Riley Shepard
Fort Myers,USA
Summary
Personable and analytical honors biotechnology student (GPA 3.93) with multi-year orthopedic/biologics research experience, independent extracellular vesicle projects at the Thompson Laboratory for Regenerative Orthopedics, and year-round writing/analysis at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU). Adept in RT-qPCR, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), extracellular vesicle and tissue processing, cell culture, and aseptic technique. Proficient in RStudio and Microsoft Excel for data analysis and visualization. Strong technical writing (grant proposals, abstracts, posters), literature review, and protocol development. committed to contributed to meaningful research and driving impactful results.
Overview
2
2
years of professional experience
Work History
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Thermostable Vaccine Platforms
Fort Myers, FL
05.2024 - Current
- Mentorship Under Dr. Scott Michael, PhD
- Prepared titration series of natural deep eutectic solvent and buffer titers at defined concentrations to optimize conditions for Actinobacteriophage viability.
- Performed plaque assays and calculated viral titers, including normalization to controls, dilution corrections, and error analysis.
- Graphed results and delivered weekly summaries to the lab meetings to guide study direction.
Research Intern
Thompson Laboratory for Regenerative Orthopaedics
Columbia, MO
01.2024 - Current
- Mentorship under Dr. Aaron Stoker, PhD and Dr. James Cook, DVM, PhD
- Collaborative Research Project — Extracellular Crosstalk in Osteoarthritis Tissues & Chondrocyte Response
- Co-led a 10-week study investigating how extracellular vesicles from osteoarthritic knee and hip tissues influence chondrocyte gene expression.
- Processed 32 patient-derived arthroplasty specimens (total knee and hip), isolated extracellular vesicles from tissue explants, and cultured primary chondrocytes.
- Performed RNA extraction and reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) to quantify inflammatory, degradative, and extracellular matrix–related gene expression in cultured chondrocytes.
- Presented findings at the 2025 Orthopaedic Research Society Annual Meeting (Phoenix, AZ) and the 2024 Mizzou Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium.
- Independent Research Project — Inflammation-Stimulated Extracellular Vesicles in Osteoarthritis
- Designed and executed a 10-week study investigating how inflammatory stimulation alters extracellular vesicle release from osteoarthritic synovium and influences chondrocyte signaling.
- Processed 31 total knee arthroplasty specimens, resected synovium, isolated extracellular vesicles from explant cultures, and cultured primary chondrocytes.
- Conducted RNA extraction and Luminex Multiplex ELISA to measure extracellular vesicle-mediated effects on inflammatory and degradative protein release.
- Compiled and presented findings as a poster at the 2025 Mizzou Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium.
- Additional Lab Responsibilities: performed live/dead viability staining of osteochondral allografts (bone and cartilage) to assess post implantation cell viability with fluorescence microscopy
- Translation Canine CRISPR Study — Osteoarthritis Model
- Supported two blinded, industry sponsored studies on CRISPR-mediated gene editing in a canine osteoarthritis model (Cook JL (PI), Bozynski CC, Stoker AM, Cook CR; OrthoBio Therapeutics — Phase 1: $333,324 | Phase 2: $200,889).
- Processed weekly synovial fluid and plasma from canine subjects for off-site analysis by the industry sponsor.
- Assisted with post-operative recovery and gait assessments.
- Maintained IACUC compliance and animal welfare under supervision of veterinary orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Cook.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Biotechnology, Minor in Chemistry
Florida Gulf Coast University
Fort Myers, FL12.2025
Skills
- Researching skills
- Scientific writing
- Specimen and sample preparation
- Presentation development
- Literature reviews
- Laboratory techniques
- Data collection
- Data analysis
- Laboratory operations
- Data analysis
- Research reporting
- Running experiments
- Inventory and supply management
Awards
Honors Development Fund (FGCU Honors College) — $1,000, CAS Experiential Learning Fund (FGCU College of Arts & Sciences) — $500, Whitaker Mini-Grant (Whitaker Center for STEM Education) — $753, Office of Scholarly Innovation & Student Research (FGCU) — $350, Thompson Laboratory for Regenerative Orthopaedics Undergraduate Research Fund (University of Missouri) — $1,500
LEADERSHIP & SERVICE
- Research Ambassador — FGCU Office of Scholarly Innovation & Student Research (SISR) Aug 2025 - Present
- Selected as inaugural Research Ambassador based on research achievements and competitive grants.
- Engage students at orientations and campus events (~5 hrs/month) to promote research pathways.
- Engage in meetings with FGCU faculty to expand research outreach, improve student retention, and strengthen research support resources.
- Organic Chemistry I Teaching Assistant — FGCU Jan 2024 – May 2024 (~96 hours)
- Led review sessions for 30 students, reinforcing core course concepts and exams readiness.
- Provided 1:1 tutoring, shared progress trends with the professor and recommended lecture updates to address common misconceptions.
- Built practice sets, graded corrections with feedback, and reviewed draft exams to improve question clarity.
- Lead Lifeguard — Collier County Dept. of Parks & Recreation, Naples, FL Mar 2020 - Present
- Onboard and train lifeguards, lead in-service refreshers, and maintain training records/compliance logs.
- Oversaw 15–20 staff monitoring 200–1,400 patrons/day
- Communicate with patrons on rules and coordinate Emergency Action Plans during incidents until handoff to EMS.
- Achieved 100% certification compliance each season through structured recertification and skills checks.
- Assistant Youth Ice Hockey Goalie Coach — Florida Junior Everblades Jan 2019 – May 2021 (~50 hours)
- Trained goalies (ages 8–16) on stance, positioning, and recovery techniques.
- Prepared athletes for competitive league play through skill development and video review.
SHADOWING
- Arthrex Orthobiologics R&D — Naples, FL Feb 2024 & May 2025 (~16 hours)
- Shadowed research engineers at the wet lab during product testing and validation of orthobiologic devices.
- Observed aseptic technique in a biosafety cabinet: sterile field setup, instrument transfer, media changes, and contamination-prevention workflow/PPE practices.
- Observed how inter-division testing informs device evaluation and refinement for biomedical equipment.
Timeline
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Thermostable Vaccine Platforms
05.2024 - Current
Research Intern
Thompson Laboratory for Regenerative Orthopaedics
01.2024 - Current
Bachelor of Science - Biotechnology, Minor in Chemistry
Florida Gulf Coast University