Objective -- Education -- Advanced Coursework -- Research Experience
Research Skills -- Computer Skills -- Interests & Activitees -- References

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  jdavis_is@hotmail.com
Objective To contribute either independently or as part of a team
to the advancement of scientific research before pursuing 
an M.D./Ph.D. degree and a career in medicine & biomedical 
research.
Education 9/1994 – 8/1998 Temple University Philadelphia, PA

Bachelor of Science Degree in Biochemistry

  • 3rd/4th year GPA total: 3.39 
  • 3rd/4th year GPA in major: 3.33 
  • Dean’s List 

9/1998 - 11/1998      Albert Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia, PA 

Emergency Medical Technician B Certification 

   + CPR, BTLS, and ER rotations

Advanced Coursework Research Techniques in Biochemistry
Molecular Biology
General Biochemistry I and II
Genetics
Cell Structure and Function
Organization and Development of the Nervous System
Organogenisis
Research Experience 4/1997 – 7/1998 Temple University, Department of Biology
__________________________________________________Dr. Paul Z. Myers, Ph.D.
Examination of the formation and early development (18 - 24 hours)
of interneurons in embryonic zebrafish following injection
with a fluorescent carbocyanine dye (dye I, 1,1'-dioctadecyl-
3,3,3',3',-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate) using:

Data resulting from this research was presented at the 1997
Society for Neuroscience Convention at Cold Spring Harbor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11/1999 – Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Division of Neurology
___3/2000__University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine,
_____________Center for Comparitive Medical Genetics
___________________________________________________Dr. John H. Wolfe, V.M.D., Ph.D

As laboratory research technicianin in JHW's lab, involvement with
several investigators studying various aspects of neurological gene
therapy using a murine MPS-VII model (a lysosomal storage disease)
entailed the following responsibilities:

  • Troubleshooting and optimization of PCR, using a mismatch primer
    for the purpose of mutant, carrier, and normal mouse genotype
    analysis
  • Cell/tissue culture (maintenance of cell line, etc.)
  • Animal care and maintenance of experimental mouse colony
  • Small animal surgery (neurological, in utero, etc.) and
    perfusions -assisted
  • Preparation and preliminary implementation of animal colony
    breeding software and corresponding computer network
  • Vector selection (comparison of specificity, relative
    expression, and effectiveness of delivery) -assisted
  • Interpretation of experimental protocols and data derived
  • Maintenance of radiation safety, cell storage, and inventory
    logs
  • Assisted lab manager in lab management, organization, and
    maintenance (solution preparation, dishwashing, autoclaving,
    ordering of biomolecules from cell center, etc.)

6/2000 – University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine
__1/2001__Institute for Human Gene Therapy
___________________________________________________James M. Wilson, M.D.

Research Specialist B

  • Nucleic acid synthesis and processing

  • Nucleic acid purification (PAGE, OPC, etc.)

  • Maintenance of oligonucleotide sequence and ordering database

  • Nucleic acid sequencing

  • Development, troubleshooting, and optimization of PCR protocols
    for the purpose of genotyping several experimental and breeding
    transgenic mouse colonies.

  • Analysis and interpretation of results

  • Plasmid purification -assisted

  • Vector development and cloning -assisted

1/2001 - University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine
__________ Departments of Neurosurgery and Bioengineering
______________________________________________Tracy McIntosh, Ph.D.

