Claudia Desjardins
Claudia Desjardins
------------ 13 Birchwood Avenue
------------ Bangor, Maine 04401
________________________________________
EDUCATION
BS, University of Maine- Orono, Maine (expected) December 2020
Major: Animal and Veterinary Science
Minor: Mathematics, Concentration: Pre-vet
GPA: 3.301
ANIMAL AND VETERINARY SCIENCE SENIOR CAPSTONE
University of Maine: School of Food and Agriculture, Orono, Maine
*Researched avian retroviral strain diversity and geographic distribution in wild turkeys
*Performed DNA extractions following Qiagen DNeasy animal blood and tissue protocol
*Followed conventional PCR protocol and conducted agarose gel electrophoresis
*Utilized R software for data analysis
*Earned BSL-2 and CITI Program lab safety training
WORK EXPERIENCE
University of Maine: Wheeler Lab, Orono, Maine
August 2020 to present; Student Research Assistant IV
*Facilitated COVID-19 surveillance on campus by testing for SARS-COV-2 in wastewater through real time PCR
*Conduct wastewater concentration and RNA purification following IDEXX protocol
*Analyze wastewater data using Excel and standard curves
*Revised Wastewater Testing Standard Operating Procedures
UMaine Extension Diagnostic & Research Laboratory: Tick Lab, Orono, Maine
May 2020 to present; Student Research Assistant III
*Enable passive tick surveillance through processing and molecular lab testing for tick-borne pathogens
*Gain experience in DNA extraction and quantitative PCR using both BioRad and QuantStudios systems
*Perform data entry, data analysis, primer/probe preparation, and genetic sequencing
*Co-authored manuscript on passive statewide surveillance of Ixodes scapularis and associated pathogens
in Maine
University of Maine: Wildlife Disease Genetics Lab, Orono, Maine
September 2020 to present; Student Research Assistant
*Assist graduate students with research testing
*Follow lab protocols for various DNA extraction techniques and qPCR
*Prepared and handled animal blood samples
CERTIFICATIONS AND TRAININGS
CITI Program
Introduction to Biosafety expires August 2023
NIH Recombinant DNA (rDNA) Guidelines expires August 2023
Select Agents, Biosecurity and Bioterrorism expires August 2023
Basic Biosafety Training
Training for Investigators, Staff and Students Handling Biohazards expires August 2023
AWARDS
University of Maine Student Symposium 2020 October 2, 2020
Highest Scoring Undergraduate Presentation in Natural Sciences
University of Maine Biological Undergraduate Research Poster Session
Blue Ribbon Award Winner December 2, 2017
Claudia Desjardins
------------ 13 Birchwood Avenue
------------ Bangor, Maine 04401
________________________________________
EDUCATION
BS, University of Maine- Orono, Maine (expected) December 2020
Major: Animal and Veterinary Science
Minor: Mathematics, Concentration: Pre-vet
GPA: 3.301
ANIMAL AND VETERINARY SCIENCE SENIOR CAPSTONE
University of Maine: School of Food and Agriculture, Orono, Maine
*Researched avian retroviral strain diversity and geographic distribution in wild turkeys
*Performed DNA extractions following Qiagen DNeasy animal blood and tissue protocol
*Followed conventional PCR protocol and conducted agarose gel electrophoresis
*Utilized R software for data analysis
*Earned BSL-2 and CITI Program lab safety training
WORK EXPERIENCE
University of Maine: Wheeler Lab, Orono, Maine
August 2020 to present; Student Research Assistant IV
*Facilitated COVID-19 surveillance on campus by testing for SARS-COV-2 in wastewater through real time PCR
*Conduct wastewater concentration and RNA purification following IDEXX protocol
*Analyze wastewater data using Excel and standard curves
*Revised Wastewater Testing Standard Operating Procedures
UMaine Extension Diagnostic & Research Laboratory: Tick Lab, Orono, Maine
May 2020 to present; Student Research Assistant III
*Enable passive tick surveillance through processing and molecular lab testing for tick-borne pathogens
*Gain experience in DNA extraction and quantitative PCR using both BioRad and QuantStudios systems
*Perform data entry, data analysis, primer/probe preparation, and genetic sequencing
*Co-authored manuscript on passive statewide surveillance of Ixodes scapularis and associated pathogens
in Maine
University of Maine: Wildlife Disease Genetics Lab, Orono, Maine
September 2020 to present; Student Research Assistant
*Assist graduate students with research testing
*Follow lab protocols for various DNA extraction techniques and qPCR
*Prepared and handled animal blood samples
CERTIFICATIONS AND TRAININGS
CITI Program
Introduction to Biosafety expires August 2023
NIH Recombinant DNA (rDNA) Guidelines expires August 2023
Select Agents, Biosecurity and Bioterrorism expires August 2023
Basic Biosafety Training
Training for Investigators, Staff and Students Handling Biohazards expires August 2023
AWARDS
University of Maine Student Symposium 2020 October 2, 2020
Highest Scoring Undergraduate Presentation in Natural Sciences
University of Maine Biological Undergraduate Research Poster Session
Blue Ribbon Award Winner December 2, 2017