Erik Cumston
Blacksburg,VA
Summary
Inquisitive, hardworking, and competent with extensive knowledge and experience in clinical laboratory operations. Punctual, professional, and passionate about working through novel problems. Willing to work solitarily or with others to be successful. Love to help people and to gather new and important information on subjects which affect the quality of life of our communities and ecosystems.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Personal Protective Equipment Whitehead Lab Research
Whitehead Lab Undergraduate Research - Virginia Tech
Blacksburg , VA
08.2023 - Current
- Last semester I explored the relationship between apple orchard management practices and their influence on apple fruit chemistry and microbial diversity, while working on the "Apple Cultivar Study" under Morgan Haymaker.
- Assisted in performing chemical extractions of apple tissues in the lab at different ages per tissue sample.
- The overall purpose of the project is to study the chemical changes in apples as they age.
- Learned how to maintain the apple orchard with the correct tools and all of the physical techniques involved in that.
- Now, I am working on an independent project, the "Cannabinoid Cultivar Study". I am studying the relationship of different cannabinoid strains on Helicoverpa zea.
- Utilizing computer software programs for data entry, analysis, graphing.
- Maintaining accurate records of research data and results.
- I will present research findings at internal team meetings and external conferences and workshops.
- Collaborating with other researchers in developing innovative approaches to improve processes.
- Interpreting complex data sets and presented findings at conferences or meetings.
- Documenting all activities performed in the laboratory according to established guidelines in a lab notebook.
- Preparing reports summarizing experimental findings for review by senior scientists.
- Conducting experiments using specialized laboratory equipment.
- Evaluating existing methods and techniques used in the laboratory for the "Cannabinoid Cultivar Study."
Annie Kay's Associate
Annie Kay's Main Street Market
Blacksburg , Virginia
06.2023 - Current
- I do essentially everything around the store,
- Train new employees on the day-to-day procedures.
- Work the registers.
- Clean the front, back, and bathrooms of the store, via a multitude of different methods: mopping, sweeping, multi-surface cleaner, bathroom cleaner, etc.
- Open and close the store.
- Restock shelves, fridges, and freezers.
- Complete inventory checks of the front and back of the store.
- Count the money in the registers at the end of the day and secure it in the safe.
- Assist with an almost infinite number of different customer requests and problems, via the phone and in person.
- Take customer special orders through the phone or in person.
- Ensure that all items ordered arrived and check the invoices for the orders.
Black Bear Behavior and Foraging Ecology Research
WHAPA Lab - Virginia Tech
Blacksburg , VA
09.2022 - 09.2023
- Worked as an undergraduate researcher in WHAPA Lab on campus at Virginia Tech, under the supervision of Brogan Holcombe.
- Did undergraduate research for the "Black Bear Behavior and Foraging Ecology Research Project," specifically in "Plant Identification."
- Worked 2 hours a day, 5 days a week, and received 3 credits per semester, observing bears in their natural habitat.
- The bears' day-to-day activities are recorded with a camera attached to a collar.
- Analyzed a large collection of these videos which are saved on a database in WHAPA Lab. I observed which plants the bear being studied ate, noted unique characteristics of the plant, and then used that information to identify the plant.
- Then, I inputted this data into a spreadsheet to assist in keeping track of bear activity and diet across Southwest Virginia.
Food Lion Associate
Food Lion
Blacksburg , VA
09.2022 - 09.2023
- Learned how to use the registers, clean, assist customers, restock shelves, and organize carts.
- With every person I met and talked to every day, I learned something new, I really got to know the people in my community and therefore the importance of diversity in a community.
- I have found that it has developed my problem solving skills because every day there is a new problem, something new is learned and my skills are improved.
- The time that I spent in this position has helped me improve my understanding of the importance of diversity of people and ideas in a community, through seeing the importance of diversity in my fellow employees and in the community of people who live in Blacksburg.
- Trained new team members in cash register operation, stock procedures, and customer services.
- Answered customer questions and provided store information.
