Comments are closed.
CV
December 14th, 2009
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
■ 5 years experience in molecular genetic labs.
■ Strong laboratory skills and willing to learn new techniques. Skilled in: DNA extraction (chelex and column kits), RNA extraction, PCR, cycle sequencing, microsatellite fragment analysis, PCR sub-cloning (TopoKit), use of ABI 377 and ABI 3100 sequencers, and microbiology techniques (ex. making media, streaking, and sub-culturing). Also, skilled at analysis of 454 pyrosequencing for bacterial community comparisons.
■ Self-motivated, dedicated scientist with exceptional organizational and troubleshooting skills.
■ Strong educational background in molecular techniques, genetics, and general biology.
■ Skilled at both Macintosh and PC computers, and proficient in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Adobe Illustrator, GenBank (NCBI), and sequencing software such as Sequencing Analysis, Sequencher, MacClade, Modeltest, Paup, Garli, and Mr. Bayes. Also familar with Perl and creating custom scripts for dealing with large sequencing files.
EDUCATION
■ MS Biology, San Francisco State University, June 2007 (4.0 GPA).
■ BS in Animal Science, with High Honors, University of California at Davis, May 2005 (3.67 GPA).
EMPLOYMENT/INTERNSHIPS
September 2007 to present, Austin, TX
Lab Manager, University of Texas at Austin
■ Manage a working molecular lab, including purchasing laboratory supplies, preparing and allocating stock solutions, maintaining laboratory equipment, and actively training and advising graduate and undergraduate students about their projects in the lab.
■ Conduct experiments with behavioral and molecular components.
■ Use PCR screening and genetic sequencing for bacterial (16S) and fungal gardens (ITS, LSU, EF1, RAD, DMC).
■ Run fragment analyses.
■ Developed a microsatellite multiplex system (15 loci in two reactions) for a thorough and efficient way of genotyping fungi.
■ Coach four graduate students on microsatellite analysis including loci selection, primer development, creating multiplex reactions, and analysis.
■ Catalog and organize samples into databases for long-term storage.
■ Administer compliance with Environmental Health and Safety procedures.
August 2005 to 2007, San Francisco, CA
Lab Technician, Conservation Genetic Lab, San Francisco State University
■ Used PCR screening methods and genetic sequencing to identify three blood parasite species found in birds to better understand parasite/host co-evolution.
■ Maintained, cataloged, and processed samples from multiple projects into databases and maintained meticulous laboratory notebooks.
■ Actively trained and advised other graduate and undergraduate students about their projects in the lab.
February 2005 to July 2005, Sacramento, CA
Student Assistant, Environmental Protection Agency
■ Worked with a team to develop an on-line series of Pesticide Use Bulletins of Endangered Species.
■ Obtained photos and copyright clearances, wrote simple and detailed species descriptions for the average internet reader and farmer.
January 2003 to July 2003; January 2004 to March 2005, Davis, CA
Volunteer & Staff, CA Raptor Rehabilitation Center
■ Worked as volunteer with injured and resident hawks and owls, performing general medical procedures, feeding, and cleaning enclosures.
■ Hired as staff in August 2004, independently supervised center on weekends and holidays, managed and assigned duties to 2-5 volunteers, regularly admitted new injured birds and assessed their condition, and took serious injuries to the Veterinary Medical Training Hospital.
July 2003 to January 2004; Migration Seasons 2004-2006, Marin Headlands, CA
Intern & Volunteer, The Golden Gate Raptor Observatory
■ Interned during the 2003 hawk migration season and volunteered yearly thereafter.
■ Trapped, banded, radio tracked, identified, and counted nineteen hawk species.
■ Worked as a site leader, in charge of running a banding blind operation and managing 2-3 volunteers. In charge of bird and volunteer safety, and opening and closing down the blinding site.
■ Additional tasks included: training volunteers, acting as a docent for tourists and school groups, and taking blood samples for avian diseases (blood parasites, West Nile Virus, and Avian Flu). www.ggro.org
September 2001 to June 2002, Davis, CA
Science Educator and Curriculum Writer, Animal Ambassadors
■ Researched and single handedly wrote a bird themed set of curricula using an inquiry based learning technique to educate elementary school children about animals.
■ In 2002, taught the curricula and other lessons to fourth graders at a local school.
■ Prepared the lessons, taught, and gave reviews of the children’s responses to the lessons.
