Agricultural Engineering B.S., 1994 Molecular Plant Breeding M.Sc., 2000 Molecular Plant Breeding Ph.D., 2004
Tizi-Ouzou University, Algeria Int. Center for Adv. Studies, Spain Justus Liebig University, Germany
I developed and manage a new program to investigate the impact of biotic and abiotic stressors on honey bee. My research goals center on finding management methods that mitigate these environmental insults, for example through a balanced nutrition. My other research interest, also related to environmental stress, concerns the study of drought resistance in plants. Through my scholarly efforts, I acquired expertise in genomics methodologies, notably RNA-seq workflow, and established a foundation for a Honey Bee Health and Genomics Laboratory. Because my program involves writing grants to carry out research projects, I acquired experience in project management including planning of all steps, budgeting, supervising subordinates, contracting, and coordination of all the tasks to bring the project goals to completion. As part of my duties I used different softwares such as statistical packages to analyze the acquired research data, infer the biological interpretation, and write pee-review research papers which allowed me to develop strong analytical skills and become a reviewer for reputable peer-reviewed journals. My duties also involve education as I teach students in the classroom, the lab and online. I developed new syllabi for different courses including KSU-186, for which I received recognition from the director of QEP committee.
Holding a double position, I sharpened my multi-tasking skills and ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment. As a technical support specialist, I excelled in problem solving. I interacted with customers troubleshooting biotechnology products usage including RNAi and Gene Expression methodologies. I suggested recommendations and solutions, provided advice and information regarding product handling, and experimental procedures. I wrote technical support documentation for molecular biological techniques, created and maintained a FAQs database. As an inside sales specialist, I practiced consultative selling by guiding and informing potential customers regarding products that best fit their research goals and helping them search genes of interest in NCBI databases. I also followed up with sales opportunities, closed substantial sales deals, assisted in sales and marketing processes, organized marketing campaigns, called on customers with field sales partners and represented the company in trade shows.
Identification of soybean mutants for gene function analysis: I expanded soybean mutant populations derived from Williams 82 to thousands of lines by subjecting the seeds to EMS-induced mutations, growing the plants in the greenhouse and subsequently in the field. I extracted DNA using a high throughput DNA extraction method and applied a reverse genetic technique known as Targeting Induced Local Lesions In Genomes (TILLING) to screen for punctual mutations of a sequence of interest in the potential mutants. Besides working on the TILLING research project, I managed the lab daily activities such as ordering supplies, maintaining equipment, dealing with research partners. I also provided technical training to lab employees and was in charge of the greenhouse and field trials by leading and supervising a group of work assistants.