Alexus D. Maschinot
EDUCATION
Eastern Connecticut State University
Master of Science; Secondary Biological Education Willimantic, CT
Anticipated Graduation May 2018
Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KY
Bachelor of Science; Biological Sciences December 2015
Cumulative GPA: 3.18/4.00
Major GPA: 3.28/4.00
EXPERIENCE
E.O. Smith High School Storrs, CT
Special Education Instructor January 2016 to Present
- Delivered scientific instruction to students in a classroom setting
- Provide personalized academic support
- Worked with high school students with behavioral, physical, and learning difficulties
- Assisted in all aspects of daily classroom management
Mystic Aquarium Mystic, CT
Educator and Animal Handler January 2016 to December 2016
- Taught educational programs about the marine environment and animals
- Handled and cared for a variety of invertebrates and reptiles
- Evaluated and conducted reports for programs and the animals wellbeing
Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KY
Student Research Assistant to Dr. Miriam Steinitz-Kannan May 2012 to May 2015
- Determined the rate of degradation of microcystins by an Aeromonas biofilm in sand filtration systems
- Compared the efficiency of microcystin removal in different sand filtration systems
- Collected cyanobacteria blooms and water quality parameters to find correlation in abundance to environmental factors
- Used bioassays to identify aquatic bacteria found in association with cyanobacteria blooms
Student Research Assistant to Dr. John Carmen May 2014 to December 2014
- Experimented with axenic culturing methods with cyanobacteria species Microcystis aeruginosa
- Induced toxin production of Microcystis aeruginosa
- Extracted environmental isolates
- Performed bioassays to test for antimicrobial properties
Ecological Stewardship Initiative Researcher May 2012- May 2014
- Collaborated with a multidisciplinary team from departments of biological sciences, geology, computer sciences and electronic media broadcasting
- Developed technology that focused on reliable and usable data collection
- Developed technology to be used for water quality monitoring
- The Water Quality App was designed to be used as a teaching tool to better understand water quality parameters
Ohio River STEM Institute Highland Heights, KY
Program Coordinator and Educator May 2012 to August 2014
- Coordinated and organized science camps through Northern Kentucky University for grades 6-12
- Assisted in teaching science programs and trained other teaching assistants
- Created pre- and post-evaluations to assess our goals of the camps
Environmental Protection Agency Cincinnati, OH
Contracted Student Researcher to Dr. Dennis Lye September 2012- September 2013
- Monitored of ponds and lakes in the Greater Cincinnati area for cyanobacteria blooms
- Collected and identified to species level of cyanobacteria
- Analyzed microcystins by ELISA and MSMS-HPLC
HONORS AND AWARDS
Dorothy Westerman Herrmann Summer Research Fellowship
Northern Kentucky University, Department of Biological Sciences
- Grant proposal accepted to fund “Experimentation of culturing and purification methods of Microcystis aeruginosa: To investigate the chemical, biological, and ecological activities of microcystin production”
NASA Scholar recipient
Northern Kentucky University, Department of Environmental Education
- Developed lesson plans to teach water quality and environmental science using technology
- Taught environmental programs to over 100 hundred students grades 4-12
ESI Scholar recipient for app development
Northern Kentucky University, Department of Biological Sciences
- Collaborated on a multi-disciplinary team to develop an app to be used for water quality monitoring
UR-STEM Summer Research Fellowship
Northern Kentucky University, Department of Biological Sciences
- Funding to learn research techniques under professor Dr. Miriam Steinitz-Kannan
Honorable Mention
EPA 11th Annual P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet, Washington D.C.
- “New technologies for rapid water quality and bio-assessment of agricultural streams by citizen scientist”
First Place Award in Oral Presentation
Tri Beta Biological Honor Society District Research Convention, Chattooga, TN
- “Removal of microcystins via bio-active sand filtration systems”
First Place Award in Poster Presentation
Environmental and Water Resource International Conference, Cincinnati, OH
- “Collection and identification of potentially toxic and allergenic cyanobacteria from the Greater Cincinnati area”
98th Kentucky Academy of Science, Richmond, KY
- “A Summer with the Ohio River STEM Institution”
PRESENTATIONS
Oral Presentations
“Removal of microcystins via bio-active sand filtration systems”
- Tri Beta Biological Honor Society District Research Convention, Chattooga, TN, April 2015
“Toxic Cyanobacteria in residential ponds: Are there real health risks?”
- NKU Research Celebration, Highland Heights, KY April 2014
- 99th KAS Meeting, Morehead, KY November 2013
Poster Presentations
“Removal of microcystins via bio-active sand filtration systems”
- NKU Research Celebration, Highland Heights, KY April 2015
“New technologies for rapid water quality and bio-assessment of agricultural streams by citizen scientist”
- EPA National Competition for Sustainability, Washington D.C. May 2014
“Collection and identification of potentially toxic and allergenic cyanobacteria from the Greater Cincinnati area.”
- Environmental and Water Resource International Conference, Cincinnati, OH May 2013
- Tri-Beta Regional Conference, Charleston, WV April 2013
- EPA Citizen Scientist and environmental Conference, Highland Heights, KY March 2013
“A Summer with the Ohio River STEM Institution”
- 98th KAS Meeting, Richmond, KY October 2012
- NKU Research Celebration, Highland Heights, KY August 2012
PUBLICATION
Guglielmi, S., Rice, A., and Steinitz-Kannan, M. (2013) Collection and Identification of Potentially Toxic and Allergenic Cyanobacteria from the Greater Cincinnati Area. World Environmental and Water Resources Congress.
CERTIFICATIONS
PADI Scuba Diver August 2016
Training facilitator: New England Ski and Scuba
- Open water diver level 2
- Fresh and marine water at a maximum depth of 30 meters
Citizen Scientist Stream Assessment June 2013
Training facilitator: Dr. Richard Durtsche
- Completed training in conducting biological stream assessments to determine the quality of stream
- Skilled in using electro-backpack fisher, seine nets, kick seining for collection and identification of stream fish, macro invertebrate collection and identification, water chemistry analysis
Project WET May 2013
Training facilitator: Dr. Steve Kerlin
- Completed training for Kentucky’s water education workshop
- Qualified to use the project WET instructional materials to promote awareness and knowledge of water resources
ACTIVITIES
Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society, Mu Iota Chapter September 2011-Present
Chapter President
- Ran chapter meetings, managed all activates, events and officers
Regional President
- Organized and lead regional convention
Chapter Vice President
- Established the program for all meetings and activities throughout the year
Chapter Historian
- Kept substantial records of actives and honors the organization receives
Volunteer hours served: 60 Hours
- Redwood’s Child Daycare, Cincinnati Zoo, Great Outdoor Weekend, St. Jude Children Research Hospital and Northern Kentucky Science and Engineering fair
Delta Gamma Fraternity, Zeta Sigma Chapter September 2011- Present
Vice President of Finance
- In charge of all fraternity financial responsibilities and budgeting
Volunteer hours served: 100 Hours
- Assisted people with visual implications and volunteered for Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Biological Teaching Association August 2012-May 2015
Secretary
- Recorded minutes and informed members of upcoming events
Volunteer hours served: 30 Hours
Taught programs at Elementary Science Day to hundreds of visiting students in grad 4 about life sciences at Northern Kentucky University
Graduate Portfolio 