jessecohen.com

Objective:  
To continue employment in science-related fields including molecular and microbiology.

Education:
Bachelor of Science, Biology – December 1999

Microbiology/immunology Option; English Minor -Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University

Work Experience:

Research Assistant 3 – November 2007 – Present
Georgetown University; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Washington, D.C.

Cihlar Lab – Natural Product Drug Discovery Research in pharmacognosy.
Current project – cranberry extract compounds – developing assays to find which inhibit planktonic growth and biofilm formation.

School of medicine – Teaching assistant and lab management for the Microbiology in Medicine course.  Duties include procurement, preparation, and management of the class experiments, which includes the maintenance of more than 25 strains including but not limited to Streptococcus, Neisseria, Staphylococcus, and Escherichia.

Ferreira Lab – The University of Mississippi –  February 2008
Cranberry Extract Collaboration – Column chromatography separation, introduction to HPLC and NMR

Research Assistant 2 – June 2004 – November 2007
Georgetown University, Department of Biology, Washington, D.C.

Elmendorf Lab – Investigation of attachment forces of Giardia lamblia. This biophysics study involves conducting flow cell protocol development, documentation of attachment behaviors and management of data from collaborating researchers’ publication of findings.  This goal has largely been accomplished and is yielding data toward a manuscript and grant application.

Refinement assay for detection of G-actin binding proteins in Giardia.

Responsibilities included maintenance of cultures, microscopy, image analysis, column chromatography PAGE, protein expression immunoblotting assays.

Safety Officer in charge of radioactive material management as Radiation Safety Officer.  Oversight of laboratory inventory and procurement and management of equipment maintenance schedules.

Biology of Parasitism Course – Marine Biological Laboratory (Woods Hole) June 2007
Teaching Assistant for Heidi Elmendorf (module leader) Understanding Transcriptional Regulation

Responsibilities included project prep, procurement, lab setup, equipment maintenance, and technical assistance, cDNA and 5′-RACE.   
Research Assistant 2 – October 2000 – March 2004

Georgetown University; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Washington, D.C.

Cihlar Lab –  Participated in drug discovery research with Candida albicans utilizing molecular-based technologies, including proteomics and genomics. The study involved:  creation of protein constructs; expression of fusion proteins; protein purification methods, including column chromatography and dialysis; assay analysis; and protocol development. Investigated Giardia attachment capabilities on a variety of available biofilms. Ensured laboratory safety as the Radiation Safety Officer.

Lab Technician 2 – February 2000 – October 2000  MicroBioTest Inc., Sterling, Va.
Performed set-up and implementation of antimicrobial efficacy tests, including Sporicidal, Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), Use Dilution Test (UDT) and stress tests. Skilled in the use of environmental swabs and wipes. Cell culture identification and maintenance, including the isolation of duck primary hepatocytes.

Internship and Independent Research: 
E. coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes Food Micro Dept. and American Meat Institute

Microscopy Experience:
Zeiss Axio Plan with Photometrics cool snap camera and automated stage,  Zeiss Axio Phot with Axiocam both with Improvision Open Lab and Volocity restoration and deconvolution ability.  Nikon TE 2000 Inverted Microscope with DIC and epifluorescence optics, Uniblitz High Speed Shutter, Yokogawa CSU21 Spinning Disk Confocal Scan Head, Andor DV 887-BI camera, Hamamatsu ORCA ER Camera, ASI MS 2000-xy motorized XY, Piezosystems objective or stage control,  Bioptechs Live Cell Imaging Capabilities

Laboratory Skills:
A variety of molecular techniques, including: PCR and primer design; protein cloning; DNA purification; agarose gel electrophoresis; acrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE); western blots; protein expression and purification; Pierce BCA (bicinchoninic acid) Protein Assays; column chromatography; ELISA; media preparation; aseptic technique; experience in the isolation of pathogens; knowledge and understanding of current Good Laboratory Practices (cGLP); compliance to Standard Operating Procedures (SOP); and process validation. Certified in the handling of blood-borne pathogens and radioactive materials (RAM), as well as Biosafety Level 3 (BSL) practices.

Laboratory Equipment:  
Genios plate reader; Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope; Fluorescence Microscopy; Clone Manager; Techne gradient PCR thermocycler; GST and other fusion protein expression systems; BCA and Pierce protein assays; BioRad Mini-Protean 3 Gel System; APIƯ Microbial Identification Strips; custom fabrication of Pyrex equipment; and, autoclave operation.

Memberships:  
American Society of Microbiologists

Computer Skills:
SyEd Clone Manager; Web Cutter; various Internet applications; Web site development and .php script implementation; Microsoft Office; Adobe Photoshop. Developed and maintain Web sites for several online communities.