Sam W.

Smith
2153 NE Weidler St., Portland, OR 97232 (503) 560-3085; samss@pdx.edu Education
M.S. Biology, Portland State University, Portland, OR, 2012. Credit Hours: 72 GPA: 3.88/4.0 B.S. Biology, chemistry minor, summa cum laude, Washburn University, Topeka, KS, 2009. Biology honors, Presidents list for almost all enrolled semesters. Credit Hours: 135 GPA: 3.87/4.0

Teaching Experience
Cell Biology Laboratory BI 337, PSU. Fall 2009, Winter 2010, Fall 2010, Winter 2011, Fall 2011, Winter 2012. Professor: Todd Rosenstiel / Jeffrey Singer. Taught weekly labs, graded assignments, authored both the weekly quizzes and practical exams. Proctored midterm exams and final exam for lecture. Graded and recorded midterm and final exam scores. Coached students to improve lab and writing skills. Led weekly teaching meetings. Microbiology Laboratory BI 235, PSU. Spring 2011. Professor: Radu Popa. Prepared media and cultures during non-class days. Taught weekly labs, graded assignments, authored quizzes and practical exam. Mentored students which included answering inquiries in-class, through email and during office hours. Principles of Biology Laboratory BI 253, PSU. Spring 2010, Spring 2012, Summer 2012. Professor: Randy Zelick. Taught weekly labs, graded assignments, authored quizzes. Actively participated in weekly lab meetings offering suggested corrections to lab materials and supported new TAs with advice and mentorship. Lab Skills Workshop, PSU. June 2011, Jan. 2012. Co-created and taught this hands-on workshop aimed at pre-med and pre-veterinary students as well as general beginners to the college laboratory environment. Developed the course in collaboration with a colleague to introduce basic laboratory techniques such as sterile technique, microscope and pipette usage, and graphing. Coordinated with PSU lab supply to verify availability of rooms and supplies. RolyPoly Science, Mater Dei Catholic School, Topeka, KS. Aug. - Nov. 2006. After-school program for 2nd-4th graders. Instructed students on basic scientific principles and reasoning by creating and leading experiments with terrestrial isopods.

Research & Laboratory Experience

In the lab of PI: Suzanne Estes, PhD, PSU. Graduate student, Sept. 2009 - Present. Studying the role of reactive oxygen species as mediators of life history tradeoffs in Caenorhabditis elegans. Designed experiments from planning through execution and quantitative analysis. Lab assistant (volunteer, then paid), Dec. 2008 - Sept. 2009. Assisted graduate students and PI with lab tasks and light experimentation. Worked with several individuals to satisfy various experimentspecific requirements.

In the lab of PI: John C. Mullican, PhD, Washburn University. K-INBRE-funded undergraduate researcher, Summer 2008. Continued sampling of targeted water supply to re-obtain positive Naegleria fowleri samples and performed genetic analysis of samples. K-INBRE-funded undergraduate researcher, Summer 2006. Conducted research to determine the presence of pathogenic amoeboflagellate, N. fowleri, in northeastern Kansas recreational waterways. Volunteer Lab Assistant, Spring 2006 and until leaving Washburn University. Research focus: Maintained stock cultures of N. fowleri, produced agar media using sterile technique, poured and inoculated plates, cleaned lab glassware and performed other laboratory duties as assigned.

Community and Civic Service (volunteer positions)

Committee Member, The McBroom and Weston Scholarship Fund, Equity Foundation. August 2012. Judge, Intel Northwest Science Expo, Portland State University. March 2012. Judge, Beaverton-Hillsboro Science Expo, January 2011. Judge, Oregon Junior Academy of Sciences, February 2010. Room Monitor and Registration Attendant, Evolution 2010. Technology Consultant, Equity Foundation, March 2010. Office Assistant, Topeka AIDS Project. 2004-2009. Runner Guide, Topeka Organ Donor Memorial Run for Life, Topeka, KS. March 2007. Alternative Spring Break, Berkeley Marina, Berkeley, CA. Shoreline cleanup and maintenance of adventure playground facilities. March 2005.

Honors and Awards

College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Commendation Award at the Masters Level, PSU, June 2012. Presidents Award for Outstanding University Service, PSU, June 2012. Boone Graduate Student Excellence in Teaching Award, PSU, 2011-12. Pride of the Rose Scholarship, Equity Foundation, 2010-11. Second Place Poster Award. Graduate Symposium, PSU, October 2010. John C. Johnson First Prize Poster Presentation Award. TriBeta Biological Honor Society District Convention, March 2007. Freshman Chemistry Award. Washburn University, May 2006. Volunteer of the Year. Topeka AIDS Project, May 2005.

Relevant Skills
Demonstrated excellence in goal/outcomes-based learning. Primary editor of the current cell biology lab manual at PSU. Familiar with teaching techniques such as scaffolding to build student interest and increase proficiency in desired skills. Experienced in course maintenance and content production for online dissemination on Blackboard, D2L, Google, and other online services. Mac/PC computers (including hardware upgrades), basic SQL & VBScript, advanced skills in MS Office Suite, website construction, design and maintenance (asp & php), Adobe Creative Suite, Fireworks & Dreamweaver (including integrated dynamic Access or mySQL backend databases).