Laboratory
UF Cancer and Genetics Research
Lab Technician and Undergraduate Research (2 years)
This lab focuses on genetic regulation at an epigenetic level, specifically on the effect of methylation on cancer-related genes like tumor-suppressor or oncogenes. Some skills I gained will researching and working here include tissue culture protocol, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, gel electrophoresis, DNA extraction and purification. I was able to independently work, taking care of my cells and maintain a properly formatted research lab notebook.
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To find out more about the Kladde Lab:
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UF X-Laboratory 2 Interdisciplinary Undergraduate
Teaching Assistant (1 semester)
X-labs is an innovative course at UF that combines physics, biology, and chemistry into one cross-disciplinary lab. As my first class at UF, it opened my eyes to how much I enjoyed science and research, in addition to medicine. I was able to start building my microscopy, pipetting, data analyzing, and experiment planning skills only a few weeks after graduating high school. I then went on to hold a position as TA for x-labs 2 my junior year. This position gave me immense practice teaching science and explaining complex ideas.
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To find out more about UF's X-Laboratory's:
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UF Advanced Microbiology Labs
I acquired practical benchwork and lab skills such as recombinant plasmid assembly, sanger sequencing, DNA isolation, and western blot. For a final project we designed and implemented independent research projects and presented them in a small research symposium.
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To find out more about UF's Microbiology and Cell Science Department:
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Clinical
St. Petersburg Endoscopy Center Nurses' Aide​
This gastroenterology surgical center took me on as a nurse's assistant during my summer break of 2015. I expressed interest to work there during the summer of 2017 and was employed again. I helped patients prepping to go to surgery and immediately upon getting out. I gained countless hours of patient interaction and was given an insight on surgical sanitation and how insurance works in a medical business office
Gastroenterologist Physician Shadowing
As an employee of St. Petersburg Endoscopy Center, I was able to consensually view several colonoscopies and esophagogastroduodenoscopies. Shadowing Dr. Amy Strickland was an amazing experience because, as a female doctor, she had great advice for me. I also thought she had outstanding bedside manner, fostering a strong doctor-patient relationship.
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Shand's Pediatric Cardiologist Physician Shadowing
As a feature of a UF course, MDU4004 Physician Shadowing, I was able to shadow Dr. Arun Chandran. He is an extremely intelligent and kind man who taught me many things, such as how to find trusted medical information online (to help define some of the more complex cardiology terms), how to read EKGs and identify abnormalities, and what a heart murmur sounds like.
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All Children's Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon Shadowing
Still pursuing my interest in pediatric care, I reached out to a local hospital in my hometown and was able to set up a week-long shadowing opportunity behind two doctors, Dr. Paul Benfanti and Dr. Gregory Hahn. My days spent in their officer was truly unforgettable, I saw some procedures that I had never even heard of and watched as the doctors dealt with patient issues I had never considered. The way these two men interacted with not only their young patients, but physician's assistants, parents, and office staff was inspiring. They taught me that you can be an authority figure while still being down-to-earth and funny.
