Katherine Michaels
Summary
- 3+ years of work experience in a university research lab setting.
- 5+ years of work experience in independent project management across varying disciplines.
- Strengths include communication, attention to detail, and record and document management.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Communications Specialist
AmeriCorps VISTA - Center for STEM Teaching and Learning
2024.06 - 2025.06
- Partnered with faculty and staff to enhance outreach efforts for CSTL programs, increasing engagement and visibility. Designed communication materials, including social media posts, newsletters, and flyers.
- Redesigned websites using HTML and CSS to improve user experience and accessibility.
- Facilitated bi-weekly meetings with students to assess project progress, set goals, and develop action plans.
- Mediated conflict between students and their supervisors, fostering communication and resolution.
Intern
Utah State University Extension: Climate Adaptation & Resiliency
2024.01 - 2024.05
- Developed educational materials about carbon pricing to enhance understanding of climate resiliency practices across Utah.
- Collaborated with supervisor to develop and refine fact sheets.
Research Assistant
Utah State University Biology Department
2020.05 - 2023.12
- Extracted DNA, ran PCRs, used gel-electrophoresis, and carried out gel extractions for plant and insect pathology.
- Coordinated efforts with coworkers to facilitate project flow across varying deadlines.
- Maintained organized records of samples, results, and documentation across multiple projects projects.
- Managed laboratory inventory, ensuring availability of supplies and reagents.
- Maintained onion and dahlia research plots by installing irrigation, weeding, harvesting, and surveying throughout the growing season.
Intern
Utah State University Extension: Applied Economics
2021.09 - 2021.12
- Independently conducted research and summarized findings for academic publications on water conservation and applied economics.
- Developed budget sheets in Excel for farmers to assess their expenditures.
Education
Associates in Science -
Pima Community College
Tucson, AZ12.2026
BS - Economics, International Studies
Utah State University
Logan, UT05.2024
Skills
- Lab: bacteria, plant, and insect DNA extraction; gel-electrophoresis; ELISA testing; bacteria isolation and propagation; PCR testing
- Coding and Software: Python, SQL, HTML, CSS, Microsoft Office
- Communications: event coordination, newsletter marketing, web design, flyer design
Timeline
Communications Specialist
AmeriCorps VISTA - Center for STEM Teaching and Learning
2024.06 - 2025.06
Intern
Utah State University Extension: Climate Adaptation & Resiliency
2024.01 - 2024.05
Intern
Utah State University Extension: Applied Economics
2021.09 - 2021.12
Research Assistant
Utah State University Biology Department
2020.05 - 2023.12
Associates in Science -
Pima Community College
BS - Economics, International Studies
Utah State University