Sarah Ashour

Detail-oriented professional with a strong background in food service and laboratory techniques. Proven ability to collaborate effectively with teams and ensure adherence to health and safety standards. Committed to enhancing customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.

• General Chemistry & Organic Chemistry Labs – Three General Chemistry labs and two Organic Chemistry labs completed. Hands-on training in solution preparation, titrations, distillations, recrystallization, chromatography, spectroscopy, and safe handling of reagents.
• Physics Laboratory – Two Physics lab completed. Designed and conducted experiments in mechanics, optics, electricity, and magnetism; applied quantitative analysis and error calculations.
• Upper-Division Biology Labs – Two Upper-Division Biology labs completed. Performed molecular and cellular biology techniques including DNA & RNA manipulations, PCR, DNA electrophoresis, microscopy, bacterial culture, quantitative assays, gene of interest isolation, amplification and transfer.
• Total Coursework Lab Hours – ~390 hours

Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine Research Assistant – C. elegans Learning and Memory Project

Skills Obtained

• Analyze data collected by neurophysiology, optogenetics,immunohistochemistry, neuropharmacology, and electroencephalography(EEG) techniques.
• Design CRISPR guide RNAs, articulate methods to test CRISPR guides,and propose experiments for animals modified with CRISPR technology.
• Identify cranial nerves and key structures in the brain and spinal cord and clinical implications if those structures are lost.
• Propose well-controlled experiments, knowing expected outcomes if a hypothesis is correct and identifying alternative experiments for potential pit falls.
• Write with clarity, precision, concision, objectivity and logical connection's exemplified by disciplinary standards found in peer-reviewed publications.

Research

• Contributed to investigations within the Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory.
• Utilized C. elegans as a model organism to study neuronal circuits, gene expression, and behavioral responses linked to learning, memory, and neurodegenerative disorders.
• Gained experience with experimental design, organism handling, behavioral assays, and literature-based data interpretation.
• Collaborated with faculty and peers to refine experimental methods and maintain accurate laboratory records.