Payten Taggart
Santa Cruz
Summary
Dedicated student with knowledge in Cognitive Science, in pursuit of academics and embracing diverse learning experiences. Demonstrates strong teamwork and communication, problem-solving, organizational and time-management skills. Experienced in handling numerous projects at once while ensuring accuracy. Effective at prioritizing tasks and meeting deadlines. Currently aiming to seek further education and job experience.
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Research Lab Manager
UCSC
09.2025 - Current
- Managed daily operations of research lab, ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards.
- Oversaw inventory management, optimizing resource allocation and minimizing waste in laboratory processes.
- Developed scheduling for various experiments to ensure consistency and availability across all projects.
- Maximized team productivity with effective scheduling, resource allocation, and personnel management.
- Supervised equipment maintenance activities, ensuring optimal functionality of essential instruments at all times.
- Kept equipment maintained, facility clean, and organized and inventory stocked to maximize performance.
- Assigned schedules to priortize smooth study running and lab efficiency.
Research Lab Assistant
UCSC
09.2024 - 06.2025
- Conducted literature reviews to support ongoing research projects and identify relevant methodologies.
- Assisted in the preparation of experiments, ensuring proper setup of equipment and materials.
- Collaborated with team members on project design, contributing ideas for improved research outcomes.
- Analyzed experimental data using statistical software, providing insights that guided further investigations.
- Helped to coordinate and guide participants in research studies, within a timely fashion, according to guidelines and set protocols.
- Facilitated effective communication amongst team members, fostering a collaborative research environment.
- Documented experimental data and completed reports.
- Participated in lab meetings and project presentations.
Dining Hall Employee
UCSC
04.2023 - 06.2025
- Assisted in food preparation and service, ensuring adherence to health and safety standards.
- Maintained cleanliness of dining areas, contributing to a welcoming environment for guests.
- Collaborated with team members to streamline service delivery, improving overall guest satisfaction.
- Responded promptly to customer inquiries, fostering positive dining experiences through effective communication.
- Monitored inventory levels and reported shortages to ensure consistent availability of supplies.
- Implemented best practices for waste reduction, promoting sustainability within dining operations.
- Handled cash transactions accurately while processing guest payments.
- Supported special events by setting up tables, serving food, and cleaning up after event completion.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Cognitive Science
University of California - Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA06-2027
Skills
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Attention to detail
- Multitasking Abilities
- Critical thinking
- Organizational skills
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Effective communication
- Customer service
- Patience and empathy
- Task delegation
Certification
- Humanizing Technology Certificate: issued by UCSC, Sept 2025
- California Food Handler Training Certificate: issued by StateFoodSafety, Mar 2024
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Research Lab Manager
UCSC
09.2025 - Current
Research Lab Assistant
UCSC
09.2024 - 06.2025
Dining Hall Employee
UCSC
04.2023 - 06.2025
Bachelor of Science - Cognitive Science
University of California - Santa Cruz