Olivia Roscow

University of Guelph

Lab Manager & Research Technician • Dec, 2019 — Aug, 2024

Managed protein purification, developed novel protein binders for collaborators through phage display, and assessed in vitro binding characteristics.

University of Guelph

Science Writer & Communicator • Nov, 2017 — Dec, 2019

Translated complex research articles to be more digestible for public audiences, specifically original research from the University of Guelph for the College of Biological Science Research Magazine.

University of Guelph

Teaching Assistant • Sep, 2017 — Dec, 2019

Led seminars/lab demonstrations and invigilated/marked exams and assignments for BIOL 1090 (Introduction to Molecular & Cellular Biology), MICR 2420 (Introduction to Microbiology), and MICR 3430 (Advanced Methods in Microbiology).

Pacific Biology Station

Research Technician • Sep, 2016 — Jun, 2017

Tested a novel anti-reoviral drug, Z-FA-FMK, on orthoreoviruses Piscine Reovirus, Chum Salmon Aquareovirus, and Infectious Hematopoietic Necrosis Virus to examine its differential effects on viruses from varied genera of the same family.

University of Guelph

Master of Science, Molecular & Cellular Biology • Sep, 2017 — Dec, 2019

• Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship in Science & Technology
• Graduate Excellence Entrance Scholarship

Constructed of a full-length clone of Grapevine rupestris stem pitting-associated virus strain Syrah and developed expression/VIGS vectors for Vitis vinifera.

Vancouver Island University

Bachelor of Science, Molecular Biology • Sep, 2012 — Apr, 2017

• Made the Dean's honour list every semester
• Won 3rd place for Meritorious Best Presentation at VIU CREATE Conference

Investigated the effects of Z-FA-FMK Drug Treatment on Aquatic Reoviral and Rhabdoviral Replication.

Phage Display Analysis Suite (PDAS)

Primary Developer • 2021 — Present

A work-in-progress open source Python program that facilitates quick analysis of large phage display datasets by smaller laboratories.

DNA manipulation & analysis

• PCR, reverse transcription, qPCR
• Site-directed mutagenesis, standard molecular cloning techniques
• Sanger sequencing

Protein manipulation & analysis

• Protein extraction and purification (via both FPLC & gravity columns)
• SDS-PAGE, gel/membrane staining, Western Blotting
• Protein-protein interaction techniques such as ELISA, DSC, ITC, & SPR

Phage display

• Library design and generation
• Selection experimental design
• Automated analysis pipeline

Cell culturing & microscopy

• Standard bacterial, mammalian, and fish cell culturing techniques
• Brightfield, phase contrast, and fluorescence microscopy

Computing

• Languages — Python, Git, UNIX, R, LaTeX (interested in learning more)
• Programs — Microsoft Office Suite, GraphPad Prism, PyMol, SnapGene, & many instrument-specific programs

Management & Leadership

• Experimental design & project coordination
• Data collection/management/analysis/preservation
• Protocol troubleshooting/optimization
• Ordering, reagent storage, grant/fund management, equipment maintenance/repair
• Designed custom labware through modelling and 3D printing

• Snowboarding & skateboarding
• Playing guitar & piano
• Cosmology & quantum physics
• Being an autodidact