OVERVIEW:
I am a dependable, hard-working researcher interested in genomics and computational biology. As both an avid and adaptable learner, I work well both individually and in teams. My currentgoals include completing a Master’s degree in Biology, expanding my computational skill set, andcontributing to genomic research.
EDUCATION:
MS Biology
Washington State University
Certificate: Bioinformatics
BS Biology
Illinois Wesleyan University
Minor: Computer Science
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE:
Patterns of diversity in leaf endophyte communities across highly differentiated populations of Theobroma cacao, Master’s Thesis
- Quantified relative abundance and relatedness of microorganisms in 200 T. cacao samples to characterize microbes across different host populations.
- Identified differential representation of metabolic pathways in microbe genomes.
Development of Bacteriophage Database, Independent Research
- Created a web-based application that allows students to input data regarding newly discovered bacteriophages into a university database.
- Allows users to edit their information without deleting/changing information regarding other student’s discovered bacteriophages.
Annotation of Potential Helicase Gene, Independent Research
- Conducted analysis of potential ATP-dependent helicase gene in recently discovered bacteriophage "MrWorf" and annotated genomes within host Rhodobacter capsulatus bacteriophage cluster for genetic similarity.
- Presented written report summarizing research to biology faculty, staff, and students.
Biofortification Research Intern
- Studied biofortification of high zinc rice varieties in the Plant Breeding Division.
- Conducted activities related to rice hybridization, element concentration measurements, phenotyping and genotyping, data gathering, analysis, and QTL mapping.
- Prepared written and oral report summarizing experience and presented among Plant Breeding research team.
Faculty Advised Research
- Worked for the Science Education Alliance Program: Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Science (also known as SEA-PHAGES).
- Isolated, purified, sequenced, and analyzed newly discovered bacteriophages.
- Presented relevance research at the John Wesley Powell Research Conference in the spring.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
Mentor for Undergraduate Researcher, Washington State University
- Responsible for organizing and instructing undergraduate mentee in contribution to the cacao project.
- Hold biweekly meetings for open discussions regarding research objectives, related journal articles and reviews, troubleshooting concerns, and general professional advice.
BIOL 405: Principles of Organic Evolution (Teaching Assistant), Washington State University, Biological Sciences
- Taught an average of 25 undergraduate students per section, with one section per semester.
- Taught hour long introduction lectures each week, actively led class discussions, and assisted with answering questions that covered a range of introductory concepts in evolutionary biology.
BIOL 106: Organismal Biology (Teaching Assistant), Washington State University, Biological Sciences
- Taught an average of 35 undergraduate students per section, with three sections per semester.
- The course covered a range of topics pertaining to plant and animal anatomy/physiology.
BIOL 106: Organismal Biology (Teaching Assistant), Washington State University, Biological Sciences
- Taught an average of 35 undergraduate students per section, with three sections per semester.
- The course covered a range of topics pertaining to plant and animal anatomy/physiology.
BIOL 306: Plant and Fungal Diversity (Teaching Assistant), Illinois Wesleyan University, Biological Sciences
- Taught an average of 35 undergraduate students twice a week per semester.
- Assisted students with classifying and identifying specimen in taxonomic ordering, such as: fungi, slime molds, cyanobacteria, algae, bryophytes, eusporangiate and leptosporangiate gymnosperms, and angiosperms.
BIOL 375: Plant Anatomy and Physiology (Teaching Assistant), Illinois Wesleyan University, Biological Sciences
- Taught an average of 35 undergraduate students twice a week per semester.
- The course covered the following topics: plant cell structures, vegetative and reproductive plant body structure in angiosperms, pollination syndromes, sporogenesis, gametogenesis, fruit and flower morphologies, and plant tissue types.
PUBLICATIONS:
- Dolan, M. and Cornejo, O. (2020). Diverse endophyte composition across highly divergent populations of the chocolate tree, Theobroma cacao L. Manuscript in preparation, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University.
- Dolan, M. (2020). A Web-Based Application for Efficient Organization of Microbial Genomic Data Manuscript in preparation, Department of Biological Sciences, Illinois Wesleyan University.
- Dolan, M. and Cornejo, O. (2020). Web-Based Bacteriophage Organization SystemManuscript in preparation, Department of Biological Sciences, Illinois Wesleyan University. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.3625228.
PRESENTATIONS:
Dolan, M. (2018). Development of a Rhodobacter capsulatus Bacteriophage Database Application. Oral presentation given at the IWU Criley Research Conference.
Dolan, M. (2017). Zinc Biofortification Research Conducted at the International Rice Research Institute. Oral presentation given at the IWU Biology Internship Conference.
Dolan, M., Braun, M., Lennon, J., Lane, S., and Alvey, R. (2016). Genetic Analyses and Annotations of Three Newly Discovered C1 Mycobacteriophages. Poster session presented at the John Wesley Powell Research Conference.
GRANTS:
Carl H. Elling Travel Endowment
Washington State University - $1,500.00
Carl H. Elling Travel Endowment
Washington State University - $531.46
Criley Research Fellowship Grant
Illinois Wesleyan University - $4,000.00
Freeman Asia Internship Grant
Illinois Wesleyan University - $2,500.00
TOTAL: $8,531.46
HONORS AND AWARDS:
Undergraduate Dean's List
Illinois Wesleyan University
Freeman Asia Internship Fellowship
Illinois Wesleyan University
COMPUTER SKILLS:
Languages:
Python, R, JavaScript, C++, C, Perl, SQL, HTML, CSS
Database Management:
MySQL, SQLite, MongoDB
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Greenhouse Assistant Manager
Illinois Wesleyan University, Advisor: Prof. Bethany Evans-Campbell
- Maintained a diverse collection of plant species, including: bryophytes, eusporangiate and leptosporangiate gymnosperms, and angiosperms.
- Attended to daily greenhouse up-keeping.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:
Graduate Women’s Alliance in Academia
Active Member
Graduate Women in Science (GWIS)
Active Member
The National Society of Leadership and Success
Inducted/Active Member
The National FFA Organization
Student Advisor, Secretary, and Alumni
COMMUNITY SERVICE/ADDITIONAL AFFILIATIONS:
Million Women Mentors (MWM)
Volunteer Member
Palouse Science (Children’s) Discovery Center
Volunteer Member
Alpha Phi Omega – Professional Service Fraternity
Inducted/Active Member
Illinois Wesleyan University's Peace Garden
Community Volunteer Member