PUBLICATIONS
Ishak, HD, Miller, JL, Sen, R, Dowd, SE, Meyer, E, and UG Mueller. 2011. Microbiomes of ant castes implicate new microbial roles in the fungus-growing ant Trachymyrmex septentrionalis. Scientific Reports doi:10.1038/srep00204
Rabeling, CR, Gonzales, O, Schultz, T, Bacci, M Jr, Garcia, M, Verhaagh, M, Ishak, HD, and UG Mueller. 2011. Cryptic sexual populations account for genetic diversity and ecological success in a widely distributed, parthenogenetic fungus-growing ant. PNAS doi: 10.1073/pnas.1105467108
Rodrigues, A, Mueller, UG, Ishak, HD, Bacci, M Jr, and FC Pagnocca. 2011. Ecology of microfungal communities in gardens of fungus-growing ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): A year-long survey of three species of attine ants in Central Texas. FEMS Microbiology Ecology. DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6941.2011.01152.x
Mueller, UG, Mikheyev, AS, Hong, E, Sen, R, Warren, DL, Solomon, SE, Ishak, HD, Cooper, M, Miller, JL, Shaffer, KA, and TE Juenger. 2011. Evolution of cold-tolerant fungal symbionts permits winter fungiculture by leafcutter ants at the northern frontier of tropical ant-fungus symbiosis. PNAS doi:10.1073/pnas.1015806108
Ishak, HD, Plowes, R, Sen, R, Kellner, K, Meyer, E, Estrada, DA, Dowd, SE, and UG Mueller. 2010. Bacterial diversity in Solenopsis invicta and Solenopsis geminata ant colonies characterized by 16S amplicon 454 pyrosequencing. Microbial Ecology DOI: 10.1007/s00248-010-9793-4
Choo, J, Ishak, HD, Juenger, TE, Mueller, U, and BB Simpson. 2010. Characterization of 14 microsatellite loci in a tropical palm Attalea phalerata (Arecaceae). American Journal of Botany doi:10.3732/ajb.1000281
Ishak, HD, Loiseau, C, Hull, AC, and RNM Sehgal. 2010. Prevalence of blood parasites in migrating and wintering California hawks. Journal of Raptor Research 44: 215-223.
Mueller, UG, Scott, JJ, Ishak, HD, Cooper, M, Rodrigues, A. 2010. Monoculture of Leafcutter Ant Gardens. PLoS One. http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0012668
Sen, R, Ishak, HD, Kniffin, TR, and UG Mueller. 2010. Construction of chimaeric gardens through fungal intercropping: a symbiont choice experiment in the leafcutter ant Atta texana (Attini, Formicidae). Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 64: 1125-1133. DOI: 10.1007/s00265-010-0928-x.
Mueller, UG, Ishak, HD, Lee, JC, Sen, R and RR Gutell. 2010. Placement of attine ant-associated Pseudonocardia in a global Pseudonocardia phylogeny (Pseudocardiaceae, Actinomycetales): a test of two symbiont-association models. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek. DOI 10.1007/s104082-010-9427-3.
Sen, R, Ishak, HD, Estrada, D, Dowd, SE, Hong, E, and UG Mueller. 2009. Generalized antifungal activity and 454-screening of Pseudonocardia and Amycolatopsis bacteria in nests of fungus-growing ants. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 106: 17805-17810. PNAS 2009 106: 17805-17810
Ishak HD, Dumbacher JP, Anderson NL, Keane JJ, Valkiunas G, Haig S, Tell LA, and RNM Sehgal. (2008). Blood parasites in owls with conservation implications for the Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis). PLoS ONE 3 (5): e2304.doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0002304
PRESENTATIONS
Aug. 1, 2007- Lindsay Wildlife Museum- Walnut Creek, CA (talk)
Jun. 25, 2007- San Francisco State University- San Francisco (talk)
Feb. 10, 2007- Bay Area Conservation Biology Symposium (9th annual) – Berkeley, CA (talk)
Oct. 3-7, 2006- North American Ornithological Conference (IV) – Veracruz, MX (poster)
May 4, 2006- College of Science & Engineering Student Showcase- San Francisco, CA (poster)
Feb. 4, 2006- Bay Area Conservation Biology Symposium – San Francisco, CA (poster)
Spring 2004 and 2005- UC Davis Raptor Biology Class- Davis, CA (talk on West Nile Virus)
Spring 2004- Golden Gate Raptor Observatory Bander’s Meeting- San Francisco, CA (talk on West Nile Virus)