Work:
Dr. Paul (Kip) Kinchington
Lab Technician
Dr. Jon Boyle
Host-Pathogen Interaction
Dr. Jeffrey Lawrence
Researcher
University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh, PA
Work Study
Education:
University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh, PA
BS in Microbiology
Skills:
RELEVANT UNDERGRADUATE LABORATORY COURSEWORK: Microbiology Lab, University of Pittsburgh: Swabbed computer key surfaces to identify bacteria on the keyboards Performed selective media tests to identify the various colony growth Performed antibiotic resistance on Mueller-Hilton agar Species identification was determined through results Presented the results in a poster session Microbial Genetic Engineering Lab, University of Pittsburgh: Chose a gene sequence that was unrecognized in GenBank from the bacteriophage Giles Introduced mutations in the DNA that knocked out the unidentified gene Amplified the deleted DNA by PCR Introduced the deleted sequence with wild-type phage DNA in M. smegmatis to get phage recombination Plaques were picked from the M. smegmatis lawn in an attempt to isolate mutants Gel electrophoresis was performed to identify the mutants The mutants were plated to see if the deleted gene is a vital gene Results were presented in a poster session Undergraduate Laboratory Procedures: DNA/RNA amplification, sterile technique, spectroscopy, gram staining, pure culture techniques (three phase streaking pattern, plate to tube transfer, etc.), dilution plating, serial dilutions, biochemical differential tests (carbohydrate fermentation test, indole test, gelatin liquefaction test, catalase test, oxidase test), gel electrophoresis, percent yield, crystallization techniques, qiagen DNA extractions, DNA quantitation with spectrophotometer, PCR amplification, electroporation, replica plating, transduction, freezing down strains