Deana Villagomes
Davis,CA
Summary
Motivated, self-directed Graduate Student with exceptional verbal and written communication skills. Invests passion and commitment to achieve corporate vision. Applies analysis, lean methodology and latest technology to lead change and tackle new projects and ideas.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Graduate Student Researcher
Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, UC Davis
03.2022 - Current
- Designed and executed experiments to study the effects of dysfunctional RNA processing on gene expression and DNA stability.
- Interpreted and analyzed research data to draw conclusions on outcomes.
- Developed effective time management strategies that allowed for the successful completion of various research projects while still maintaining academic excellence in coursework.
- Collaborated with fellow researchers to streamline processes and improve overall efficiency in the lab.
- Assisted with writing and editing experimental results for publication in journals.
- Secured funding for research through effective grant writing and presentation skills.
- Mentored undergraduate students, fostering their growth as future researchers and scientists.
- Participated in professional development opportunities to stay informed about advancements within the field.
Teaching Assistant
Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology
09.2025 - 12.2025
- Planned and delivered lectures and course materials to communicate course content and provide up to 200 students with subject matter knowledge.
- Enhanced student comprehension by incorporating visual aids and real-world examples into lectures.
- Documented attendance and completed assignments to maintain full class and student records.
- Checked assignments, proctored tests and provided grades according to university standards.
- Fostered positive learning environment, addressing student concerns and promoting inclusive classroom atmosphere.
Graduate Preparatory Programs Coordinator
UC Davis Graduate Studies
09.2024 - 12.2025
- Provided advanced academic advising for all participants, reviews academic and program progress and counsels on the selection and preparation for admission to Ph.D. programs.
- Advised students with preparing for and securing research placements for summer research on home campus or other UC campus
- Directed the preparation of scholars for oral presentations at conference and symposiums.
- Led and facilitated summer research and professional development seminar during the 8-week summer program
- Introduced test-taking practices and strategies to reduce anxiety and increase reading comprehension skills as it related to the GRE
- Collaborated with other preparatory summer programs to put together community building events and activities,
Teaching Assistant
Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology
01.2025 - 03.2025
- Planned and delivered lectures and course materials to communicate course content and provide up to 200 students with subject matter knowledge.
- Enhanced student comprehension by incorporating visual aids and real-world examples into lectures.
- Documented attendance and completed assignments to maintain full class and student records.
- Checked assignments, proctored tests and provided grades according to university standards.
- Fostered positive learning environment, addressing student concerns and promoting inclusive classroom atmosphere.
High School Outreach Chair
Graduate Student & Postdoctoral SACNAS Chapter at UC Davis
08.2022 - 05.2024
- Established a professional and collaborative relationship with two local high schools and a college preparatory program.
- Developed long-term strategic plans to guide project growth and sustainability.
- Fostered collaboration across departments to streamline project implementation and enhance outcomes.
- Managed financial, operational and human resources to optimize business performance.
- Planned and oversaw meetings in accordance with governing documents.
- Streamlined decision-making processes for increased efficiency and productivity within the organization.
- Mentored new board members, providing guidance on roles, responsibilities, and expectations of the position.
- Implemented feedback system to gather insights from members and improve organizational offerings.
- Represented the organization at public events, advocating for its mission and values in the community.
- Boosted fundraising efforts by implementing innovative online campaigns.
Quality Control Raw Materials Technician
BioMarin
01.2021 - 05.2021
- Assist QC analyst in daily laboratory tasks regarding maintenance, sample processing and data entry.
- Renovated retain sample program to facilitate the management of samples.
- Performed daily floor walks and supervised receive docks to investigate and resolve material issues.
- Streamlined materials management processes through effective communication with collaborative teams during project planning stages, providing input on availability or alternatives as needed.
Assistant/ Tutor
Upward Bound Program
11.2020 - 05.2021
- Assisted students from seven high schools participating in one of the four Upward Bound Programs.
- Implemented creative teaching strategies that made complex concepts more accessible to students.
- Adapted tutoring techniques according to assessment data, ensuring the most effective methods were used for each individual student.
- Served as a mentor for newer tutors, offering advice on best practices for working with diverse student populations.
- Reviewed course materials with students before tests or quizzes, emphasizing key concepts and improving test-taking skills.
- Subjects covered are Chemistry, Physics, Geometry, Algebra 2, Trigonometry/Precalculus, and Calculus.
Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) Tutor
Sonoma State University
01.2020 - 05.2020
- Provided undergraduates with the additional assistance needed to excel in their courses.
- Courses covered were lower division biology, chemistry, and physics.
- Developed interactive STEM activities to present at MESA meetings for topics on test taking and note illustration.
