Enthusiastic teaching assistant with expertise in course materials development and student engagement. Strong communication skills complement a background in molecular biology, ready to support educational excellence and scientific advancement.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Guelph
Guelph
09.2023 - 08.2025
Conducted master's thesis research: Characterizing the Effect of Novel acta1b:p.Ala319_Leu320del Mutation on Striated Muscle Development and Health in Zebrafish
Applied molecular biology and imaging approaches to investigate developmental effects of sarcomeric actin mutation
Teaching assistant
University of Guelph
Guelph, Canada
09.2023 - 06.2025
Graded assignments and provided constructive feedback to students.
Facilitated group discussions to enhance student engagement and understanding.
Sales Associate
TJX Canada
Guelph, Ontario
06.2021 - 08.2023
Maintained organized product displays to enhance customer experience.
Worked with fellow sales team members to achieve group targets.
Undergraduate Research Assistant
University of Guelph
Guelph, Canada
06.2022 - 09.2022
Collaborated with graduate students to establish a protocol for protein purification.
Executed in vitro motility assays to analyze actin-myosin interactions through microscopy.
Pharmacy Technician Assistant
Wyndham Medical Pharmacy
Guelph, ON
04.2022 - 08.2022
Kept pharmacy counter and related areas clean, neat and organized.
Counted and labeled prescriptions with correct item and quantity.
Trained new pharmacy staff on computer system and drug management protocols.
Received incoming supplies and stocked in correct locations.
Sales Associate
Bath and Body Works, Limited Brands
Newmarket, ON
09.2017 - 06.2019
Prepared merchandise for sales floor by pricing or tagging.
Solved customer challenges by offering relevant products and services.
Provided exceptional services and pleasant shopping experiences to retail customers.
Pharmacy Technician Trainee
Total Health Compounding Pharmacy
Newmarket, Ontario
09.2017 - 12.2017
High school co-op student trainee
Counted, measured, and compounded medications following standard procedures.
Answered incoming phone calls and addressed questions from customers and healthcare providers.
Education
Master of Science - Molecular and Cellular Biology
University of Guelph
Guelph, ON
07.2025
Bachelor of Science - Molecular Biology and Genetics, Minor in Biotechnology
University of Guelph
Guelph, ON
06-2023
Skills
Molecular biology techniques
Laboratory management
Effective communication
RNA isolation and purification
Statistical analysis
Scientific writing
DNA sequencing and analysis
Animal handling and care
High-throughput screening
Cell culture techniques
Student engagement and tutoring
Presentation development
Experimental design methodologies
Research methodologies
Publications
Steffensen, K.E., Jones, M.R., Misini, E., King, C.J., Pace, A., and Dawson, J.F. (2024). Duality in Disease: How Two Amino Acid Substitutions at Actin Residue 312 Result in Opposing Forms of Cardiomyopathy. J Biol Chem 300, 107961. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JBC.2024.107961.
Prill, K., Misini, E., Dawson, J. F., Deletion of Alanine-Leucine 319/320 in zebrafish acta1b's pathogenic helix results in severe cardiac and skeletal muscle defects, in preparation
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Guelph
09.2023 - 08.2025
Teaching assistant
University of Guelph
09.2023 - 06.2025
Undergraduate Research Assistant
University of Guelph
06.2022 - 09.2022
Pharmacy Technician Assistant
Wyndham Medical Pharmacy
04.2022 - 08.2022
Sales Associate
TJX Canada
06.2021 - 08.2023
Sales Associate
Bath and Body Works, Limited Brands
09.2017 - 06.2019
Pharmacy Technician Trainee
Total Health Compounding Pharmacy
09.2017 - 12.2017
Master of Science - Molecular and Cellular Biology
University of Guelph
Bachelor of Science - Molecular Biology and Genetics, Minor in Biotechnology