MICHELLE RODRIGUEZ445 E 51 Street Hialeah, FL 33013 (786) 458-1888 mrodriguez890@ufl.edu

ENERGETIC, HARD-WORKING AND VERSATILE UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHER SEEKING GRADUATE DEGREE IN THE BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES. Student/Intern career spans 2-3 years of undergraduate research, volunteer service, and related work experience in microbiology, molecular biology, and plant pathology. Has strong interest in molecular biology, microbiology and molecular genetics with a concentration emphasis on cell structure and function and biochemistry.

EDUCATIONAL HISTORYUNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA April 2015B.S. Microbiology & Cell Science; Upper Division GPA: 3.83Dean’s List. CALS Honors Scholar, Prospective Summa cum Laude

MIAMI DADE COLLEGE April 2011A.A. Biology, GPA: 3.85Award of Excellence in Arts & Philosophy

AWARDS/SCHOLARSHIPS Microbiology & Cell Science Scholarship STEP – National Science Foundation

2013 – 2015 Douglas Turner Grant

2014 – 2015 J Ball & Alfred Dupont Scholarship

2014 – 2015 International Scholar Laureate

2014 - 2015RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Undergraduate Researcher, LSAMP: Undergraduate Summer Research Program May 2013 – PRESENTUniversity of Florida Molecular fingerprinting of microbial populations in phytoplasma-diseased maize corn. The goal of this project is to characterize a plasmid associated with an MBS phytoplasma strain isolated from corn in Ohio. Using a cloned random fragment of MBS plasmid DNA as template, PCR protocols and primer design were employed to construct and circularize the entire plasmid. The plasmid DNA will be sequenced to provide at least 3x coverage. Sequences assembled, putative open reading frames (ORFs) identified and annotated using various bioinformatics tools. (25hrs/wk for 1 year)

Undergraduate Researcher. Miami Dade College October 2012- April 2013Verifying compatibility between species of palmetto palms via analysis of chloroplast DNA and structure of enzyme Ribulose-1, 5-bisphosphate carboxylase (RuBisCO). Main goal is to extract chloroplasts of Palmetto Palms and sequence chloroplast DNA of various species. Final result will be a sequencing of the entire chloroplast and analyzing the functions of the RuBisCo enzyme in glucose anabolism. (10 hrs/wk for 6 months)

WORK EXPERIENCEBiology Lab Assistant, Part-Time, Miami Dade College December 2014 - PRESENTAssists with the preparation of culture media, live materials, properly store and dispense biohazardous waste. Assists with preparation of microbial cultures, including pathogenic microbes. Responsible for the Biology, BSC 1005, BSC 2085 and 2086, BSC2010 and 2011, MCB2010 laboratory settings

Miami Dade College 2013- PRESENTPosition: Part Time Science Tutor Assisting adjunct professors with course curriculum and student feedback, assist

students with (CHM1045, CHM1046, CHM2010, CHM2011) and biology (BSC2010, BSC2011)

Create worksheets and fliers advertising tutoring services, assist instructors in designing worksheets and reviews for students, fill out paperwork for each tutoring session and report hours to assigned mentors

CTD Lab Assistant, Part-Time. Miami Dade College October 2011 – March 2012 Maintained Open Lab Hours; Assisted faculty, staff, and administrators with learning software and online applications; Assisted faculty in enhancing their online courses using the College’s current Learning Management System and with the development of Web-Enhanced or Blended (Online) Courses Maintained the lab computers with up-to-date software as needs arise and prepared weekly lab usage reports

VOLUNTEER WORK

STEM Advisement Day November-October 2014Location: Miami Dade College North CampusPresented as an ambassador for UF Microbiology & Cell Science Program. Responsible for assisting recruitment of new students to the program.

Urban Paradise Guild April 2010Location: Oleta River State Park in North Miami FLProject: Removal of invasive plant species and clean-up of area

Aardvark Animal Hospital March 2001 – December 2001Location: Hialeah, FloridaShadowed DVM in surgical procedures, Conducted standard blood, fecal testing procedures (ex: Heartworm screening for cats/dogs), Assisted with examination procedures

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES International Golden Key Honor Society STEM Ambassador for UF Microbiology & Cell Science Program Member, Student Government Association (SGA) Phi Theta Kappa