Vera Bzhilyanskaya

Hello! I am currently a post-baccalaureate research fellow at the National Institutes of Health and have experience in clinical and translational research.

NIAID, Genetic Immunotherapy Section                                            May 2021 – Present

IRTA Post Baccalaureate Fellow                                                                    

• Translate CRISPR/Cas9 base-editing to correct mutations in HSCs and T cells in patients diagnosed with primary immunodeficiencies 
• Analyze cell cultures, patient peripheral blood samples, and mouse models engrafted with gene-edited HSCs and T cells for protein markers using flow cytometry 

FDA, Center of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition                      May 2018 - May 2021

JIFSAN Research Intern

• Conducted elemental analysis using HPLC-ICP-MS to test levels of carcinogenic metals in food products to determine if in compliance with regulatory standards
• Developed a cost-effective, easy-to-use method using the Palintest Arsenator to test inorganic arsenic in rice samples 
• Used FDA database of heavy metal contamination in food products to provide graphical representations of research data according to needs of investigator 
• Revised the 2003 Discussion Paper on Methods for Lead Reduction in Plant Products and Beverages for presentation at the 2019 CODEX Alimentarius Commission in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Curative, Inc., Accessioning Department                                     July 2020 – April 2021

PM Shift Clinical Lab Assistant I Supervisor, Clinical Lab Assistant I 

• Create appointments for self-administered oral patient samples from the Department of Defense for SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing 
• Supervise a team of 50 clinical laboratory assistants and ensure compliance with all Standard Operating Procedures 
• Manage laboratory inventory and work closely with supply chain and QA/QC team
• Utilize Laboratory Information Diagnostic Systems to accession self-administered test kits and confirm patient health information prior to RT-PCR
• Prepare patient samples for pipetting in Hamilton Automated Liquid Handler

Hockey North America Association                           September 2016 – January 2020 

Scorekeeper 

• Monitor scoreboard during adult recreational hockey games
• Complete scorecard during games by disclosing points awarded, penalties received, and roster for both teams

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

For Love of Children                                                             September 2021 – July 2022 

Volunteer reading tutor

• Construct lesson plans for tutoring of elementary school students 
• Assist with weekly reading and writing instruction to improve academic performance of ESOL students

UMMC, R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center                      January 2019 – Present

Clinical Associate Program Chief, Clinical Associate Program Associate Chief, Volunteer

• Manage the training of all volunteers and conduct monthly lecture series to focus on volunteer re-education
• Update the program website with news and update and oversee all program committees and monthly meetings
• Manage the publication of summaries of clinical research articles translated to layman’s terms to the volunteer program’s website
• Collect physiological and psychological data from patients using electronic medical health records
• Work closely with nurses and physicians in the Shock Trauma Unit to screen patients for enrollment in prospective research studies
• Collect patient blood samples for lab testing to determine neurological biomarkers

A Wider Circle                                                             September 2020 – December 2020 

Volunteer

• Sow face masks for local families in the College Park community 
• Participate in weekly dialogue sessions to discuss socioeconomic inequities and their influence on health disparities 

UMD, English Department                                               January 2019 – December 2019

Undergraduate Teaching Assistant 

• Construct lesson plans and assist with leading discussions 
• Attend weekly meetings with professor to evaluate student work

UMD Alternative Breaks, KIPP Gaston College Preparatory                   January 2019                                                         

Volunteer 

• Assisted teachers with administrative tasks and creation of lesson plans
• Tutored students in math and biology through an after-school tutoring program      

Lucky Dog Animal Rescue                                               October 2018 – February 2020

Volunteer Liaison  

• Train new volunteers on how to properly handle rescue dogs and interact with potential adopters during adoption days
• Manage adoption paperwork and conduct home visits for potential adopters 

University of Maryland, College Park, MD                                 August 2017 – May 2021

Bachelor of Science: Biological Science, Neurobiology and Physiology 

GPA: 3.959