Maria Akenkou
Aliso Viejo,California
Summary
Enthusiastic student leveraging studies in science trying to find an opportunity to gain real-world skills in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry in research. Presented at the American Chemical Society (ACS) fall 2023 conference in San Francisco a project on Detecting Unaccounted Microplastics in the Environment. Presented at the American Society of Cellular Biology| European Molecular Biology Organization (ASCB|EMBO) fall 2023 in Boston a collaborative project titled: Zebrafish TMEM11 Localizes to the Outer Membrane of the Mitochondria.
Overview
2
2
years of professional experience
Work History
Winter Research Assistanship
Life science Department
Aliso Viejo, United States
12.2023 - 01.2024
- Studied the possible relations and differences between two genes a truncated and a longer version found in two strains of Saccharomyces cervisiae
- The aim of the study was to determine the potential Nitralase activity of said genes by a set of biochemical assay studies
- Developed an understanding of the impact of a protein structure on its enzymatic activity
- Analyzed data in addition to making graphs taking the standard deviation and error of the averages of each type of sample
Foundations Of chemistry Tutor
Life science Department
Aliso Viejo, United States
09.2023 - 12.2023
- Tutored struggling, average, and advanced students in Foundations of Chemistry
- Regularly engaged in revising and reinforcing concepts taught in class to deepen understanding
- Administered feedback to students using positive reinforcement techniques to encourage and build confidence
- Provided students with supplementary resource to expand their understanding and explore topics further
Organic Chemistry Laboratory tutor
Life science Department
Aliso Viejo, United States
01.2023 - 12.2023
- Assisted the lead instructor in conducting laboratory sessions
- Offering guidance and support to students inside and outside of class
- Aided in the preparation of various solutions and reagents according to established protocols ensuring the experiments reproducibility
- Ensured cleanliness and organization within laboratory
- Consistently made myself available beyond class hours to facilitate and oversee experiments, providing guidance to promote academic success and the advancement of scientific inquiry
Summer Research Assistanship
Life science Department
Aliso Viejo, United States
06.2023 - 08.2023
- Title of the Project: Polyphenolic Antioxidants as Inhibitors of Advanced Glycation Endproducts
- Extensively used the NMR machine, analyzed the spectra and corrected sample preparations
- Further developed my science, and laboratory notebook writing skills
- Attended and presented on a project at the fall 2023 American Chemical Society conference
- Initiated the composition of a scientific journal article, currently in progress of publication with the aim to contribute to scholarly research
Summer Research Assistanship
Biophrama Biological and Pharmaceutical Productions Company
Rabat, Morocco
05.2023 - 06.2023
- Interned as part of the Research, Development and Design team
- Worked on the development of veterinary vaccines for regional diseases in Morocco such as aviary influenza (H9N2), camel pox, bluetongue, bovine tuberculosis …
- Etc
- Gained new skills: egg inoculation, Hemagglutination test, indirect Hemagglutination test, ELISA, water conductivity testing, chicken embryo virus inoculation, quality control of vaccines ….
Summer Research Intern
MedBiotech Laboratory
Rabat, Morocco
06.2022 - 07.2022
- Analyzed data on COVID-19 in Morocco, by comparing the reference sequence and the sample studied in the lab
- Inspected the different mutations found in the local COVID-19 sample, organized them on a spreadsheet and explored the possible effects they could have
- Learned to use different frameworks and packages as well as learning different computer commands and R programming language
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Life Science
Soka University of America
Aliso Viejo, CA06.2025
High School Diploma -
Rivermont Collegiate
Bettendorf, IA06.2021
Skills
- Positive and Upbeat
- Multitasking and Organization
- Laboratory Research
- Experimental Protocols
- Quality Assurance
- Analytical Thinking
- Leading Discussion Groups
- Attention to Detail
- Active Listening Skills
- Flexible and Adaptable
- Self-motivated professional
- MS Office
Languages
- Arabic (Native), French (Native), Spanish (C2), Mandarin (A1), English (C1), Catalan (A1).
Accomplishments
- George Eastman Young Leaders Award Recipient, University of Rochester, 2020
- Salute to Academics & Achievements Leadership Award, Rivermont Collegiate, 2021
- John Stauffer Charitable Trust fund recipient to conduct summer research, 2023
Timeline
Winter Research Assistanship
Life science Department
12.2023 - 01.2024
Foundations Of chemistry Tutor
Life science Department
09.2023 - 12.2023
Summer Research Assistanship
Life science Department
06.2023 - 08.2023
Summer Research Assistanship
Biophrama Biological and Pharmaceutical Productions Company
05.2023 - 06.2023
Organic Chemistry Laboratory tutor
Life science Department
01.2023 - 12.2023
Summer Research Intern
MedBiotech Laboratory
06.2022 - 07.2022
Bachelor of Arts - Life Science
Soka University of America
High School Diploma -
Rivermont Collegiate
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