Independent research project
Created a model of genetic disease, Chronic Granulomatous, in order to determine if caused by a mutation in pre-mRNA splicing
PI: Jeremy Sanford
Research Experience
Masters of Science in Biology - Walla Walla University, 2025
Bachelors of Science in Biology - University of California, Santa Cruz, 2021
EDUCATION
Toxic RNA Undergraduate Lab - UC Santa Cruz
Independent research project studying diet variability of California Sea Lions using Stable Isotope Analysis.
Volunteer for Dan Costa's lab
Assist in collecting data, including tag resights, drone operation, and administering dye marks
PI: Patrick Robinson
Large Marine Vertebrate Field Lab - UC Santa Cruz
WORK HISTORY
carry out research in the area of biological characterization of botanicals
utilized high-throughput techniques for gene expression and high-content imaging to characterize botanical fractions and pure compounds
worked as part of a team with chemists, bioinformaticians and molecular biologists to address critical questions around botanicals
managed laboratory day to day function
Junior Research Specialist - John MacMillan Biochemistry Lab - UC Santa Cruz
Perform COVID-19 diagnostic testing pursuant to Standard Operating Procedures.
Identify and report any irregular results or properties of the key experimental reagents.
Identify and track issues with samples and isolate points of failure
Accessioning and tracking incoming clinical samples using the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)
Collaborate and contribute to laboratory procedures and CLIA documentation; gather and analyze research and clinical data; prepare and summarize information and / or recommendations, including potential laboratory safety representative functions
Monitor equipment and instrument functions and assist in their maintenance
Assist with logistics between the testing lab and the partner clinical providers
Lab Technician - UC Santa Cruz Molecular Diagnostics Lab
Perform testing on new biochemical assays, software, hardware, and consumable releases and provide feedback to respective groups
Perform common biochemistry assays and other laboratory testing
Data collection and analysis on Ontera’s solid-state nanopore devices using custom software
Research Associate at Ontera - Santa Cruz, CA
Lead kayak tours out of the Santa Cruz harbor
Educated participants on the kelp forest ecosystem
Repaired and maintained camping equipment
Supervised and trained volunteers
Managed digital and hard-copy filing systems
Lead Kayak Guide, Rental Assistant, and Receptionist - UC Santa Cruz Recreation
AWARDS
An Argument to Conduct More Research on the Common Octopus: A small section of a bigger research paper that identified how the common octopus will be affected by climate change along with the scientific and technological advancements that have come from researching octopuses
Don Rothman Endowed Award in First Year Writing
Octopus Facts Hotline: a local text hotline that sends people free octopus facts straight to their phone
Frequent Speaker at LA County Middle Schools about my career in science and a small lecture about cephalopods
Save the Ocean Save the World: a store with products created by me whose profits goes towards non-profits that are committed to restoring and protecting our oceans and educating the public
This website has raised:
$250 or 1 month of squid facts for the Squid Facts Hotline / Skype a Scientist through the Girls Night T-Shirts during Squidtember
2022 total profits raised $300 for Oceana
2023 total profits raised $280 for Oceana
MEDIA
Cephalopod Week with Science Friday in Thousand Oaks, CA - July 2023
Just the Zoo of Us: Podcast Episode - listen here - August 2023
ABC Weekends - Australian Talk Show Guest June 2023
The Wild Life: Podcast episode - listen here - Jan 2024
Seattle Aquarium Lighting Talks - watch here - February 2024
BBC Guest Expert about the viral Oklahoma Octopus Family - April 2024