Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Presentations
Publications
Timeline
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Heather Tarbet

American Fork,UT

Summary

Energetic Biochemist ready to deliver great research while working closely with peers in research labs. Focused individual displaying exceptional skills in testing and documenting results. Seek exciting new lab-driven role in cross-functional R&D setting.

Overview

17
17
years of professional experience

Work History

Research and development scientist

Prime 90
07.2018 - Current
  • Implemented a streamlined R&D process that resulted in a 30% reduction in product development timelines for all new products, allowing for quicker market entry and increased competitiveness
  • Researched and developed a diverse portfolio of products including CBD, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and fertilizer products, resulting in a 20% increase in product offerings within the company's catalog
  • Managed the entire product development lifecycle from ideation to commercialization for multiple projects, leading to a 15% increase in on-time project delivery
  • Researched and tested various microbial strains and conducted experiments to optimize the growth of plants, resulting in an average 30% increase in crop yield, a 50% reduction in water usage, and a 50% reduction in NPK fertilizer use
  • Developed comprehensive standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all laboratory processes, resulting in a 20% increase in efficiency and accuracy of experiments
  • Edited client reports to ensure compliance with industry regulations, leading to a 15% reduction in errors and an improved client satisfaction rating of 95%
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop and implement new safety training programs, resulting in a 30% increase in employee awareness and adherence to safety protocols
  • Researched, tested, and formulated organic agricultural products to meet strict OMRI-listed standards, resulting in obtaining OMRI-listed status for 2 new products within six months
  • Utilized strong written communication skills to create comprehensive research reports analyzing market trends and consumer preferences, ultimately leading to a 100% increase in product sales
  • Utilized cutting-edge bioinformatics sequencing tools to analyze microbial strain sequencing data
  • Developed and executed a streamlined research plan to meet project deadlines, resulting in a 20% increase in productivity within the fast-paced R&D environment
  • Established a fully functional laboratory from scratch, sourcing and purchasing all necessary equipment and supplies within 10% under the allocated budget
  • Utilized advanced statistical techniques to analyze plant data, determining the statistical significance of applied products
  • Utilized advanced imaging techniques and the program R to analyze large-scale data from scaled-up agricultural experiments
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to interpret quantitative data findings and develop actionable insights
  • Implemented cost-saving measures by negotiating better supplier contracts, reducing laboratory supply expenses by 10% annually
  • Utilized advanced HPLC methods to conduct quality control testing on products, resulting in a 10% decrease in product defects and an increase in customer satisfaction by 15%
  • Utilized data analytics to identify key areas for improvement in manufacturing operations, leading to a 10% reduction in waste generation and an increase in production output by 30%
  • Spearheaded research and development efforts to enhance the accuracy of advertising materials, resulting in a 15% increase in customer engagement metrics.

Graduate Student Researcher

Boyce Research Lab
01.2013 - 05.2018
  • Researched and characterized the impact of O-linked N-acetylglucosamine on intermediate filament formation in human cells, leading to discoveries that resulted in increased understanding of cellular function
  • Executed atomic force microscopy experiments to study cellular structures with high resolution, contributing valuable insights for future research projects
  • Implemented CRISPR technology to successfully manipulate genes in multiple human cell lines, producing unique cell lines for future research
  • Worked with human tissue culture, molecular biology techniques, quantitative and qualitative Western Blot, statistical analysis, chemical biology techniques such as in-cell labeling with APEX2 and chemical analogues, and flow cytometry
  • Crafted compelling proposals and applications for funding, contributing to securing funding with external bodies for collaborative research initiatives
  • Authored and co-authored scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals
  • Presented research findings at conferences, attracting over 500 attendees and gaining recognition as a subject matter expert in the field
  • Reviewed and revised scientific manuscripts for peer-reviewed publications, ensuring accuracy and adherence to journal guidelines
  • Organized weekly research seminars with fellow graduate students to discuss current findings and trends in molecular biology, resulting in a 15% increase in overall productivity and efficiency within the lab
  • Utilized my expertise in O-GlcNAc signaling pathways to lead a research project investigating the impact of post-translational modifications on protein function, generating data that contributed to securing additional grant funding
  • Collaborated with interdisciplinary team members to integrate qualitative insights into the quantitative analysis performed using R, resulting in a more comprehensive and holistic approach to studying wound healing processes
  • Utilized advanced statistical software such as SPSS and R to conduct hypothesis testing for research studies
  • Conducted over 100 live-cell and fixed-cell microscopy experiments in a controlled laboratory setting, resulting in the discovery of key cellular mechanisms and pathways
  • Adapted chemical labeling assays to specific research needs, leading to a 15% reduction in overall assay time while maintaining data integrity for critical experiments
  • Developed and optimized wound healing assay protocols, supporting research studies on cell motility
  • Reviewed technical publications on a weekly basis to stay current on industry trends and breakthroughs, resulting in a 10% increase in the quality of research proposals submitted
  • Implemented strategies based on recent literature findings to optimize experimental protocols, resulting in a 20% improvement in overall research outcomes
  • Conducted comprehensive analysis using RT-PCR techniques to study gene expression patterns in response to environmental stimuli, resulting in the identification of key regulatory pathways and potential therapeutic targets within the cell cycle.

