Amal Awwad
23 Abd Alraheem Jerdaneh st.
Amman, Jordan
Nationality; Jordanian, Canadian
Tel: 079 5586151
amalawwad89@gmail.com
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science Honours Major in Biochemistry and Biotechnology
September 2008 – December 2012.
Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario
Fourth year project: Studying the Formation of G-quadruplex in Different DNA and RNA AptamersDiscovering the formation of G-quadruplex structure in L-tryptophan (Received a grade of A+)
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Laboratory Skills
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Inspected the functional organization of cells and examined their chemical composition by using
light and fluorescence microscopes.
Designed Agarose Gel Electrophoresis and Poylacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis.
Performed different types of Chromatography techniques such as column chromatography and
affinity chromatography to separate individual chemical compounds from mixtures of
compounds.
Experienced in dealing with lab equipments such as incubators, weigh balance, pipettors, pH
tester, petri dish, stirrer, thermometer and dialysis tubing.
Solid knowledge of most genetics concepts and techniques such as cloning, expression and
purification of different proteins from different species.
Determined the gene copy number of gene or gene product within a DNA or RNA sample by
performing different techniques such as real time PCR and DNA-DNA hybridization.
Thorough experimental knowledge on how to perform PCR reactions, gel
electrophoresis, DNA isolation from gel, and western blotting
Theoretical and experimental knowledge on the usage of HPLC, titrations, ionexchange chromatography, and UV-VIS
Theoretical understanding of preparation of primers and the synthesis of
antibodies.
Studied credited (practical) courses in genetics, cell biology, cell biochemistry and biochemistry.
Studied credited courses in different areas of Math including Calculus and Statistics that makes
my mathematical and analytical skills strong.
Analytical skills
 Analyzed lab results and transferred them into usable information that increased my efficiency in
analyzing the useful data and put them into practice.
 Studied the formation of G-quadruplex structures within aptamers, resulting in A+ research
paper.
 Diagnosed staining and Culture of Microorganisms Centrifugation.
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Investigated protein-protein interactions by yeast two hybrid system.
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Efficiently demonstrated chemical concepts such as acids and bases, reduction-oxidation
reactions, organic reactions, and periodic table trends to first year Chemistry students
Successfully illustrated mathematical concepts such as rates of reactions, derivatives,
trigonometric equations, and limits to Advanced Functions students in Grade 12.
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Technical skills
 Determined sizes of DNA fragments on a gel by using the Gel doc system.
 Quantified DNA on a gel using the Gel Doc densitometry function.
 Able to use different bioinformatics web servers such as BLAST to find conserved regions within
different sequences.
 Proficiency with Microsoft office including Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint.
 Able to visualize and edit the 3D structure of proteins using a software program called MOE.
Communication and Public Relation Skills
 Fluent in English and Arabic
 Took credited courses in French at the Le Carrofour school and Éducation permanente school
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(completed level 5)
Prepared proposals and technical reports for several labs and projects.
Worked with peers on various assignments, projects and laboratories.
Excellent communicator, able to interact with clients of various temperaments.
Well organized, tactful and courteous with demonstrated willingness to learn, as demonstrated
through different proposals and posters that learned through educational experience, as well as
my role as a lab assistant.
Faithful to education as it is crucial to me to make sure that all students get an equal level of
education, no matter what their circumstances are.
Effective problem solver and detail oriented.
Self-motivated able to work in a team-oriented environment as well as independently.
APPLIED PROJECT
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Studied the formation of G-quadruplexes in more than 500 DNA and RNA aptamer sequences.
Aptamers are single stranded RNA or DNA oligonucleotides that bind with high affinity and
specificity to unique targets such as peptides, cells, organelles and viruses.
The main purpose of the project was to study the formation of G-quadruplexes against cell targets
as it is expected that the formation of these complex structures could be used to induce cell
senescence in carcinogenic and other pathogenic cells.
Analyzed some of the thermodynamic parameters such as free energy, enthalpy and entropy
within each sequence.
Performed melting temperature experiments on four DNA apatmers that were expected to form
G-quadruplex structures as it was analyzed by using a database called QuadFinder.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Spring 2014 (current)
Invigilator
British council
● Making sure that all conditions in the examination room are appropriate to the candidates.
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● devotes full attention to the supervision of candidates.
● Being vigilant and active throughout the exam.
● Monitoring ID documents.
Fall 2013-current
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science teacher / IG teacher
Burc Jordanian Turkish schools
Teaching biology for the 9th and 10th IGCSE students
Teaching science for the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th graders.
Performing visual lab experiments to the students to demonstrate theoretical information and put
it into practice.
Applying various instructional strategies and activity based learning on debate, games, narration
and discussion in groups.
Winter 2014
English conversation classes
Burc Jordanian Turkish School
Holding English conversation classes on Saturdays for native Turkish and Arabs teachers;
besides teaching science during the weekdays
Fall 2012
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lab assistant
Carleton University
Worked as a volunteer at the DeRosa lab.
Isolating aptamers and testing for their binding affinity against different targets.
Summer 2011
sale representative
Amman, Jordan
Worked as a sale representative at the Arabian Marketing Promotion Company.
2007-2008
Sales
 Worked as a volunteer at Travelodge Hotel.
 Sold lottery tickets.
Travelodge Hotel, Ottawa, ON
Summer 2007
Telesales Representative
Bell Sympatico, Toronto, ON
 Solicited new customers to choose Bell Sympatico High Speed Internet package
 Successfully diffused angry customers by using patience and excellent listening skills resulting in
better customer satisfaction.
 Quoted prices and influenced customers to sign up for Internet service.
References are available upon request
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