• Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry, Susquehanna University (Selinsgrove, PA), May 2003.
• Accomplishments
  • Graduated magna cum laude with a 3.7 GPA
  • Received Faculty Most Outstanding Biochemistry Student Award, 2003.
  • Beta Beta Beta Biology Honor Society, 2002-2003

Projects

• Undergraduate Biochemistry Laboratory Design (abstract)
• Post-translational Modification of the Survival of Motor Neuron Protein (abstract)

Research Experience

• Dr. Janet Bond-Robinson, Cognition in Chemistry Research Group, 2006 – present
  • Designed and implemented laboratories for a non-majors undergraduate biochemistry course to enhance student ability to transition from the teaching laboratory into “real world” laboratory situations.
• Dr. Ronald Nieman, Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ), 2004 – present
  • Implemented HeLa cell culture and maintenance as a regular part of laboratory activity
  • Designed and carried out experiments related to the determination of SMN post-translational modifications
• Dr. Paul Kreig, The University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 2004
  • Isolated RNA and used Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction Experiments to identify proposed target genes of the Apelin protein.
• Dr. Carol Gregorio, The University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 2003
  • Became familiar with yeast 2-hybrid experiment, primary cell culture maintenance, eukaryotic cell transfection, and immunofluorescence techniques.
• Dr. Margaret Peeler, Susquehanna University (Selinsgrove, PA), 2002 – 2003
  • Extracted RNA from L. pictus sea urchin embryos
  • Identified patterns of Wnt8 gene expression at various stages of embryonic development
  • Became familiar with RT-PCR and cloning techniques
• Dr. Ronald Nieman, Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ), 2002
  • National Science Foundation – Research Experience for Undergraduates Fellowship
  • Expressed, extracted and purified recombinant protein from E. coli for structural determination using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
• Dr. Tammy Tobin-Janzen, Susquehanna University (Selinsgrove, PA), 2001
  • Maintained bacterial colonies using sterile technique
  • Performed physiological and genetic experiments to identify thermophilic bacteria while becoming familiar with DNA extraction, Polymerase Chain Reaction, and DNA sequencing techniques

Teaching Experience

• Teaching Assistant – General Chemistry, Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ), 2005 – a2006.
• Teaching Assistant – Cell Biology, The University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 2004.
• Teaching Assistant – Cell and Organismal Biology Laboratory, Susquehanna University (Selinsgrove, PA), 2001 – 2003.
• Teaching Assistant – Organic Chemistry Laboratory, Susquehanna University (Selinsgrove, PA), 2001.

Presentations

• Anna Dechtiaruk, Becki M. Bert**, and Margaret T. Peeler. Molecular Characterization of Wnt8 in Sea Urchins (poster). 17th Annual National Conference for Undergraduate Research (NCURฎ), The University of Utah (Salt Lake City, UT), March 2003. (**maiden name)

Service

• Chemistry Graduate Student Council Treasurer, Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ), 2006 – present
• Graduate Student Representative to the Chemistry Graduate Programs Committee, Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ), 2006 – present.
• Graduate Student Representative to the Chemistry Advisory Committee, Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ), 2006 – present.
• Volunteer mentor for the Study Buddy Youth Mentoring Program, Susquehanna University (Selinsgrove, PA), 2001 – 2003.