University of California, San Diego
Dept. of Chemistry & Biochemistry
9500 Gilman Drive, M/C 0314
La Jolla, CA 92093-0314
Office: (858) 822-5745
EDUCATION
Mechanical Engineering, Ph.D., 2010 (expected)
Mechanical Engineering, M.S., 2007
Environmental Chemistry, B.S., March 2003
University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
ACADEMIC HONORS AND AWARDS
* UCSD Chancellor's Interdisciplinary Collaboratories Fellowship, 2006-2008
* NSF Bridge to the Doctorate Fellow, 2005-2007
* Member of Phi Beta Kappa Society, 2003
* "Outstanding Research Award," UC Day, Sacramento, CA, 03/2003
* Member of Golden Key International Honour Society, 2002
* "Poster Award," SACNAS National Conference, Anaheim, CA, 10/2002
* NASA Specialized Center of Research and Training in Exobiology (NSCORT) Fellowship recipient, Fall 2001
* Scholar, Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program, University of California, San Diego, 2000-2001
* Scripps Undergraduate Research Fellowship recipient, Summer 2000
* "Peer Mentor Award," CAMP Statewide Conference, Irvine, CA, 03/2000
* "Academic and Leadership Award," Friends of Mesa College, San Diego, CA, 05/1999
* "Community Service Award," AmeriCorps*NCCC, San Diego, CA, 08/1998
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Graduate Student Researcher July 2007 – Present
Prather Lab, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
* Studying environmental and health effects of particulate matter
Graduate Student Researcher Fall 2005 – July 2007
Center for Energy Research, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
* Comparing the combustion of biodiesel to petrodiesel
SOARS Protégé Summers 2002, 2003, 2004
National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO
* Developed a method for validating measured isotopic data from global atmospheric samples
* Analyzed effects of El Niño on stable isotopes in precipitation across the U.S. through GIS
* Modeled chemical evolution of ozone along air parcel trajectories sampled during TOPSE
Professional Scientist Sep 2003 – May 2004
Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO
* Operated mass-spectrometers for measurements of stable isotopes from atmospheric samples
Research Assistant Aug 2001 – May 2003
Marine Chemistry, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, CA
* Aged whales using amino acid racemization dating technique through HPLC
Research Assistant Jun 2000 – May 2002
Geochemistry, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, CA
* Quantified isotopic composition of atmospheric nitrous oxide using extraction rack and mass-spec
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
Vice President of Internal Affairs Oct 2006 – present
Graduate Student Association, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
* Appoint graduate students to campus committees and advocate on behalf of students
Founding Member and Co-President Jan 2006 – present
Biofuels Action and Awareness Network, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
* Organize educational events and opportunities to increase the use of biofuels on campus
* Maintaining Greenline Biodiesel Shuttle project active, including engine donation
Faculty Mentor Program Acting Coordinator Apr 2005 – Sep 2005
Academic Enrichment Programs, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
* Supported undergraduate students doing research with faculty and organized conferences
Corps Member Oct 1997 – Aug 1998
AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps, San Diego, CA
* Performed community service projects in education, environment, and unmet human needs
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Spanish: fluent speaking, reading and writing
German: beginning speaking and reading
PUBLICATIONS
George, J.C., Zeh, J., Botta, O., Zauscher, M., Bada, J., and O'Hara, T.M. Update on Age Estimation of Bowhead Whales (Balaena mysticutus) Using Aspartic Acid Racemization. Proceedings International Whaling Commission, 2005
