Education

The University of Texas at Austin

   Bachelor of Arts in Biology May 2005

Courses

Microbial Ecology, Microbial Genetics, Microbial Physiology and Ecology, Microbial Cell Structure, Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory, General Microbiology Laboratory, Cell Biology, Genetics, Human Infectious Diseases, Public Health Bacteriology Laboratory, Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry

Skills

Laboratory:  Experience with DNA extraction techniques, DNA purification, polymerase chain reaction, gel electrophoresis, DNA sequencing, cell culture, general laboratory techniques

Computer:  Microsoft Office, Internet searches

Other: Spanish speaking ability

Research Experience

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California

Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship. September-January 2005

• Produced bacterial and fungal cultures under proprietary growth conditions to ensure secondary metabolite production for further screening

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California

Mickey Leland Energy Fellow June-August 2004

• Developed efficient methods of genomic DNA extraction for hyperthermophylic microorganisms in environmental soil samples
• PCR amplified the α-galactosidase enzyme coding sequence to allow for its transfer to leguminous plants for post-harvest crop modification
• Gave an invited Power Point presentation at a Department of Energy technical forum in Houston, TX and wrote a scientific report based on literature and research results

Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC

Office of Naval Research Intern  May-August 2002

• Researched ways to improve shipboard water treatment by replicating the Navy’s current system and performing various analytical tests on wastewater specimens in order to classify levels of bacterial contamination

Honors and Activities

University of Texas Natural Sciences Council Scholarship   August 1999

Partnership for Excellence in the Natural Sciences  August 1999 - May 2001

Big Brothers Big Sisters Volunteer  January - May 2005

Catholic Workers  at present

Mary Singer
Research Associate

Ecology Department

Phone: 510-486-4037
Fax: 510-486-5686
Email: MESinger@lbl.gov