Susana De Jesús

e-mail: de-jesus.15@osu.edu

Education:

2005    Master of Science (MSc) in Horticulture and Crop Science emphasizing plant genetics and biochemistry.  The Ohio State University (OSU), United States.  My training includes intensive practices in molecular biology and phytochemical analysis of tomato as a model plant.  In molecular biology I have experience in: molecular markers design, PCR, electrophoresis, protein isolation, DNA and RNA extractions, genetic transformations, bioinformatics, and seeds conservation.  My experience in phytochemistry includes: extraction methods, spectrophotometry, HPLC, and isolation and purification of compounds.     

2002    Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering “Cum Laude” at the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD), Dominican Republic.  

Experience:

2001-2005     Research Assistant at the Biotechnology and Biodiversity Research Center (CIBIO), Dominican Republic. Duties included research evaluating bioactive properties of some medicinal native plants, preparation of plant cell culture media, In vitro plant cell culture, identification and characterization of Fungi, and fermentation processes.  

Position:

2005-present    Researcher at the Institute of Innovation in biotechnology and Industry (IIBI), Dominican Republic. In this institute, my duties include the leading of projects in the area of pharmaceutical biotechnology emphasizing the search for anti-cancer compounds from the endemic flora of Hispaniola.

Trainings:

2006    Negotiation Skills Workshop. March-April, 2006. Meliá Hotel, Santo Domingo, D. R.  Trainings in methods and tactics for a successful negotiation, and an introduction to neurolinguistic.

2004    NSF-PASI workshop in genomics and bioinformatics. Feb., 2004. Montevideo, Uruguay.  Advanced training in Genomics and Bioinformatics.

2001    Preliminary Studies of phytochemestry. Cornell University Biodiversity Laboratories at Punta Cana, D. R. Identification of plant-derived compounds by Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC). Evaluation of the biological activity of these compounds as inhibitors of bacteria and fungi. Toxicity test of plant-derived compounds.

2000    Internship at the power plant ITABO.  Haina, Santo Domingo, D. R.

2000    Quality and Hygiene Assurance in the industry. Autonomous University of Santo Domingo, D. R.

1999    Quality Assurance in the Food Industry. Autonomous University of Santo Domingo, D. R.

1997    5^th International Symposium of Chemical Engineering. Sheraton Hotel, Santo Domingo, D. R.  

Presentations:  

    De Jesús, Susana. 2005. "Plant genomic resources for testing physiological effects of dietary carotenoids. 51^st ISTH meeting 2005. Hamaca Hotel, Boca Chica, Dominican Republic.

    De Jesús, Susana. 2004. “Genetic alteration of plant secondary metabolism; modification, enhancement and characterization of natural antioxidants in tomato fruit”. REDBIO 2004. Hamaca Hotel, Boca Chica, Dominican Republic.

    De Jesus, Susana.  2004.  “Genetic alteration of plant secondary metabolism; modification, enhancement and characterization of natural antioxidants in tomato fruit”. NSF-PASI workshop in genomics and bioinformatics.  Montevideo, Uruguay.

    De Jesus, Susana.  2002   “Exploring anti-inflammatory properties from Juana la Blanca (Rubiaceae), Canelilla (Canellaceae) and Guaucí (Acanthaceae) extracts” Centroamerican Cooperative Program for the improvement of Crops and Animals (PCCMCA).  Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Awards: 

2004    OARDC Research Enhancement Competitive Grants Program.  The Ohio State University/ OARDC, Ohio, USA.

Relevant Knowledge: 

            My training includes an extensive background in chemistry, food chemistry, and phyto-chemistry.  I have a general background in Biology and related laboratory sciences.  Computer experience includes proficiency with MS applications and advanced training in Genomics and Bioinformatics.

Languages:

My native language is Spanish, and I speak, read and write English fluently.

Personal interest:

            To develop as a researcher in the area of plant biotechnology and biochemistry.  My goal is to develop leadership skills in agro-industrial engineering, molecular biology, and natural products chemistry.