Empathy-driven and open-minded community influencer
Objective
To gain experience and explore my local and global communities so I can better apply my academic background in science to help people gain an appreciation for and an understanding of the world and their role therein.
Education
Bachelor of Science | University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
august 2014 – december 2017
I received my undergraduate degree in Integrative Biology with a minor in Anthropology. I graduated with James Scholar distinction and was a member of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences’ James Scholar program for the duration of my degree. I have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.71 through my coursework; this work includes concentrated studies in chemistry, physics, introductory molecular biology, and a survey of biology courses covering genetics, ecology, evolution, anatomy and physiology, entomology, and mammalogy. Many of these courses incorporated lab work into their curricula; this time spent in the lab helped me learn how to work as part of a team and the related assignments helped me develop strong skills in statistical analysis.
Experience
Research Assistant (lab) | University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
august 2014 – may 2015
As a field worker and research assistant in a biogeochemical laboratory that studied environmental stable isotopes, ecosystem ecology, and novel experimental methods, my responsibilities included a variety of tasks. These tasks included operating a gas chromatograph machine, collecting and processing field samples (of gas and soil), taking precise measurements, and preparing reagents.
Park Maintenance | Naperville Park District
summer 2015 and summer 2016
Working as a member of a crew, I helped maintain the landscape at a local park and Riverwalk in order to uphold both structural practicality and aesthetic appearance. Routine tasks included cleaning, gardening, and assisting park patrons. However, each day on the job was different and my responsibilities also included vehicular maintenance, operation of power tools, landscaping (mulching, planting, etc.), preparing for inclement weather events, and random odd-jobs. This job required extensive self-direction and problem solving because the park was too large for everybody to be in the same place at the same time. As such, it was important to learn how to discern a situation that necessitated calling my boss from a situation that I should handle on my own.
Research Assistant (scorer) | University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
september 2015 – December 2017
The two-fold goal of this project was to use observations of student behavior to draw conclusions about student engagement during lectures and to use scores from certain assessments to draw conclusions about students’ academic progress. My contribution to this research primarily involved collecting data in two phases: The first was semi-regularly sitting in on a large biology lecture and covertly noting what students were doing during class time. The second was scoring pre- and post-learning assessments to measure trends in the students’ learning patterns.
Research Assistant (lab) | University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
august 2017 – may 2018
I worked in a lab in which I processed soil samples, weighed samples of various collected substances, and counted seeds. I also participated in field work that required me to survey agricultural plots and collect the weed species that were growing there.
AmeriCorps Member | EarthCorps
June 2018 – December 2018
As a member of a six-person crew, I worked on restoration projects in parks and other green spaces throughout the Puget Sound region to help create a future where people and nature are better able to thrive together. Practiced tasks included removal of invasive plant species, building and maintaining trails, having good interactions with the public and answering questions, camping techniques, developing team rapport, and adaptive management.
Skills
• Following scientific procedures; working with biological and general laboratory materials
• Clear, effective written communication in a variety of styles
• Basic knowledge of gardening and agriculture
• Basic mechanical work on vehicles and other machines
• Teaching volunteers about restoration and leading them through related activities
• Food Handler’s Card; Class 12 Mixologist License
• Self-directed and a quick learner
• Patient; good listener
• Organization and attention to detail
• Customer service and communicating with restaurant customers
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel
• Cross-cultural communication and interaction
• Proper use of a landscaping tools and methods
Activities
• I am bilingual and can speak conversational-level Japanese; I am working to improve this skill
• Stretching my non-technical muscles through photography, blogging, and drawing
• I help people in my neighborhood by babysitting their children and taking care of their house/pets while they are away
• Participating (as a mentor) in the James Scholar freshman mentorship program on campus
• During the Summer 2017 term, I studied abroad in Singapore and I felt that it made me much more aware of how human experiences are simultaneously universal and culturally unique. The experience piqued my interest in other countries and I hope to do more travelling.
experiences
• Developing a restoration plan and briefly stepping into the project manager role at EarthCorps
• Camping and working on trails in the North Cascades for ten consecutive days
Objective
To gain experience and explore my local and global communities so I can better apply my academic background in science to help people gain an appreciation for and an understanding of the world and their role therein.
