Melissa Rivas
Pocatello,ID
Summary
Detailed-oriented and determined professional prepared to excel in the field of sciences or research.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Certified Phlebotomy Technician
05.2024 - 10.2024
- Stocked phlebotomy cart or carrier with appropriate supplies.
- Protected patients by following infection control, sharps disposal, and biohazardous waste disposal procedures.
- Collected blood samples using vacutainer tubes, tourniquets, syringes, butterfly needles, and straight needles.
- Completed proper sanitation and cleaning of equipment and work areas between patients.
Integrative Biology Lab Research Assistant
Idaho State University Department of Biology
02.2020 - 01.2023
- Cared and evaluated the health of bluebanded Goby and recognize signs of illness
- Collected water borne hormone for experimental purposes
- Recorded behavioral observations
- Citi Training Certification to be able to make sure I maintained biosafety measures, and met ethical standards in working with animals
- Analyzed Sanger sequencing data for high quality
- Gelled electrophoresis and imaging
- Prepared reports and data entry using Excel
- Prepared buffers and dilutions necessary for various protocols
- Ordered supplies in the laboratory
- Homogenized and prepared tissue for different biological assays
- Tested, modified and validated various kits such as Enzyme Immunoassays
- Used microtone to slice Blue-Banded goby tissue and mount for histological staining.
Molecular Research Core Facility Research Associate
Idaho State University Department of Biology
06.2019 - 11.2022
- Participated in Science Trek outreach event to engage the Pocatello community and teach basic science to different age groups (8 year-olds-70 year-olds)
- Performed Sanger DNA sequencing using an Applied Biosystems 3139x/ instrument
- Analyzed Sanger sequencing data for high quality
- Gelled electrophoresis and imaging
- Prepared reports and data entry using Excel of the Sanger DNA sequencing.
Certified Nurse Assistant
Safe Haven Hospital & Care Center of Pocatello
01.2014 - 08.2017
- Recorded temperature, pulse, blood pressure, pulse and respiration rates, food and fluid intake and output, as directed
- Answered call lights, and intercom system to determine patients' needs
- Transported patients using wheelchair and assisted patients to walk
- Served and collected food trays and fed patients requiring help
- Changed bed linens, ran errands, directed visitors, and answered the telephone
- Bathed, dressed, and undressed patients.
Education
B.S. in Biology - Concentration in Biomedical Science
Idaho State University
Pocatello, ID12.2022
Skills
- Over 3 years of research experience in a lab from the Molecular Research Core Facility
- Preparing reports and data entry using Excel
- Preparing buffers and dilutions necessary for various protocols
- Worked under the direction primary investigators with minimum supervision
- Knowledgeable with Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc)
- Bilingual in Spanish and English
References
- Lisa McDougal, Research Associate, Molecular Research Core Facility, Idaho State University, 208-282-4890, lisamcdougal@isu.edu
- Jason Werth, Research Associate, Molecular Research Core Facility, Idaho State University, 208-282-4890, wertjaso@isu.edu
- Sonia Martinez, Undergraduate Research and Outreach Director, Research Integrity and Compliance, Idaho State University, 208-1323, martsoni@isu.edu
Awards
- Social Instability Elicits Different Responses in Brain Cortisol Levels within Bluebanded Goby Hierarchies Poster. Melissa Rivas, Daniel Youngerman, Katrina White and Devaleena Pradhan. IDeA Network for Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) Program, Summer 2021
- Social Status and its Effects on Cortisol in the Brain of the Bluebanded Goby Poster. Daniel Youngerman, Melissa Rivas, Katrina White and Devaleena Pradhan. Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology (SBN) Summer 2021
- The Plasticity of Social Status: Stress Hormones in a Hermaphroditic Fish Poster. Melissa Rivas, Katrina White and Devaleena Pradhan. International Conference of Undergraduate Research (ICUR) Summer 2020
- The Plasticity of Social Status: Stress Hormones in a Hermaphroditic Fish Poster. Melissa Rivas, Katrina White and Devaleena Pradhan. The Society if Integrative and Comparative Biology (SICB) January 2020
- Stuck in a Bucket: The Effect of Confinement Stress on Cortisol Levels in Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) Poster. Kaysen Christensen, Alexander Wooding, Ryan Whitworth, Melissa Rivas and Devaleena Pradhan. The Society if Integrative and Comparative Biology (SICB) January 2020
- SACNAS at ISU - The Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science member. Fall 2020-Fall 2022
- IDeA Network for Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) Program Awardee- IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) fosters the development, coordination, and sharing of research resources and expertise to expand research opportunities and increase the number of competitive investigators in IDeA-eligible states. June 2021-August 2021
- Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology Membership Recipient- The Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology (SBN) is an interdisciplinary scientific organization dedicated to the study of hormonal processes and neuroendocrine systems that regulate behavior. Received an award which included free membership to SBN for one year. June 2021
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Certified Phlebotomy Technician
05.2024 - 10.2024
Integrative Biology Lab Research Assistant
Idaho State University Department of Biology
02.2020 - 01.2023
Molecular Research Core Facility Research Associate
Idaho State University Department of Biology
06.2019 - 11.2022
Certified Nurse Assistant
Safe Haven Hospital & Care Center of Pocatello
01.2014 - 08.2017
B.S. in Biology - Concentration in Biomedical Science
Idaho State University
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