Julia Hope Potocnjak

Tyler, TX

Higher Education

University of Colorado Boulder
Professional Research Assistant
Ut Tyler Innovation Academy Aug 2016 - May 2017
Ace After School
University of Texas at Tyler Aug 2012 - Nov 2013
Research Assistant
Discovery Science Place Aug 2012 - Nov 2013
Graduate Teaching Assistant
University of Texas - Pan American Aug 2010 - Dec 2011
Research Assistant

Microsoft Office
Microsoft Excel
Field Work
Sampling
Dna Extraction
Dna Electrophoresis
Dna Sequencing
Biomedical Ethics
Volunteering
Presentations
Published Co Author
Blog Feature
Dog Walking
Chair Yoga
Yin Yoga
Data Collection
Medical Entomology
Disease Transmission
Plant Pathogens
Stem
Scanning Electron Microscopy
Phylogenetics
Insect Morphology
Science and Math Tutor
Sequence Alignment
Barcode of Life
Clustal
Dna Amplification
Gel Excision
Manuscript Development
Treedyn
Phytoplasma
Ncbi
Scientific Writing
Science Education
Life Sciences
Molecular Biology

The Innovation Academy

Aug 2012 to 2000
After School Teacher
Doctors' Hospital at Renaissance
Edinburg, TX
May 2012 to Jul 2012
Laboratory Assistant

The University of Texas at Tyler
Tyler, TX
2012 to 2014
M.S. in Molecular Biology
The University of Texas
Edinburg, TX
May 2012
B.S. in Biology

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE Department of Biology, The University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, Texas Supervisor: Dr. Blake Bextine Molecular Biology Lab I am currently conducting my thesis research on plant bacteria, more specifically phytoplasma. The specific strains that I am working to detect are Lethal Yellow (LY) and Texas Phoenix Palm Decline (TPPD) or Texas Palm Decline (TPD). The molecular work that I have been doing includes: DNA extraction of plant and insect samples, nested PCR, gel electrophoresis, DNA quantification, gel excision and gel purification, preparing samples for sequencing, analysis of sequence data, multiple alignments using clustal, phylogenetic tree formation using TreeDyn. I have also been working on restriction enzyme assays to identify the specific phytoplasma present in some of my samples. In addition, I am working on a habitat suitability index (HSI) using MaxENT to determine future field sites. I am also conducting transmission studies, trying to determine transmission ability by analyzing sucrose solution sachets that my study insects may have fed on. I am also working on a manuscript on my current and undergraduate research for future publication. Department of Biology, The University of Texas-Pan American, Edinburg, Texas Supervisor: Dr. Erin Schuenzel Undergraduate Genetics Lab I assisted a graduate student with their thesis project. Duties included: DNA extraction, RT-PCR trials and running PCR gels. Department of Biology, The University of Texas-Pan American, Edinburg, Texas Supervisor: Dr. Michael Persans Undergraduate Student Molecular Biology Lab I assisted graduate students with various aspects of their thesis projects. Duties included: Assisting with RNA Purification and quantification, pipetting, plant grinding with liquid Nitrogen, helped run gels for PCR testing. Prepared media necessary for molecular biology lab classes. Department of Biology, The University of Texas-Pan American, Edinburg, Texas Supervisor: Dr. Christopher Vitek Undergraduate Student Medical and Ecological Entomology Lab Designed and carried out research experiment which studied predator/prey interactions with modified phenotypes; reared and maintained reduviid colony, with future generations available for additional research, carried out general lab duties including care of all lab animals, cleanliness of the lab, also included blood feeding, rearing of mosquito eggs and larvae. My undergraduate research work was funded by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute grant for undergraduate research. RESEARCH SKILLS Research skills include designing laboratory experiment; field collecting of insects using light traps and carbon dioxide emissions, rearing and maintenance of laboratory colony specimens including mosquito and reduviid species; use of Excel spreadsheets to record data, development of PowerPoint and poster presentations to present findings; liquid nitrogen handling, media preparation, pipette skills, blood feeding, aspirator handling, field work assisting others in dengue summer project.