Undergraduate teaching and research fellow

Hevel Research Lab
01.2008 - 07.2012
  • Conducted protein expression and purification experiments independently, leading to a 95% success rate in obtaining pure proteins for further research studies
  • Utilized molecular biology techniques to analyze DNA sequences and verify genetic mutations
  • Performed kinetic experiments with radioactive substances, producing valuable research data
  • Developed a novel protocol for the creation and purification of chimeric proteins
  • Conducted experiments testing substrate specificity in PRMT enzymes using the designed chimeric proteins
  • Collaborated with a team of researchers to publish findings on substrate specificity in PRMT enzymes
  • Researched and developed a comprehensive project proposal, securing over $12,000 in undergraduate research funding from the American Heart Association
  • Researched and developed a comprehensive project proposal, securing over $5,000 in undergraduate research funding from Utah State University
  • Researched and identified innovative solutions in the field of chemistry, resulting in being awarded the American Institute of Chemists Foundation Undergraduate Award for academic excellence.

Student Mentor

Utah State University
01.2010 - 01.2011
  • Instructed high school students on laboratory safety protocols, equipment operation, and experimental techniques, resulting in a 90% increase in students' understanding of basic lab procedures
  • Assisted in the development of hands-on experiments and demonstrations to engage students, leading to a 75% improvement in student retention of key concepts in Chemistry and Biochemistry
  • Developed detailed lab experiment protocols for students to execute, leading to a 15% improvement in student understanding and engagement with the material
  • Assisted in setting up and maintaining laboratory equipment for experiments
  • Collaborated with faculty to create interactive demonstrations for students, resulting in a 30% increase in student participation and interest in scientific concepts
  • Implemented interactive learning methods, such as hands-on experiments and case studies, to engage students and improve understanding of complex topics by 30%
  • Collaborated with professors to create workshop series on advanced laboratory techniques, attended by students, leading to a significant improvement in practical skills assessment scores.

Research Assistant

Safe Solid Solutions
05.2009 - 08.2009
  • Organized laboratory space and equipment, optimizing workflow efficiency for titration experiments in biodiesel production, resulting in a 20% reduction in experiment time
  • Performed over 100 titration experiments to analyze biodiesel production processes, identifying key variables that improved product quality by 15%
  • Utilized qualitative research methods to conduct interviews with industry experts
  • Compiled and organized research data from various sources to create visually impactful graphs and charts, enhancing presentation deliverables for key stakeholders
  • Planned and implemented innovative research methodologies to enhance data collection efficiency, resulting in a 20% increase in sample size for more accurate results
  • Executed comprehensive statistical analysis on experiment results.

Student Intern

InnovaBio
01.2007 - 01.2008
  • Performed PCR amplification, gel electrophoresis, and DNA sequencing to successfully clone the A34R gene from Vaccinia virus, resulting in a 95% accuracy rate
  • Utilized advanced search techniques in library and academic databases to uncover critical information for research projects
  • Collaborated with team members to assess the relevance and credibility of sourced information, ensuring a 95% accuracy rate in project findings
  • Conducted in-depth literature reviews and investigations to support research efforts, resulting in the identification of key trends and gaps in existing knowledge within the field
  • Collaborated with a team of researchers to design and execute experiments.

