Ashley Burditt
Austin,TX
Summary
Skilled Researcher enthusiastic about supporting advancements in environmental health and environmental justice. Passionate about increasing knowledge to drive growth and needed improvements within health equity research. Ready to apply knowledge and eight years of experience in research.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Environmental Health Research Scientist
Texas State Department Of Health Services
08.2022 - 08.2023
- Participate and lead in collaboration on two projects 1) Establish and validate analytical testing method for detection of opioid polysubstances, including fentanyl in unknown environmental samples 2) Examining levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the newborn population, capitalizing on archived dried blood spots originally submitted twice in the first twenty-one (21) days of life
- Establish a state-wide environmental chemical hazard biomonitoring program to the determine of presence/absence of PFAS exposure within the Texas newborn population, intended to include several PFAS compounds, as well as other known environmental contaminants, supplementing newborn screening efforts; extract data from LC-MS/MS into Excel files to establish linearity, inter/intra-day precision & accuracy, limit of detection determination, and total allowable error calculations and graphs; conduct background studies assessing exposure with demographic information (zip code, race, ethnicity, gender, age, health disparities/equity, socioeconomic status, etc.); participate in all stages of method development/validation; participate in routine LRN-C proficiency testing of VOCs, HNPAA, OPNA via ICP/GC LC-MS/MS and heavy metals/arsenic via urinalysis (SCIEX 4500 QTRAP and 5500+ QTRAP)
- Collaborate with and consult the CDC, LRN-C, APHL Opioid Community of Practice, other university or private sector scientists to build and optimize in-house analysis infrastructures to efficiently and accurately analyze clinical and unknown environmental samples and PFAS method validation process; attend annual conferences for APHL and DSHS organizations and complete required quarterly continuing education/training
- Achievements/skills gained= provided foundation for initial stages of PFAS extraction method validation/protocol development; established earliest stages of statewide biomonitoring program
Research and Public Policy Fellow
Science For Georgia
01.2022 - 06.2022
- Work on various projects related to progressive policy formation in the state of Georgia; attempt to improve communication between citizens and politicians using science, encouraging community-based research efforts, and effectively push for policy reform and bill passage with purpose of ensuring environmental equity and justice; advocate for accurate and responsible use of scientific knowledge when forming public policy on behalf of the organization
- Attend local and state government legislative sessions, door to door visits with state house and senate representatives at capitol building, plan conferences, write science memos that translate complex scientific information into a reader friendly context, follow creation and status of bills during current session, and complete company stakeholder analysis
- Achievements/skills= expanded scientific and technical writing library, consulted scientific information to guide health policy referendums, trained other fellows on public health data translation, established connections between Science for GA and state representatives
Laboratory Research Assistant
Emory University
09.2021 - 05.2022
- Conduct laboratory analysis on specimens collected for exposure science studies in LEADER laboratory; research focuses on studies concerning hazardous toxicants, environmental justice, and environmental racism/ disproportionate hazardous exposure in underserved/vulnerable BIPOC communities
- Analyze and interpret results of chemical exposure in urine samples via HPLC; incubate urine samples with various enzymes, extract metabolites with 4-hour wash process, then prepare samples for HPLC; conduct data integration with baseline curves for 6 different pesticide compounds
- Achievements/skills gained= completed over 300 LC-MS/MS extractions, contributed to 100+ hours of statistical data analysis in preparation for paper publication
Chemical Lab Analyst
The Coca-Cola Company
02.2020 - 08.2020
- Protect trademarks by assuring quality of confidential ingredients used in company products worldwide; perform basic and complex testing of materials at higher level of throughput using required microbiological, chemical, analytical methodology according to quality guidelines; perform quality assurance in laboratory setting, responsible for analyzing 80+ different fruits and vegetables from 350+ global vendors (40-60 different ran samples daily), meeting strict data reporting deadlines
- Conduct QC tests to ensure accurate data reporting; laboratory tests conducted include (but not limited too) brix determination, acid percent w/ titrator method, pH determination, spectrophotometer for clarity, viscosity, etc.; evaluate, calibrate, and validate analytical testing instrumentation; Participate in research on and development of new and unproven methods for analysis and identification of ingredients, intermediates and finished products; hourly collection of online water supply and soda production samples for microbial and chemical analysis; measure levels of iron and chlorine in production water and conduct water testing for mold, yeast, E. coli, and other harmful microbial agents
- Ability to use all common software applications to support functions, including creating spreadsheets, quality documents, LIMS. Familiarity with accessing and loading information from databases (SAP, document management systems, SharePoint sites;) knowledge and understanding of Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and Quality Management Systems (QMS). Drive continuous improvement (OE) within lab operations to enhance quality and service while reducing costs.
