Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Projects
Accomplishments
Affiliations
Certification
References
Timeline
Generic

Abby Simmons

Auburn

Summary

Motivated undergraduate researcher with a background in microbial and molecular biology. Aspiring to become a proficient clinical laboratory scientist after graduation. Possesses experience in laboratory techniques, scientific understanding, and the expectation in a competitive lab. Known for adaptability to projects and techniques, openess to learning opportunities, capacity to work independently or collaboratively, and willingness to take initiative.

Overview

6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Undergraduate Researcher

Tollerson Lab
01.2024 - Current
  • Assisted in establishing and organizing laboratory infrastructure, including setup and calibration of equipment in a new lab.
  • Designed and implemented experimental protocols.
  • Collected, processed, and analyzed experimental data from techniques such as gel electrophoresis, density gradient centrifugation, RNA extraction and purification, and ribosome profiling.
  • Prepared standard and customized growth media formulations to support diverse microbial cultivation.
  • Cultured a wide range of species under specialized conditions, including:
  • Hyperthermophilic methanogenic archaea
  • Multiple species of anaerobic archaea and bacteria
  • Multiple species of strictly aerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria
  • Brief experience in working with lettuce (Latuca sativa)
  • Maintained sterile technique and environmental controls to ensure optimal growth.
  • Conducted literature reviews and critical analysis of current research to improve upon experimental protocols.
  • Delivered presentations on independent research projects to peers and faculty.
  • Trained new students on lab techniques and safety procedures.

Waitress

Hammerheads Sports Bar and Grille
05.2023 - 12.2024
  • Managed orders and ensured timely delivery to enhance guest experience.
  • Handled cash transactions accurately and processed credit card payments efficiently.
  • Maintained cleanliness of dining area and adhered to health standards.
  • Assisted other wait staff members in times of heavy customer traffic.
  • Addressed concerns quickly to improve customer experience and escalated issues to management for resolution when necessary.
  • Trained new employees to perform duties.

Cashier

Publix Supermarkets
05.2019 - 12.2023
  • Processed transactions at a register and bagged groceries, while continuing conversation with customers
  • Took orders out to cars and helped unload bags into cars as directed by the customer
  • Provided solutions to customer concerns and promoted overall friendliness to coworkers and customers
  • Performed opening and closing duties including sweeping, mopping, cleaning registers, blocking and restocking products

Education

Bachelor of Science - Microbial, Cellular, And Microbiology - GPA 3.70

Auburn University
Auburn, AL
12.2025

High School Diploma -

North Gwinnett High School
Suwanee, GA
05-2022

Skills

Molecular skills:

  • Sample preparation for experiments such as ribosomal profiling, RNA sequencing, density gradient centrifugation, and nect generation sequencing
  • Plasmid transformation
  • DNA/RNA extraction and purification
  • PCR and gel electrophoresis (Agarose and Acrylamide gels)
  • Spectrophotometry for nucleic acid quantification and cell density

Coding:

  • R/RStudio

Microbial Skills:

  • Aseptic technique in and out of an anaerobic chamber
  • Media preparation
  • Gram staining and microscopy
  • Growth curve data collection and analysis
  • Biochemical testing
  • Identifying contamination

Interpersonal/Organizational Skills:

  • Scientific communication (oral and written)
  • Sharing responsibilities and ideas with other labmates in a respectful manner
  • Adapting to new techniques quickly
  • Balancing multiple experiments with coursework and personal time
  • Resiliance when experiments fail and adjusting protocols accordingly

Projects

Retapamulin and the Identification of Cryptic Ribosome Start Sites in Methanosarcina acetivorans: April 2024- August 2024

  • Explored how the antibiotic, Retapamulin, could be used to identify translation initiation sites in a methanogenic species where initiation sites are commonly non-canonical in a process called Ribo-RET.
  • Presentation at a Molecular Mechanisms Meeting (July 2024)

Understanding the Stringent Response in Methanosarcina barkeri: January 2025-April 2025

  • Subjected a methanogenic archaeal species to starvation stress in order to determine how they respond with their version of a stringent response from a translational perspective. Identify the genes, proteins, and regulation mechanisms participating in the archaeal stringent response.
  • Presented research in various lab meetings.

RNA Translational Response to CLE Peptide Signaling in Asteraceae: May 2025- July 2025

  • Assisted an REU student with the ribosome sequencing portion of her project focusing on how CLE signaling peptides engender translational responses. Focused on different species within the Asteraceae family to determine how plants control stem cell activity.
  • Poster presented at Auburn Research Symposium (July 2025)

Understanding Microbial Competition for Hydrogen in the Rumen: April 2025 - Present

  • Investigate microbial competition for hydrogen and translational responses between Ruminococcus albus (hydrogen producer) and Methanobrevibacter ruminantium (methanogen) to understand how they interact and compete in a co-culture system. Ultimate goal to identify potential strategies for reducing methane emissions and improving dairy yield and animal weight.

Accomplishments

  • Undergraduate Research Fellowship: Summer 2025-Fall 2025
  • Dean’s List: Fall 2022- Spring 2025
  • AP Scholar With Distinction: 2022
  • AP Scholar With Honors: 2020-2021

Affiliations

Tri-Beta Biology National Honors Society 2022-2024

Microbiology Club 2022-2024

Certification

2023:

General Microbiology and Lab (Fall)- B, B

Genetics and Lab (Spring) - A, A

Organic Chemistry I and Lab (Spring) - C, A

2024:

Clinical Microbiology and Lab (Fall) - A, A

Prokaryotic Molecular Genetics (Fall) - A

Immunology (Spring) - A

Statistics for Biological and Health Sciences (Spring) - A

Biochemistry I and Lab (Fall)- B, A

Organic Chemistry II and Lab (Fall) - B, A

2025:

Microbial Physiology (Spring)- A

Methods in Molecular Genetics (Spring) - A

Cell Biology (Spring) - B

Biochemistry II (Spring) - B

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Undergraduate Researcher

Tollerson Lab
01.2024 - Current

Waitress

Hammerheads Sports Bar and Grille
05.2023 - 12.2024

Cashier

Publix Supermarkets
05.2019 - 12.2023

Bachelor of Science - Microbial, Cellular, And Microbiology - GPA 3.70

Auburn University

High School Diploma -

North Gwinnett High School
Abby Simmons