Research Skills

Experimental Biochemistry Techniques

  • Gel Electrophoresis (one- and two- dimensional SDS-PAGE,
    agarose gel electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing, etc.) 
  • Southern Blot, Western Blot, and Northern Blot (observed) 
  • Immunohistochemical Staining Techniques 
  • Spectroscopic Analysis (protein assays, nucleic acid
    assays, UV, fluorescent, IR, etc.) 
  • Chromatographic Separations and Purifications
    (affinity, ion exchange, gel filtration, GC, HPLC,
    column, thin layer, paper, etc.) 
  • Centrifugation Techniques (high-speed, gradient, etc.) 
  • Protein Sequencing/Sequence Analysis (Edman degradation,
    Sanger method) –studied 
  • Protein Measurement Techniques (Biuret and Lowry assays,
    Bradford assay, etc.) 
  • ELISAs (observed)
  • Scintillation Counting 

Molecular Biology Techniques

  • Cloning (vector selection, DNA Purification, construction
    of chimeric DNA, etc.) –assisted 
  • PCR Gene Amplification 
  • In-situ Hybridization -assisted 
  • Restriction Digests and Mapping, RFLP Mapping 
  • Gene Isolation/Probe Techniques (Southern Blot, etc.) 
  • DNA Sequencing/Sequence Analysis (Maxam-Gilbert method,
    Sanger dideoxy method, and automated sequencing with an
    attached fluorescent label) 
  • Enhancer Trap, CAT assay (studied), utilization of reporter 
    genes & products (lacZ, gusB, etc.), and two-hybrid systems 
Computer Skills Systems/Hardware (setup, use, configuration, troubleshooting, and informal teaching/tutoring)

Operating Systems (setup, use, configuration, troubleshooting, and informal teaching/tutoring)

  • Microsoft Windows (3.x, 95, 98, and NT) 
  • Mac OS (through OS9)
  • MS-DOS 
  • Unix 
  • Linux/GNU (GNOME, KDE, Red Hat, Mandrake, and Corel interfaces/distros) 

Relevant Software Applications (setup, use, configuration, troubleshooting, 
                                                              and instruction)

  • Genetic analysis software such as MacVector, etc.
  • Molecular modeling and mechanics computation software
    such as RasMol 
  • Image acquisition and analysis software such as Cytos,
    which Dr. Paul Myers (see "research experience") wrote and
    developed, demonstrating to me the usefulness of being able
    to program software to better perform the task(s) at hand 
  • Data preparation and presentation software including
    Microsoft Office (consisting of Word, Excel, Power Point,
    Publisher, and Outlook), Corel WordPerfect Suite, and
    Adobe Acrobat 
  • Digital Image Enhancement and Analyses software including
    Adobe PhotoShop and Microsoft Photo Editor 
  • Internet Publishing and Productivity Applications
    including Microsoft Internet Explorer, Microsoft Front
    Page, Allaire HomeSite, Netscape Communicator (consisting
    of Navigator, Messenger, Netcaster, and Composer), etc.

Programming

  • HTML Editing
  • JavaScript Editing
  • Basic
  • **Excellent typing skills and the ability to readily adapt to any
    __environment
  • **Extensive internet, intranet, and BBS experience (research,
    __academic, personal, and otherwise)
Interests & Activities My primary reason for pursuing a career in the sciences is
that I enjoy finding novel ways to apply them towards better
understanding and hopefully improving myself and my
surroundings. Accordingly, I do spend a significant portion
of my time pursuing such academic interests through use of
the internet, journals, magazines, and sometimes books. I
especially like to maintain an awareness and understanding of
the biological and electronic technologies (a distinction
that rapidly continues to dissolve) that are currently being
conceived, researched, developed, and marketed. I also enjoy
exploring astronomy. In addition to neurobiological research,
I am very much interested in becoming involved with research
that investigates the genetic, molecular biological, and
biochemical/biophysical aspects of cancer (with which I have
had extensive clinical experience), aging, embryonic
development, and various diseases. I look forward to and would
greatly appreciate the opportunities to participate in such
endeavors and to explore such interests in greater detail.

In addition to my academic interests, I love to play guitar,
drums, piano, and just about any other instruments I can get 
my hands on. I also sing and enjoy writing and performing my
own original music. In order to maintain good physical as well 
as mental fitness, I like to work out, inline skate, ski/snowboard, 
swim, bike, and run.

References Available upon request
   

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