POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH SCIENTIST

BioInnovation Laboratory
Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, Georgia, 2017 – Present

A continuation of research from GSU, including WNS and fungal pathogenicity investigations, as well as new endeavors. The BioInnovation laboratory at Kennesaw State University was started in 2017 to develop new intellectual property that draws from a wide range of fields, including engineering, software development, biology, and more.

MICROBIOLOGICAL GRADUATE RESEARCHER

Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, 2012 – 2017

Microbial control of pathogenic fungi for health and disease management in a BSL-2 laboratory. Investigating antifungal volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formulations, and methods for their application. Development of methods for contact-independent antagonism of fungi, utilizing antifungal VOCs with a custom dispersal system, as well as induced cells of Rhodococcus rhodochrous DAP 96253.

Organisms of interest include Pseudogymnoascus destructans (white-nose syndrome in North American bats), Ascosphaera apis (chalkbrood disease in honey bee larvae), Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola (snake fungal disease), Botrytis cinerea (grey rot/noble rot of wine grapes and other plants), Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense (Panama disease/Fusarium wilt of banana plants), Aspergillus spp. (toxic and carcinogenic food contaminant).

GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANT

Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, 2012 – 2016

Laboratory instructor for the undergraduate Microbiology and Public Health Laboratory. Educate benchtop microbiological laboratory techniques, including isolation, growth, microscopic evaluation, staining, characterization, enumeration, and identification of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms, in a BSL-2 laboratory setting. Demonstrate good microbiological practices outlined in the Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL, 5th ed.), including biosafety, security, and incident response.

RADIATION SAFETY SPECIALIST

Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, 2013 – 2014

Managed a campus-wide radiation safety program, facilitating radioactive materials research and protecting people and the environment from adverse effects of radiation. Conducted radioactive contamination surveys and dose monitoring. Educated faculty, staff, and students of radiation hazards, compliance, and safety protocols. Developed safety protocols and training exercises for handling radioactive material. Implemented and managed a radionuclide inventory and tracking system.

Emergency and hazardous material incident-responder for GSU and the Atlanta area. Trained in handling biological, chemical, radiological, and other hazardous materials in Level A hazmat personal protective equipment (PPE). Regularly participated in training exercises. Used first responder equipment to detect and analyze known and unknown materials (such as the MiniRAE VOC monitor, Impact 4 gas monitor, combustible gas detector, Geiger counters, Jerome mercury vapor analyzer, pH analyzers, and the FirstDefender AhuraFD).

WEB DEVELOPER

Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, 2013 – 2014

Managed a multisite WordPress environment where navigation and content was the primary emphasis, for the university’s research and environmental health and safety websites. Produced audio/video lecture series from raw recordings. Created graphics and manipulated photographs. Developed dynamic PDF documents, including laboratory door sign generators, radiation contamination surveys, responsive laboratory inspection checklists, and training request and completion forms, among others.