations about the eyebank to students (both inside and outside of the eyebank)

•Performed annual chart audits

Laboratory Coordinator (Certification: CEBT – Certified Eye Bank Technician), Lions Medical Eye Bank (May 2005-October 2007)

•Determined human donor tissue suitability for transplant or research by use of specular and slit lamp microscope

•Evaluated donor suitability for research or transplant through review of medical chart

•Dissected human eyes utilizing aseptic technique for use as transplant and research tissue

•Participated in preparation for FDA inspections

•Performed annual chart audits

•Involved with packaging and local/national/international shipping of human corneas and eyes

Research Assistant, Old Dominion University, Entomology Laboratory (August 2000-June 2005)

•Conducted behavioral assays involving ticks, bed bugs and kissing bugs, focusing on attractants and repellants

•Bred ticks on rabbits (nymphal stage to adult) and rats (larval stage to nymphs)

•Dissected tick brains, ovaries and testes using dissecting microscope for proteomic analysis

•Conducted gel-based analysis of proteins found in tick testes, brains and ovaries

SKILLS________________________________________

Computers- PC/Mac, FileMaker Pro, Microsoft Office, Bruker Daltonics software: Flex Imaging, Flex Control, Flex Analysis

Laboratory- Use of Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Mass Spectrometer; application of Mass Spectrometry techniques in the isolation, identification and characterization of proteins; Western blotting; SDS-PAGE; DNA, RNA and protein isolation; qPCR; RT-PCR; ELISA; cell culture; cryotome; fine dissection utilizing dissecting microscope; aseptic technique; safe-handling of human tissue and blood; also behavioral assays requiring handling of rats

Activities/Achievements________________________________________

•Treasurer, Biology Graduate Student Organization, EVMS, 2009-2010

•Attended American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2010 – April 17-21, Washington DC

•Poster presented at American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2010: “Detection of prostatic fluid micro-RNA species associated with prostate cancer,” Holly B. Lewis, Tiffany A. Benzine, Raymond S. Lance, Richard R. Drake, Aurora E. Kerscher. Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA

•Presented with Lions Club, District 24, annual award for “continued dedication” with the Lions Medical Eye Bank, August

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