- Achievements/skills gained= organization overhaul of QC database, ensuring success for internal audits and reducing data entry time by 25%; streamlined data recall system
Research Lab Technician
University Of Central Florida
10.2019 - 02.2020
- Cross-coordinated and supported five undergrad/post-docs with their research experiments in laboratory setting, focusing on heart tissue damage caused from HIV virus and/or supplementing antiretroviral medication, resulting in cardiovascular diseases and dysfunctions
- Responsible for prepping mice tail samples for DNA isolation and genotyping; conducted unsupervised lab work experiments including gel electrophoresis, performing PCR reactions, inoculating cultures, managing mice in lab, western blot tests, nano-dropping DNA, cardiomyocyte manipulation with ART, running autoclave, making buffer solutions, etc.
- Achievements/skills gained= Created organizational framework and updated documentation of entire laboratory inventory, establish a flow process for product ordering and retrieving enzymes from supply; accurately provided the fundamental data for students’ experiments/research
Clinical Research Assistant
ClinCloud LLC
08.2019 - 10.2019
- Routinely conducted initial patient chart review and pre-screened against inclusion/exclusion criteria for phase 1-4 clinical trials, specifically those involved with neurocognitive diseases (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, etc.); use several company databases for study recruitment, calling 50+ patients daily
- Community Outreach/Patient recruitment: Frequently visited clinics and senior homes to meet with medical professionals about participating in local research initiatives; build trust within the local Orlando area, breaking stigma related to aging and disease; manage front desk and greet/check in all patients
- Achievements/skills gained= established community ties with three local nursing/senior homes as future study pools
Clinical Research Coordinator
Florida Department Of Health, Orange County
01.2018 - 09.2019
- Operated within Sunshine Care Center clinic (SCC), primary care for all Ryan White HIV/AIDS clients- executed all aspects of assigned clinical trial HIV research functions including (but not limited to) initial screenings, enrollment/termination, recruitment & consent, submitting ongoing IRB applications and study updates, etc.
- Data extraction from chart review into REDcap database: recording all current medications, red and white blood cell count, viral load, any possible changes in current or newly developing health conditions, noting hospital/emergency visits, and other changes related to individual overall well-being; maintain contact with study participants ensuring they are scheduled for their biannual blood draws at SCC; ensuring clients are always linked to care/retained in treatment
- Achievements/skills gained= Began two new studies, closed one ongoing study, serving 50+ clients; completing all program requirements to maintain valid grantee status; negotiated contracts with University of Florida and the University of Central Florida as a permanent research site
Sustainability Coordinator
Grow Orlando LLC
11.2017 - 03.2018
- Lead group of students (aged 12-15) who wanted to provide free, healthy foods for everyone within racially marginalized communities on the west side of Orlando; taught students about the nutritional value of a variety of fruits/veggies, how to build/plant/maintain large gardens, constructing plumbing systems, instructed on how to research alternative uses for plant-based products, and other skills related to overall care and management of their crops
- Lectured on communication, organizational, emotional, and stress problem solving skills, sustainable agricultural practices, and financial planning through garden management (students were able to sell their produce for money or donate for free)
- Achievements/skills gained= created new intern management program
Supervisor
Crooked Can Brewing Co.
03.2015 - 12.2017
- Key holder duties including maintaining building operations, making deposits with average sales $40K-$60k per week, leading staff of 30+ people, handled customer complaints, establishing cleaning schedules and other hospitality duties
- Achievements/skills gained= In-depth communication/conflict management skills; how to balance personal life, work, stress, and overall time management; established responsibility chart for entire staff
Education
Master of Public Health - Environmental Health And Infectious Disease Ecolog
Emory University
Atlanta, GA05.2022
Bachelor of Science - Environmental Science
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL12.2019
Technical Certificate - Biotechnology
Valencia College
Orlando, FL12.2019
Skills
- Chemical and Molecular Analysis
- Data Collections
- Method Validation
- Project Support
- Experiment Design
- Research and Publication
- Statistical Methodology
- Complex Problem-Solving
- Paper Writing
Timeline
Environmental Health Research Scientist
Texas State Department Of Health Services
08.2022 - 08.2023
Research and Public Policy Fellow
Science For Georgia
01.2022 - 06.2022
Laboratory Research Assistant
Emory University
09.2021 - 05.2022
Chemical Lab Analyst
The Coca-Cola Company
02.2020 - 08.2020
Research Lab Technician
University Of Central Florida
10.2019 - 02.2020
Clinical Research Assistant
ClinCloud LLC
08.2019 - 10.2019
Clinical Research Coordinator
Florida Department Of Health, Orange County
01.2018 - 09.2019
Sustainability Coordinator
Grow Orlando LLC
11.2017 - 03.2018
Supervisor
Crooked Can Brewing Co.
03.2015 - 12.2017
Master of Public Health - Environmental Health And Infectious Disease Ecolog
Emory University
Bachelor of Science - Environmental Science
University of Central Florida
Technical Certificate - Biotechnology
Valencia College
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