Education
Bachelor of Science | University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
august 2014 – december 2017
I received my undergraduate degree in Integrative Biology with a minor in Anthropology. I graduated with James Scholar distinction and was a member of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences’ James Scholar program for the duration of my degree. I have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.71 through my coursework; this work includes concentrated studies in chemistry, physics, introductory molecular biology, and a survey of biology courses covering genetics, ecology, evolution, anatomy and physiology, entomology, and mammalogy. Many of these courses incorporated lab work into their curricula; this time spent in the lab helped me learn how to work as part of a team and the related assignments helped me develop strong skills in statistical analysis.
Experience
Research Assistant (lab) | University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
august 2014 – may 2015
As a field worker and research assistant in a biogeochemical laboratory that studied environmental stable isotopes, ecosystem ecology, and novel experimental methods, my responsibilities included a variety of tasks. These tasks included operating a gas chromatograph machine, collecting and processing field samples (of gas and soil), taking precise measurements, and preparing reagents.
Park Maintenance | Naperville Park District
summer 2015 and summer 2016
Working as a member of a crew, I helped maintain the landscape at a local park and Riverwalk in order to uphold both structural practicality and aesthetic appearance. Routine tasks included cleaning, gardening, and assisting park patrons. However, each day on the job was different and my responsibilities also included vehicular maintenance, operation of power tools, landscaping (mulching, planting, etc.), preparing for inclement weather events, and random odd-jobs. This job required extensive self-direction and problem solving because the park was too large for everybody to be in the same place at the same time. As such, it was important to learn how to discern a situation that necessitated calling my boss from a situation that I should handle on my own.
Research Assistant (scorer) | University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
september 2015 – December 2017
The two-fold goal of this project was to use observations of student behavior to draw conclusions about student engagement during lectures and to use scores from certain assessments to draw conclusions about students’ academic progress. My contribution to this research primarily involved collecting data in two phases: The first was semi-regularly sitting in on a large biology lecture and covertly noting what students were doing during class time. The second was scoring pre- and post-learning assessments to measure trends in the students’ learning patterns.
Research Assistant (lab) | University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
august 2017 – may 2018
I worked in a lab in which I processed soil samples, weighed samples of various collected substances, and counted seeds. I also participated in field work that required me to survey agricultural plots and collect the weed species that were growing there.
AmeriCorps Member | EarthCorps
June 2018 – December 2018
As a member of a six-person crew, I worked on restoration projects in parks and other green spaces throughout the Puget Sound region to help create a future where people and nature are better able to thrive together. Practiced tasks included removal of invasive plant species, building and maintaining trails, having good interactions with the public and answering questions, camping techniques, developing team rapport, and adaptive management.
Skills
• Following scientific procedures; working with biological and general laboratory materials
• Clear, effective written communication in a variety of styles
• Basic knowledge of gardening and agriculture
• Basic mechanical work on vehicles and other machines
• Teaching volunteers about restoration and leading them through related activities
• Food Handler’s Card; Class 12 Mixologist License
• Self-directed and a quick learner
• Patient; good listener
• Organization and attention to detail
• Customer service and communicating with restaurant customers
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel
• Cross-cultural communication and interaction
• Proper use of a landscaping tools and methods
Activities
• I am bilingual and can speak conversational-level Japanese; I am working to improve this skill
• Stretching my non-technical muscles through photography, blogging, and drawing
• I help people in my neighborhood by babysitting their children and taking care of their house/pets while they are away
• Participating (as a mentor) in the James Scholar freshman mentorship program on campus
• During the Summer 2017 term, I studied abroad in Singapore and I felt that it made me much more aware of how human experiences are simultaneously universal and culturally unique. The experience piqued my interest in other countries and I hope to do more travelling.
experiences
• Developing a restoration plan and briefly stepping into the project manager role at EarthCorps
• Camping and working on trails in the North Cascades for ten consecutive days