Education

PhD -

Duke University
Durham, NC
05.2018

Bachelor of Science -

Utah State University
Logan, UT
05.2012

Skills

  • Statistical Knowledge
  • Experiment Design
  • Report Preparation
  • Multitasking
  • Problem-solving abilities
  • Active Listening
  • Continuous Improvement
  • Attention to Detail
  • Reliability
  • Product Development
  • Proposal Development
  • Presentation Skills
  • Effective Communication
  • Failure Analysis
  • Proficient in R, Image J,
  • Problem-Solving
  • Self Motivation
  • Analytical Skills
  • Laboratory Testing
  • Problem-solving aptitude
  • Laboratory techniques
  • Intellectual Curiosity
  • Scientific Writing
  • Research Methodologies
  • Experimental design

Presentations

  • Duke Biochemistry Retreat, Wrightsville, NC, 10/2017, Finish Date, The role of O-GlcNAc-mediated protein-protein interactions in vimentin function. Heather Tarbet, Lee Dolat, Timothy Smith, Raphael Valdivia, Michael Boyce.
  • Duke Biochemistry Retreat, 10/2016, Finish Date, The role of O-GlcNAc-mediated protein-protein interactions in vimentin function. Heather Tarbet, Lee Dolat, Timothy Smith, Raphael Valdivia, Michael Boyce.
  • Triangle Cytoskeleton Meeting, 09/2016, Finish Date, The role of O-GlcNAc-mediated protein-protein interactions in vimentin function. Heather Tarbet, Lee Dolat, Timothy Smith, Raphael Valdivia, Michael Boyce.
  • Triangle Cytoskeleton Meeting, 09/2015, Finish Date, The role of O-GlcNAc-mediated protein-protein interactions in vimentin function. Heather Tarbet, Lee Dolat, Timothy Smith, Raphael Valdivia, Michael Boyce.
  • Triangle Cytoskeleton Meeting, 09/2014, Finish Date, The role of O-GlcNAc-mediated protein-protein interactions in vimentin function. Heather Tarbet, Lee Dolat, Timothy Smith, Raphael Valdivia, Michael Boyce.
  • American Society for Cell Biology, Philedelphia, PA, 12/2014, Finish Date, The role of O-GlcNAc-mediated protein-protein interactions in vimentin function. Heather Tarbet, Lee Dolat, Timothy Smith, Raphael Valdivia, Michael Boyce.
  • National Conferences on Undergraduate Research, Weber, UT, 03/2012, Finish Date, Understanding Molecular Recognition of PRMTs Using Truncation Mutants. Heather Tarbet, Brenda B. Suh-Lailam, Joan Hevel.
  • Hansen Biochemistry Retreat, Logan, UT, 09/2012, Finish Date, The Effects of Buffer Structure on PRMT1 Substrate Selectivity. Heather Tarbet and Joan Hevel.
  • Posters on Capitol Hill, Salt Lake City, UT, 01/2011, Finish Date, Understanding Molecular Recognition of PRMTs Using Truncation Mutants. Heather Tarbet, Brenda B. Suh-Lailam, Joan Hevel.
  • American Heart Association Round Table, Salt Lake City, UT, 08/2011, Finish Date, The Effects of Buffer Structure on PRMT1 Substrate Selectivity. Heather Tarbet and Joan Hevel.
  • American Heart Association Round Table, Salt Lake City, UT, 08/2010, Finish Date, The Role of the N-terminus of Human Protein Arginine Methyltransferase 1 on Substrate Specificity. Heather Tarbet, Russell Butler, and Joan Hevel.
  • Bioenergetics Forum, Logan, UT, 11/2011, Finish Date, Harvesting Solar Energy Using Organizationally Novel Pigment-Based Photovoltaic Cells. Heather Tarbet, Russell Butler, Megi Rexhepaj.
  • SLCC Biotechnology Poster Symposium, Salt Lake City, UT, 07/2008, Finish Date, The Isolation and Expression of the A34R gene. Heather Tarbet

Publications

  • Site-specific glycosylation regulates the form and function of the intermediate filament cytoskeleton, Tarbet, H.J., Dolat L, Smith TJ, Condon BM, O'Brien ET 3rd, Valdivia RH, Boyce M, eLife, 03/07/2018, e31807
  • A Sweet Embrace: Control of Protein-Protein interactions by O-linked ß-N-Acetylglucosamine, Tarbet, H.J., Toleman, C.A, Boyce, M, Biochemistry, 01/09/2018, 57, 1, 13-21

Timeline

Research and development scientist

Prime 90
07.2018 - Current

Graduate Student Researcher

Boyce Research Lab
01.2013 - 05.2018

Student Mentor

Utah State University
01.2010 - 01.2011

Research Assistant

Safe Solid Solutions
05.2009 - 08.2009

Undergraduate teaching and research fellow

Hevel Research Lab
01.2008 - 07.2012

Student Intern

InnovaBio
01.2007 - 01.2008

PhD -

Duke University

Bachelor of Science -

Utah State University
Heather Tarbet