Ainhoa Rodriguez Pereira
E-mail:-Tel:-
Career objective
Former research assistant and laboratory manager at Driscoll’s Genetics. I graduated in BSc (Hons)
Biosciences from Canterbury Christ Church University with a 1st Class Honours Degree I also
completed a Master’s in Biomedical and Molecular Sciences Research at King’s College London with
Distinction. I am an organized, proficient and ambitious individual aiming to pursue a career in a
company where I can apply and expand my skills.
Practical skills
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Molecular biology: PCR, DNA gel electrophoresis, plasmid DNA purification (mini and
midiprep), RNA and miRNA extraction and quantification using different methods, molecular
cloning using different techniques, preparing chemically competent cells, CRISPR/Cas9 gene
editing.
Biochemistry: Protein quantification (Bradford assay), SDS-PAGE, Western blots,
luminescence assays.
Tissue and cell culture: Mammalian cell culture on HEK293T cells.
Microbiology: Bacterial culture in different media (broth and agar), isolation, transformation,
procedures requiring aseptic conditions, virological techniques working with virus-like particles
(VLPs) for Ebola virus (trVLP system), Lentivirus transfection and infection of mammalian
cells.
Analytical methods: Spectrophotometry, chromatography (GC, HPLC), theory-based
knowledge and interpretation of NMR.
IT Skills: Bioinformatics Software: MEGA4, Clustal, and GraphPad PRISM. Other software:
GeneScan and GeneMarker, Microsoft Office.
Education and professional training
MSc Biomedical and Molecular Sciences Research
2017
Research project: Regulation of Ebola virus gene expression and replication by stress granules.
Stress granules have been shown to negatively impact replication of some virus, in this research
project, proteins involved in the aggregation and formation of stress granules were overexpressed and
knocked-down using CRISPR/Cas9 in HEK239T cells, infected with a system that models the life
cycle of EBOV, the transcription and replication-competent virus-like particles (trVLP). This was
measured using western blotting and luminescence techniques to quantify EBOV replication and gene
expression.
BSc (Hons) Biosciences 1st Class Degree
Canterbury Christ Church University– Canterbury Kent
2015
Bachelor’s degree in Biosciences. Modules: Anatomy and physiology, Reproduction and
development, Plant control systems, Molecular biology, Communication and analysis in science and
Chemistry of the environmental and life sciences.Introduction to bioinformatics, Bioinformatics II,
Applied biological chemistry, Radiobiology, Biological imaging and individual research-based study.
Degree in Biology (First year)
University of Vigo– Vigo, Pontevedra (Spain)
2013
Studying modules such as Evolution, Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Geology, Land, aquatic
environment and climate and Basic field and laboratory techniques.
Professional experience
Research Assistant and Laboratory Manager
Oct 2017- Sept 2019
Driscoll’s Genetics Ltd- Assisting strawberry breeding team in Marker Assisted Selection including:
Coordinating the collection of material.
Interpreting and analyzing results of KASP and Axiom genotyping.
Running and interpreting KASP assays, PCR market assays and TaqMan assays to aid breeding
decisions.
Presentation of results.
-Assisting molecular team in PCR, TaqMan and KASP marker development for strawberry breeding.
-Optimization and implementation of a high-throughput DNA extraction and quality control pipeline.
-Running an SSR fingerprinting service to assist the need of the Europe and Middle East Driscoll’s
teams.
-Laboratory manager tasks:
Implementing and making sure health and safety regulations are being followed.
Keeping SOP, MSDS and safety information up to date.
Maintaining laboratory stock and ordering supplies to supply research needs.
Administrative tasks such as keeping invoice records and keeping a budget.
Laboratory Technician (Part-time/ Flexible)
Nov 2016 - Sept 2017
NIAB-EMR- Assisting commercial fingerprinting team in molecular biology tasks such as DNA
extraction on plant tissues from different crops (strawberry, plum, apple), PCR and NanoDrop DNA
quantification.
Glasshouse Technician
Apr 2016 - Sept 2016
AG-Thames Holdings Ltd- Assisting strawberry breeding team in glasshouse housekeeping tasks
as well as trials and preparing experiments.
Research Technician
Oct 2015 - Mar 2016
East Malling Research - Assisting Laboratory manager in Marker-Assisted Breeding Project.
Involving optimization of novel gDNA extraction methods using Tecan Genesis robot for extraction
from octoploid plant tissue. ABI Prism sequencing for fingerprinting and octoploid marker analysis
using GeneScan and Genotyper software. Creating a Database of Plasmids, Pathogens and
Agrobacterium stocks. Assisting in independent tasks such as keeping media and reagent stocks for
molecular and microbiology and maintenance as well as helping with independent projects.
Transferable skills
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Interpersonal: Working in an interdisciplinary team and sharing information and findings,
leading small groups in laboratory-based assignments.
Research: Undergoing two research projects as an undergraduate and postgraduate involving
writing a scientific paper, thesis, and presentation.
Critical and analytical and problem-solving: Working independently in the laboratory.
Reviewing papers and analyzing data.
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Written and oral communication: I am fluent in both, English and Spanish and I have acquired
the capacity to successfully present information written and verbally in both languages.
Time management and organization: Meeting deadlines during both my undergraduate and
postgraduate research projects as well as attending lectures and working part-time.
Interests
I enjoy traveling and hiking. I have also attended cinematography and scriptwriting courses.
