KARA L. O’BRIEN
Ashland
Summary
Motivated student with proven ability to excel in collaborative and independent environments. Demonstrates strong work ethic and exceptional organizational skills. Currently pursuing a master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, focused on long-term career development in the mental health field.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Research Project Specialist
Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
Lebanon
12.2013 - 11.2025
- Research project coordinator for nationwide ECHO research study on early environmental influences on child health.
- Collaborated with team to collect surveys, biological samples, and psychometric tests from participants.
- Managed longitudinal data collection across multiple timepoints since 2009.
- Communicated study results to participants, offering actionable health guidelines and recommendations.
Sales Representative/ Bartender
Steele Hill Resorts, Path Vacations
Sanbornton
02.2018 - 09.2019
- Provided exceptional customer service within the vacation sales office and high-end restaurant, achieved top sales efficiency using active listening, rapport building, and product knowledge.
Clinical Research Coordinator
Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Norris Cotton Cancer Center
Lebanon
10.2012 - 12.2013
- Managed project and data operations for over 20 cancer treatment clinical trials in Hematology/Oncology.
Regulatory Specialist
Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
Lebanon
06.2011 - 09.2012
- Regulatory support for Office of Clinical Research by preparing protocol renewals and amendment submissions to Dartmouth’s Committee for Protection of Human Subjects (CPHS), drafting informed consent documents for innovative cancer treatment protocols, and liaising with research study sponsors to secure updated study details.
Senior Research Associate
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center/Harvard Medical School
Boston
06.2005 - 05.2011
- Led all HIV vaccine preclinical and clinical trials, performing ELISPOT assays to assess vaccine immune response.
- Developed and implemented Good Clinical Laboratory Practices (GCLP) to enhance laboratory operations.
- Managed laboratory operations, supervising a team of 8 lab technicians to ensure adherence to study protocols under GCLP standards.
Technical Assistant
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Cambridge
05.2003 - 05.2005
- Lab manager responsible for equipment maintenance, ordering reagents and supplies, and mouse colony management.
- Scientific projects involved cloning, tissue culture, maintenance of cell lines and plasmid stock, production and purification of monoclonal antibodies, and mouse tissue sampling, id tagging, PCR.
Education
Master of Science -
Plymouth State University
Plymouth, New Hampshire, NH08-2027
Bachelor of Arts - Biology, Certificate in French
Saint Anselm College
Manchester, NH05.2003
Skills
- Active listening
- Empathy and rapport building
- Attention to detail
- Team management
- Customer service
- Project management
- Organizational skills
- Research and data analysis
- Data tracking and reporting
- Electronic health records
- Database design
Accomplishments
Upsilon Pi Chapter at Plymouth State University of Chi Sigma Iota Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society (CSI) - Inducted Fall 2025
Timeline
Sales Representative/ Bartender
Steele Hill Resorts, Path Vacations
02.2018 - 09.2019
Research Project Specialist
Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
12.2013 - 11.2025
Clinical Research Coordinator
Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Norris Cotton Cancer Center
10.2012 - 12.2013
Regulatory Specialist
Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
06.2011 - 09.2012
Senior Research Associate
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center/Harvard Medical School
06.2005 - 05.2011
Technical Assistant
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
05.2003 - 05.2005
Master of Science -
Plymouth State University
Bachelor of Arts - Biology, Certificate in French
Saint Anselm College