- Provided customer service support for inquiries, complaints, and returns.
- Performed cash register functions accurately and efficiently.
- Built and maintained relationships with peers and upper management to drive team success.
Assistant Coach
Collington Swimming
Midlothian , VA
04.2015 - 07.2022
- Taught children over the summer from ages 5-18 how to swim competitively.
- Created a positive and fun environment the swimmers.
- Wrote their workouts.
- Organized swim meets and kept them running smoothly.
- This has been the most rewarding and fun job experience that I have ever had as I get to help people directly and see their progress at swim meets.
- I love working with and helping people and children. I will pursue helping others in my future careers.
- Provided feedback to athletes on their performances in practices and competitions.
- Conducted practice sessions and provided instruction to players on technique, strategy, and performance.
- Ran drills and fitness circuits to improve athletes' coordination and skills.
- Assisted coach in organizing practices at home and away.
- Notified head coach of problems with discipline, performance and other decision-making areas.
- Created and utilized training drills to improve team cohesiveness and performance.
- Provided guidance to players on sportsmanship, discipline, nutrition, injury prevention techniques.
- Attended staff meetings to discuss strategies, tactics, and training schedules.
- Aided in developing athletes at varying levels from beginner to elite.
Dining Services
Virginia Tech
12.2021 - 01.2022
- My time at Turner Place was short as I only worked at the end of the semester, but I found that it helped me find a passion for working with people and customer service
- It is extremely fulfilling and rewarding to work in customer service and serve others and I want to continue to serve others in my future occupations.
Chesterfield Food Bank Volunteer
Chesterfield Food Bank
Midlothian , VA
09.2016 - 06.2020
- This was a very valuable experience because I got to meet a lot of new people and it fostered my passion of helping others.
- Loaded up shopping carts with preselected foods and load the carts into the customer's cars.
- Helped Spanish speaking people who came to the food bank with paperwork and other communication issues that were present.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Biological Sciences (EEB)
Virginia Polytechnic Institute
Blacksburg, VA05-2024
High School Diploma -
Cosby High School
Midlothian, VA06-2020
Skills
- Microsoft Excel
- Data Analysis
- Customer Service
- Educational Leadership
- Research Planning
- Sample Preparation
- Data Interpretation
- Experimental Design
- Chemical Handling
- Animal Handling
- Inventory Oversight
- Problem-Solving Aptitude
- Time Management Abilities
- Medical Laboratory Procedures
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Team Building
Languages
- English
- Spanish
Affiliations
- I have played in multiple bands and love playing music: Cello, Piano/Keyboard, Guitar, Drums, Ukulele, Violin, Viola, Bass, and so on.
- Love painting and drawing.
- Love the outdoors, I often go on walks and hikes around the Blacksburg area,
- I have a love for pets and any and all creatures I find outside: insects, birds, and furry things.
Languages
English
Professional
Spanish
Limited
Certification
- Compressed gas cylinders Safety
- Liquid nitrogen Safety
- Autoclave use and Safety
- General Laboratory Safety
- Laboratory Hazardous Waste
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Personal Protective Equipment Whitehead Lab Research
Whitehead Lab Undergraduate Research - Virginia Tech
08.2023 - Current
Annie Kay's Associate
Annie Kay's Main Street Market
06.2023 - Current
Black Bear Behavior and Foraging Ecology Research
WHAPA Lab - Virginia Tech
09.2022 - 09.2023
Food Lion Associate
Food Lion
09.2022 - 09.2023
Dining Services
Virginia Tech
12.2021 - 01.2022
Chesterfield Food Bank Volunteer
Chesterfield Food Bank
09.2016 - 06.2020
Assistant Coach
Collington Swimming
04.2015 - 07.2022
Bachelor of Science - Biological Sciences (EEB)
Virginia Polytechnic Institute
High School Diploma -
Cosby High School
- Compressed gas cylinders Safety
- Liquid nitrogen Safety
- Autoclave use and Safety
- General Laboratory Safety
- Laboratory Hazardous Waste
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