Experience

  1. Graduate Research Assistant

    Michigan State University

    Responsibilities include:

    • Comparative genomics data analysis
    • Developing computational tools
    • Mentoring and teaching students
  2. Biological Science Technician (Intern)

    United States Department of Agriculture

    Responsibilities include:

    • Assembling and annotating genomes
    • Comparative genomics data analysis
    • Publishing and communicating results
  3. Graduate Teaching Assistant

    Michigan State University

    Fundamental Genetics

    Responsibilities included:

    • Weekly recitations and office hours
    • Grading assignments, quizzes, and exams
  4. Mentor

    Research Experience for Undergrads, MSU

    Responsibilities included:

    • Guiding student through two month plant genomics project
    • Teaching programming and computational analysis
  5. Lead Trainer

    International Weed Genomics Consortium Meeting 2023

    Responsibilities included:

    • Guiding attendees through RNA-Seq pipeline
  6. Trainer

    Ecotek Lab Youth Scientists Visit

    Responsibilities included:

    • Teaching students genetics and PCR
  7. Mentor

    Graduate Recruitment Initiative Team, MSU

    Responsibilities included:

    • Guiding first-year grad students through grad life
  8. Mentor

    Research Experience for Undergrads, MSU

    Responsibilities included:

    • Guiding student through two month plant genomics project
    • Teaching programming and computational analysis
  9. Graduate Teaching Assistant

    Michigan State University

    Introduction to Weed Management

    Responsibilities included:

    • Grading semester-long project
  10. Undergraduate Research Assistant

    University of Minnesota, Twin-Cities

    Responsibilities included:

    • Tissue culture and transformation of tobacco and invasive plants
    • Pollen tube competition experiments
    • Communication of results through thesis and poster presentations
  11. Assorted Hospitality and Sales Positions

    Many in Minnesota, California, and Alaska
    • Although not research related, essential component of my history
    • Soft skill refinement
    • Gave me a diverse perspective not often found in academia

Education

  1. PhD Genomics and Evolution

    Michigan State University

    Plant genomics, evolution, and computational biology

    Supervised by Dr. Eric L. Patterson

  2. BS Plant Breeding and Genetics

    University of Minnesota, Twin-Cities

    Plant biology, breeding, propagation, genetics, and bioinformatics

    Supervised by Dr. Alan G. Smith

  3. AA Liberal Arts

    Normandale Community College
    General education for transfer into university
Skills
Research
Omic data
Visualization
Data mining
Stat Analysis
Writing
Machine Learning
Tissue culture
Programming
BASH
R
Python
LaTeX
GitHub
HPC
Tool dev
Soft Skills
Communication
Collaboration
Creativity
Problem Solving
Detail
Leadership
Flexibility
Languages
100%
English
25%
Spanish