Engineering Assistant

Mercedes C. Morales

EDUCATION

Rutgers University, Biomedical Engineering Department, Piscataway, NJ

PhD Candidate

Dissertation: “Development of Microfluidic Platforms for DNA Purification via Phenol Extraction “. Advisor: Dr. Jeffrey Zahn. Dissertation defense expected June 2011

Rutgers University, Biomedical Engineering Department, Piscataway, NJ

Master of Science 2008

National University of La Pampa, School of Engineering, General Pico, Argentina

BS Electromechanical Engineering, concentration Industrial Automation 2005

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCE

Biomedical Engineering Department, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ

Research Assistant (2007-Present) Advisor: Dr. Jeffrey Zahn

• Demonstrated enhanced droplet-based microfluidic DNA extraction using organic solvent.

• Investigated DNA manipulation and concentration by eletrokinetic forces.

• Trained and guided undergraduate and graduate students in cleanroom and bench-top procedures,

Mechanical Department, National University of La Pampa, General Pico, Argentina

Undergraduate and Graduate Research Assistant (2004-2005) Advisors: Dr. Rogelio Hecker and Dr. Valeria Gessaghi.

• Generated electrical and mechanical models for positioning control of a XY machining table.

• Implemented optimal control algorithms with compensation of disturbance in positioning control.

Balseiro Institute, Bariloche, Argentina

Undergraduate Servomechanisms Class Project (2003) Advisor: Andrés Etchepareborda

• Developed algorithm C language for data acquisition and signal processing.

• Performed system identification analysis and designed positioning control of a XY table.

AWARDS AND HONORS

Fulbright Scholar Fellowship, Rutgers University, 2006-2008

COMPUTER SKILLS

MATLAB, Simulink, AutoCAD, COMSOL, ImageJ, C programming.

MICROFABRICATION SKILLS

Photolithography, Soft Lithography, Oxygen Plasma Treatment, Physical Vapor Deposition Sputtering, Wet Etching Proce-dures.

LABORATORY SKILLS

Bacterial Transformation and Culture, DNA Extraction Procedures, DNA Gel Electrophoresis, Protein Quantification Assays, Spectrophotometry Analysis, Enzymatic Restriction Cutting.

JOURNAL AND CONFERENCE PUBLICATIONS

• M. C. Morales, J. D. Zahn. “Continuous microfluidic-based DNA concentration and manipulation by balancing transverse electrokinetic forces” (in preparation).

• M. C. Morales, J. D. Zahn. “Droplet Enhanced Microfluidic-based DNA Purification from Bacterial Lysates via Phe-nol Extraction”, Microfluidics and Nanofluidics, 2010, 9:1041-1049.

• M. C. Morales, J. D. Zahn."Development of a Microfluidic Module for DNA Purification from Bacterial Lysates via Phenol Extraction ", In Proceedings of Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences (uTAS 2009), Jeju, Korea, 2009

• M. C. Morales, J. D. Zahn."Development of a diffusion limited microfluidic module for DNA purification via phenol extraction. In Proceedings of the ASME-IMECE, IMECE 2008-68086, Boston, MA, 2008.

• M. C. Morales, R. L. Hecker, D. Pelusso, G. Flores."Optimal Control with Compensation of Disturbance in Positioning of Machine Tools", XI Conference of Information Processing and Control, Rio Cuarto, Argentina, 2005.

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ

ASADO Argentine Student Association at Rutgers University (Secretary 2007, Vice-president 2008 and President 2009)

• Inspired, coordinated and launched social, cultural and charity events to promote Argentinean culture and traditions

National University of La Pampa, General Pico, Argentina

Solidarity Program: Joining the University with the Community (2001)

• Encouraged and assisted elementary school students in Math learning

SEMINAR AND WORKSHOP ATTENDANCE

• Fulbright Science and Technology Enrichment Seminar, San Jose, CA, 2007.

• Introduction to Microtechnology and Microfluidics for Biology and Medicine Workshop, Center of Engineering in Medicine (CEM), Boston, MA, 2007

PROFESSIONAL AND STUDENT MEMBERSHIP

• SLAS Society for Laboratory Automation & Screening

• IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

• AAAS American Association for the Advancement of Science

• BESS BioEngineering Student Society at Rutgers University

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