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Department of Biology, Sonoma State University
01.2019 - 05.2020
- Collaborated in the assembly of the Trematomus newnesi transcriptome for future analysis of differential gene expression in response to chronic cellular stresses.
- Executed Western Blots for protein extractions of Trematomus bernacchii tissue to resolve a single band for the protein HSF1.
- Conducted a series of runs to test a variety of antibodies to identify anti-HSF1 antibodies in the antarctic fish.
- Extracted genomic DNA from Trematomus bernacchii tissue to perform nanopore sequencing of long DNA fragments.
- Assisted in designing primers and performing PCR assays to locate heat shock elements for the unsequenced genome of Trematomus bernacchii.
- Amplicons were generated and sequenced for evaluation.
Summer Research Internship, Bodega Marine Laboratory
UC Davis Coastal and Marine Sciences Institute
06.2018 - 08.2018
- Implemented anthrone assays to determine the concentration of carbohydrates in rhizomes of seagrass called Zostera marina.
- Efficiently executed the reactions, and gathered data for the first set of rhizome samples.
- Constructed solar screen shades to mimic the shading of an ulva bloom in the seagrass meadows. Maintain the cleanliness of the seagrass tanks.
- Recreated the layering of an ulva bloom in a tank to measure light reduction with a PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation) sensor.
- Assisted in the collection and transplantation of eelgrass for the next series of temperature water treatment.
- Long Term Algae Diversity Survey; Assisted in surveying the algae population and invertebrate communities on the Bodega Marine Preserve.
Education
B.S. - Molecular and Cellular Biology
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA01.2020
A.S. - Natural Science Honors
Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa, CA01.2018
Ph.D. - Integrative Genetics And Genomics
University of California, Davis
Davis, CA05-2027
Skills
- Laboratory: Next-Generation Sequencing, SDS-PAGE, Western Blotting, Protein Extraction, PCR, DNA Extraction, Agar Gel Electrophoresis, Agar Plate Streaking and Inoculation, Cell culture, Immunofluorescence, Light Microscopy, Aseptic Techniques, Data Collection
- Programming: R (basic)
- Software: GSuite, MS Office Suite
- Additional Skills: Project Management, Budgeting, Strategic Planning, Communication, Teamwork, Staff management, Scientific writing, Literature review, Organizational skills, Task prioritization, Course planning, Customer Service
- Languages: English (native), Spanish (native)
Certification
- Data Science: R Basics Certificate, Harvard University - Sept 2020 - Oct 2020
HONORS & AWARDS
Sonoma State University Dean’s List 2018- 2020, Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Research Stipend 2019, Gertrude and Angelo Franchetti Life Science Scholarship 2018, Santa Rosa Junior College Dean’s Honors 2016- 2018, Extended Opportunity Program & Services (EOPS) Honor Roll 2017, Doyle Scholarship 2016- 2017
UNIVERSITY & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- Data Science: R Basics Certificate, Harvard University (Sept 2020- Nov 2020)
- Sonoma State University: Journal Club, Department of Biology (2019-2020)
- Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) 2019-2020
- Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) 2019-2020
- TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) 2018-2020
- Santa Rosa Junior College 2017-2018
- Santa Rosa Junior College EOPS
PRESENTATIONS AND PANELS
- Guest Speaker, “First generation - latina”, MESA-SSU Youtube Channel, Virtual Talk, Oct 2020
- Panelist, “You Can Do It, Too!”, Upward Bound Program-SSU, Virtual Panel, Nov 2020
- Invited Presentation, “Let’s Talk Failure.”, MESA Mentor Meeting, Rohnert Park, CA, Jan/Feb 2020
Timeline
Teaching Assistant
Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology
09.2025 - 12.2025
Teaching Assistant
Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology
01.2025 - 03.2025
Graduate Preparatory Programs Coordinator
UC Davis Graduate Studies
09.2024 - 12.2025
High School Outreach Chair
Graduate Student & Postdoctoral SACNAS Chapter at UC Davis
08.2022 - 05.2024
Graduate Student Researcher
Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, UC Davis
03.2022 - Current
Quality Control Raw Materials Technician
BioMarin
01.2021 - 05.2021
Assistant/ Tutor
Upward Bound Program
11.2020 - 05.2021
Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) Tutor
Sonoma State University
01.2020 - 05.2020
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Department of Biology, Sonoma State University
01.2019 - 05.2020
Summer Research Internship, Bodega Marine Laboratory
UC Davis Coastal and Marine Sciences Institute
06.2018 - 08.2018
A.S. - Natural Science Honors
Santa Rosa Junior College
B.S. - Molecular and Cellular Biology
Sonoma State University
Ph.D. - Integrative Genetics And Genomics
University of California, Davis