Marabelle Cecil

I am a hardworking and dependable student at the University of Arizona studying Molecular and Cellular Biology and Biochemistry. My past research, work, and volunteer experiences have allowed me to develop strong organizational and problem-solving skills. I am strongly passionate about scientific research and enjoy setting and accomplishing goals.

• Biotechnician Assistant Credentialing Exam: internationally recognized college-level laboratory competency certification
• Nominated for CBS Stem Student of the Month: recognized excellence in STEM field
• Community Service Letter Award: 250+ service hours of volunteer work
• Journey Church Worship Team Member of the Year: outstanding leadership and service in worship team

2021-2022

Alternatives Pregnancy Center Volunteer

• Organized donations
• Made supply bags for new moms

2022-2024

Journey Church Student Leader

• Attended leadership meetings
• Organized youth events
• Set up/cleaned up weekly youth group

2022-2024

Journey Church Worship Team Member

• Attended rehearsals
• Played piano in worship band at youth group

2023 and 2024

Missions Ministries Mexico Mission Trip

• Built a house for impoverished family in Mexico
• Helped at local soup kitchen

The three-year Biotechnology program at my high school allowed me to gain several research experiences. In the first year, I worked with a team to investigate the regeneration of Planarian flatworms and learned about the foundations of scientific research. In the second year, my team and I worked on a year-long project where we DNA sequenced fungal mold samples. After developing my problem-solving and communication skills in these courses, I became a mentor in the third year of the program and helped guide two second-year teams in their cancer cell research. 

Additionally, in the AP Seminar and Research courses, I further refined the critical thinking skills I learned in Biotechnology. In AP Research, I independently explored the effects of a glyphosate-based herbicide on mouse fibroblast cells and presented my results to a board of administrators, faculty, and cellular research experts. 

Link to my AP Research website detailing my research process: https://sites.google.com/s.dcsdk12.org/cecil-ap-research-project/home 

I am proficient in using the following technologies and skills: micropippeting, autoclave, incubator, centrifuge, microcentrifuge, vortex mixer, inverted microscope, dissection microscope, Biological Safety Cabinets, sterility techniques, gel electrophoresis, fungi culture, cell culture, statistical analysis, Sanger sequencing, microplate reader, water bath, DNA barcoding, multichannel pipette

I am familiar with the following skills and technologies: EVOS microscope, gram staining, ELISA assay, SDS-PAGE assay, GFP protein, bacteria culture, serial dilutions, data analysis, hemocytometer