Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
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Sherlyn Alex

East Meadow

Summary

Motivated student planning to graduate early with a degree in Microbiology and pursue an accelerated master's in Biotechnology. Experienced as a Research Assistant with detail-oriented data analysis skills and hands-on wet lab skills including culturing cells and experimenting with pathogenic bacteria.

Overview

2
2
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Research Assistant

Webley Research Lab
06.2024 - Current
  • Conduct various experiments using zebrafish and trout models to test whether Chlamydia-like organisms cause epitheliocystis in fish gills
  • Culture various human cell lines including Glial, HFF, and Hep2 cells as well as cultivate and harvest different Chlamydia strands
  • Perform various molecular techniques including immunostains, PCRs, gel electrophoresis, qPCRs, and DNA and RNA extractions

Teacher’s Assistant

Biology Lab
02.2023 - Current
  • Demonstrate and teach various general and advanced microbial lab techniques to students
  • Supervise lab to ensure that lab safety is being upheld and that lab equipment is working and restocked
  • Lead discussions and answer students’ questions patiently on how to isolate a bacteriophage from soil

Student Researcher

Biotechniques Lab
02.2024 - 05.2024
  • Successfully cloned a gene into a vector, transformed it into a bacterium, and ran blue-white screening as well as diagnostic tests including a DNA digest, PCR, and Sanger Sequencing
  • Extracted RNA to induce fluorescence, as well as extracted protein to detect through SDS-PAGE and western blots and purify through chromatography

Volunteer

BCT Medical Services
12.2023 - 02.2024
  • Maintained sterile examination rooms and medical equipment as well as restocked needed supplies
  • Attentively monitored and documented patient vitals while organizing and labeling patient samples
  • Shadowed healthcare professionals to gain in diagnosing and treating various infectious diseases

Student Researcher

Microbiology Lab
09.2023 - 12.2023
  • Conducted various experiments testing endospore formation, bacterial motility and chemotaxis, oxygen requirements, biofilms, and quorum sensing while working with bacteria, bacteriophages, and fungi
  • Chemically extracted antibiotics through the Tiny Earth project and tested them using the Kirby-Bauer test
  • Practiced safe microbiology using sterile technique, especially when working with Biosafety level 2 microorganisms as well as kept a detailed lab notebook, which included observations and analysis

Student Researcher

SEA-GENES Lab
09.2023 - 12.2023
  • Explore the function of a certain set of genes encoded by a bacteriophage to help annotate the genome of a bacteriophage so that it can be used as a potential therapy through the SEA-PHAGES program
  • Clone phage genes into pExTra in E. Coli and investigate gene-dependent phenotypes in the host Mycobacterium smegmatis through cytotoxic and defense assays
  • Accurately interpret data results from a lab notebook and make self-guided choices on what to do next

Student Researcher

Bacteriophage Bioinformatics Lab
09.2023 - 12.2023
  • Annotated and characterized novel viral genomes using computational biological techniques
  • Contributed to a published journal article and submitted an annotated sequence to a genetic database

Education

Bachelor of Science - Microbiology

University of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MA
05.2025

Skills

  • SDS-PAGE and western blots
  • Streak/spread plating and gram staining
  • DNA/RNA extraction, PCR plan creation, and gel electrophoresis
  • Gene cloning and blue-white screening
  • Cell culturing and immunostaining
  • Well-versed in the use of BLAST, Phamerator, PECAAN, Genemark, and HHPred
  • Proficient in Spanish and Malayalam
  • Attention to detail
  • Communication and teamwork
  • Data collection and analysis
  • Multitasking and time management
  • Quick learner

Certification

  • Excel Certification, Microsoft, December 2020

Timeline

Research Assistant

Webley Research Lab
06.2024 - Current

Student Researcher

Biotechniques Lab
02.2024 - 05.2024

Volunteer

BCT Medical Services
12.2023 - 02.2024

Student Researcher

Microbiology Lab
09.2023 - 12.2023

Student Researcher

SEA-GENES Lab
09.2023 - 12.2023

Student Researcher

Bacteriophage Bioinformatics Lab
09.2023 - 12.2023

Teacher’s Assistant

Biology Lab
02.2023 - Current

Bachelor of Science - Microbiology

University of Massachusetts Amherst

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Sherlyn Alex