Caterra Leavens

Driven student leveraging studies in biochemistry and molecular biology seeks real-world experience as a biomedical researcher. Offers strong interpersonal and task prioritization skills. Passionate about increasing knowledge to drive growth and needed improvements.

Pre-Professional Health/Biology Peer Advisor

University of Wisconsin Eau Claire - Eau Claire, WI

Dr. Julie Anderson, Associate Professor of Biology

Contact: anderju@uwec.edu

September 2019 - Present

• Help students with making decisions about their biology health related majors or minors
• Provide students with academic policies, procedures, and make appropriate referrals to campus resources
• Conduct one-on-one advising on course selection related to all Biology majors and/or Pre-health, liberal education and liberal education requirements, university requirements, career/graduate school exploration, and referral to campus resources
• Aid students in planning for entrance exams such as the MCAT, DAT, PCAT, etc.

Supplemental Instruction (SI) Leader/Tutor (BIOL221)

University of Wisconsin Eau Claire - Eau Claire, WI

Dr. Audrey Robinson, Director of Academic Skills Center

Adam Freese, Associate Student Services Coordinator

Contact: robinsoa@uwec.edu and freeseaa@uwec.edu

Fall 2020 - present

• Complete and maintain regular SI training
• Attend targeted class to meet students and keep up with the material for the course
• Conduct three hours a week of SI sessions with students to review material from targeted class
• Maintain contact with course instructors regarding SI progress and student difficulties
• Hold office hours and complete SI planning sheets prior to each section for program evaluation

Biology Lab Student Academic Apprentice

University of Wisconsin Eau Claire - Eau Claire, WI

Dr. Crystal Del Valle, Assistant Professor of Biology

Contact: delvalle@uwec.edu

Fall 2019

• Assisted with PCR, agarose gel electrophoresis, isolating DNA, gram staining, agar bacterial plates, molecular genetics labs, etc.
• Aid students in performing lab techniques and procedures correctly
• Analyzed and scored weekly quizzes and laboratory exams

Pre-Professional Health Club (President)

Member: Fall 2018 - Spring 2020

President: Fall 2020 - Present

• Prepare activities for students that help strengthen resumes for future application
• Provide students with pre-health advice and answer student questions regarding application processes
• Arrange bi-weekly meetings to discuss opportunities available to pre-health students
• Participate in graduate medical student panels, MCAT practice questions, etc.

University Honors Program

Spring 2019 - Present

• Organization for highly motivated students who aim to achieve good academic standing throughout college
• Smaller classes of intellectually motivated students
• Engage in small discussions and communicate these discussions in a creative manner

American Physician Scientists Association

-MD/PhD Undergraduate Student Mentoring Program (2020-2021)

Fall 2019 - Winter 2022

• Resource for exploring different MD/PhD programs around the country
• Provides opportunities to strengthen resumes
• Allows for networking between undergraduate students and MD/PhD students

Mayo Clinic Health System Volunteer

Lisa Narveson, Manager of Volunteer Services

Contact: narveson.lisa@mayo.edu

2016 - 2021

• Transport patients to and from appointments
• Aid in communication between families and physicians
• Use the software program, EPIC, to look at scheduling, patient rooms, etc.
• Assist with patient concerns and questions regarding their treatment and care

• Abdrabbo M, Birch CM, Brandt M, Cicigoi KA, Coffey SJ, Dolan CC, Dvorak H, Gehrke AC, Gerzema AEL, Hansen A, Henseler EJ, Huelsbeck AC, LaBerge B, Leavens CM, Le CN, Lindquist AC, Ludwig RK, Reynolds JH, Severson NJ, Sherman BA, Sillman HW, Smith MA, Smith MA, Snortheim MJ, Svaren LM, Vanderpas EC, Wackett MJ, Wozney AJ, Bhattacharyya S, Hati S. “Vitamin D and COVID-19: A review on the role of vitamin D in preventing and reducing the severity of COVID-19 infection.” Protein Sci. 2021 Nov;30(11):2206-2220. doi: 10.1002/pro.4190. Epub 2021 Oct 4. PMID: 34558135; PMCID: PMC8521296.

• American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) 2021 Annual Conference Poster Presentation

-Fall 2021, Online Presentation (3 minutes)

• Celebration of Excellence in Research and Creative Activity (CERCA) Poster Presentation

-University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire, Eau Claire, WI

-Spring 2020 (Online)

-Spring 2021 (Online)

• James R. and Vicki Lord Larson Undergraduate Research Fellowship (2021-2022)

-Spring 2021

• George and Peggy Fleming Pre-Medicine Scholarship

-Spring 2021

-Applicants must have an overall GPA of 3.5 or better and a GPA of 3.5 or better in their science and mathematics courses.

• Johng Lim Scholarship in Experimental Biology

-Spring 2021

-The applicant must write an essay about a life process or phenomenon that has been of special interest to the applicant. The essay must include a historical perspective of the process/phenomenon, its biological significance, and the experimental approaches that may be used to study it further. A refined style of writing in a concise manner and clearly defined biological problem will be the primary criteria for selection of deserving students for this scholarship, in addition to academic merit.

• Robert & Constance Fults Matson Scholarship

-Spring 2021

-This is a merit/financial need-based scholarship awarded annually to an outstanding biology major who will have sophomore, junior or senior standing at the beginning of the upcoming fall semester, shows great promise to be successful in their chosen career field, and intends to enter some field of medicine or education.

• Ralph E. Duxbury Biological Sciences Scholarship

-Spring 2021

-Spring 2020

-Awarded to a biology major who is an exceptional academic student, with a cumulative GPA of 3.85 or greater. Preference is given to a top student who may be leaning toward a career in research or headed toward graduate studies in biology.

• Duxbury High Impact Experience Scholarship

-Spring 2021

-Awarded to biology students who are participating in biology related high impact practice activities and have a GPA of 3.50 or higher.

• “An Examination of Coronavirus COVID-19” Course Certificate

-Summer 2020

-Saint George University

• David and Alice Katz Pre-Medicine Scholarship

-Spring 2020

-Awarded to enrolled pre-medical students who have completed at least 15 credits and have maintained a 3.5 GPA or above.

• Steve and Julie Henseler Biology Scholarship

-Spring 2020

-Provides an annual award to an outstanding biology student studying and conducting undergraduate research in any of the areas of biology. The recipient must be an excellent student academically, as well as in the research area, and be engaged in, or planning, a research project.

• Ed and Beth Hicks Premedical Scholarship

-Spring 2019

• Awarded to enrolled pre-medical students who have completed at least 15 credits and have maintained a 3.5 GPA or above.

Jamie Lyman Gingerich

Associate Professor of Biology

University of Wisconsin Eau Claire

Phillips Science Hall 351 , Eau Claire

715-836-3020

lymanjs@uwec.edu

Julie Anderson

Associate Professor of Biology

University of Wisconsin Eau Claire

Phillips Science Hall 349, Eau Claire

715-836-3860

anderju@uwec.edu

Sanchita Hati

Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry

University of Wisconsin Eau Claire

Phillips Science Hall 445, Eau Claire

715-836-3850

hatis@uwec.edu

Crystal Del Valle

Assistant Professor of Biology

University of Wisconsin Eau Claire

Phillips Science Hall 342, Eau Claire

715-838-4528

delvalle@uwec.edu