CESAR A. URBANO, JR.
cesar.urbano@berkeley.edu
EDUCATION
B.S. Chemical Engineering, expected May 2014 (GPA: 3.55)
University of California, Berkeley
WORK HISTORY
Student Research Assistant, Electrochemistry, University of California, Berkeley
Aug. 2013 – present
 Assist a postdoctoral fellow in her experiments for the improvement of the electrodeposition of Nd-Fe alloy.
Student Research Assistant, Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI), Emeryville, CA
June 2013 – present
 Create a program that utilizes Python and Biopython to compare cloned DNA sequences with the reference
DNA sequence and generate data that summarizes the mismatch, deletion and insertion errors.
 Perform a transformation of yeast cells in a parallel experiment inside and outside of a microfluidic chip in order
to evaluate the capability of the microfluidic system.
 Analyze the success of the digestion of plasmid by restriction enzyme and the attachment of DNA insert to the
DNA backbone by electrophoresis.
Engineering Intern, Five Prime Therapeutics, South San Francisco, CA
Jan. 2013 – June 2013
 Assisted in the design and development of new microfluidic system prototype and protocols to conduct
biological and biochemical experiments on the automation platforms.
 Applied self-taught C# computer programming skills to develop a windows form application to control CAVRO
digital syringe pumps used in a microfluidic system prototype.
 Ran test to qualify automation equipment such as automated liquid handlers.
Lab Research Assistant, Department of Materials Science & Engineering, UC Berkeley
Jan. 2013 – May 2013
 Improved the recovery of silver from a Silver King mine by pretreatment and utilizing a less toxic thiourea solution
as an alternative to a traditional toxic cyanide leaching solution in collaboration with Professor Gretchen LapidusLavine.
 Applied modern Atomic Absorption Spectrometer to determine the concentration (in ppm) of a particular element
(e.g. Fe, Cu, Ag) in a solution.
General & Organic Chemistry and Calculus Tutor, Chabot College, Hayward, Ca.
 Provided individual and group tutoring and helped students succeed in their courses.
Aug 2011 – May 2012
Cashier, Sales floor & Electronic Department Associate, TARGET, Hayward, CA
Aug. 2010 – Aug. 2012
 Provided efficient and courteous customer service to diverse customers in a retail environment while accurately
making quick transactions.
 Trained newly hired team members techniques and motivated them to give customers fast, fun and friendly service.
EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) ChemE Car Project, UC Berkeley
Aug 2012 – Dec 2012
 Designed a small-scale automobile that operates by chemical means with a team of UC Berkeley engineering
students.
Chemistry Club President, Chabot College, Hayward, CA
Aug 2011 – May 2012
 Founded a chemistry club at Chabot College for students to share and explore their passions in science.
 Provided individual and group tutoring for students in chemistry.
COMPUTER AND LANGUAGE SKILLS
Software: MATLAB, Python, Biopython, C#, C+ +, SPICE, Microsoft Excel
Language: Fluent in Tagalog (Filipino) Conversation
HONORS
Regents’ and Chancellors’ Scholar - most prestigious scholarship awarded by University of California, Berkeley to
entering undergraduates.
Student Achievement Guided by Experience (SAGE) Scholar - focuses on leadership and career development training
for low income students.