Crystal L. Davenport
Education
190 Pleasant Grove Rd
Apt. N1
Ithaca, NY 14850
Cell: 864-415-3831
Crystad864@gmail.com
Division of
Nutritional Sciences
Cornell University
210 Savage Hall
Ithaca, NY 14853
CLD87@cornell.edu
Ph.D. Molecular Nutrition, Cornell University,
Expected Graduation 2015. Minors: Genomics; Animal Nutrition.
Thesis in progress.
B.S.
Animal and Veterinary Science, Clemson University,
Graduated 2010 .Thesis Title: Effect of Experimentally Induced
Hypothyroidism on Ascorbic Acid Production in Commercial
Broilers.
Professional Experience
Teaching Experience
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Routinely aid in modifying, editing, and clarifying NIH, USDA, and industry (Egg Nutrition
Center, DSM, Balchem) grants for both the Caudill lab and individual graduate/post
doctoral students.
Routinely provide assistance with A exam proposals and specific aims for A exams.
Teaching Assistant for NS 3410 "Anatomy and Physiology" Spring 2011
Teaching Assistant for NS 1150 "Nutrition, Health and Society" Fall 2011
Supervised and taught RT-PCR/QPCR techniques for two rotating graduate students
simultaneously
Supervised and guided undergraduate through analyzing RT-PCR/QPCR data
Tutored undergraduates in organic chemistry, Animal Nutrition I, and Animal Nutrition II
Taught masters level students how to use SAS for statistical analysis
University Level Teacher Training (Cornell Center for Teaching Excellence)
 Understanding Undergraduate Learners (completed Spring 2012)
 Enhancing Teaching with Technology (completed Fall 2012)
 Assessing Learning (completed Fall 2012)
 Teaching Research Skills (completed Fall 2012)
Research Experience
Impact of Dietary Choline on Breastmilk Quality and Breastmilk Choline/DHA/Free Amino
Acids. Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. Thesis under Dr. Marie
Caudill, ongoing.
 Work with RT-PCR/QPCR techniques and data analysis
 mRNA microarray data analysis (in conjunction with the Cornell Statistical Consulting
Unit)
 Metabolome data analysis (in conjunction with Metabolon Inc.)
 LC-MS analysis of plasma and breastmilk for choline and choline metabolites
Crystal L. Davenport
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ELISA measurement of plasma cortisol
Investigation of pre-mRNA Intron Splicing Regulation in S. cerevisiae, Molecular Biology,
Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. Graduate rotation under Dr. Jeff Pleiss, March 2011 – May 2011.
 Used s. cerevisiae as a model organism to investigate regulation of pre-mRNA intron
splicing.
 Experienced plasmid production, manipulation, and transfection.
 Produced competent cell lines
 Worked with aseptic technique and microbial cell culture.
Evaluation of High Iron Beans in Broiler Model of Human Digestion, USDA, Cornell
University, Ithaca, NY. Graduate rotation under Dr. Elad Tako, January 2011 – March 2011.
 Used broilers as a model of human intestinal digestion to assess the quality of bean
strains bred to contain higher iron content.
 Learned western blotting technique
 Learned RNA extraction/ purification in fresh tissue samples
Choline Intake Induced Changes in Gene Expression, Division of Nutritional Sciences,
Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. Graduate rotation under Dr. Marie Caudill, August 2010 – Dec.
2010.
 Learned to troubleshoot and use RT-PCR/QPCR for mRNA quantification
 Extracted RNA from stabilized plasma and milk samples
 Prepared meals and interacted with participants in a human feeding trial of 10 weeks
duration
Clemson Dairy Nutrition Lab Experience, Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Clemson, SC. Lab
Assistant under Dr. Tom Jenkins, August 2009-Dec. 2009.
 Acted as a general lab assistant and helped set up glass digesters (“artificial
rumens”) for feed trials.
Effect of Exercise Level on Efficacy of ART Technologies in Equines, Animal and
Veterinary Sciences, Clemson University, SC. On Farm Assistant under Dr. Chris Mortensen,
May 2009-August 2009.
 Handled horses, assisted with blood collection, ultrasound, embryo collection,
artificial insemination, and exercising for study protocol.
Effect of Chondroiton Sulfate on Alleviating Experimentally Induced Arthritis in Rats,
Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Clemson University, SC. Lab Assistant under Dr. Denzil
Maurice and Linda Creel, June 2009-July 2009.
 Helped with handling rats, rat diet preparation, blood sample slide preparation, and
record keeping.
Effect of Experimentally Induced Hypothyroidism on Ascorbic Acid Production in
Commercial Broilers (Senior Honors Thesis Project). Animal and Veterinary Sciences,
Clemson University, SC. Principle Investigator, August 2008-May 2009.
 Completed a Senior Thesis Project through the Calhoun Honors College under
Denzil Maurice investigating the affects of hypothyroidism on vitamin C levels and
metabolism in broilers.
 Performed photometric assays to determine vitamin C status, synthesis, and
recycling.
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Crystal L. Davenport
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Performed radioimmunoassays for thyroid hormones (T4 and T3).
Involved in all aspects of bird maintenance, tissue collection, blood collection through
cardiac puncture, and data analysis (SAS and Microsoft Excel).
Presented results orally at the annual ACC Undergraduate Research Conference
Nanophosphorus As a Replacement for Standard Phosphate in Broiler Rations , Animal
and Veterinary Sciences, Clemson University, SC. Project Manager under Dr. Denzil Maurice
and Madhukar Lohani, July 2008-August 2008.
 Managed an industry funded study investigating a nanophosphorus water
supplement to replace inorganic phosphorus in the diet of broilers.
 Responsible for procurement, sample collection, and maintenance of broilers.
 Implemented study protocol, mixed nanophosphorus supplement, and recorded
broiler performance.
Use of Noni Fruit Extract for Improving Immune Response in SCWL Layers, Animal and
Veterinary Sciences, Clemson University, SC. Farm Assistant for Dr. Denzil Maurice, Dr.
Thomas Scott, and Madhukar Lohani, May 2008-June 2008.
 Organized study investigating the affects of supplementing Noni Fruit extract in
broiler diets.
 Responsible for ration mixing, storage and management of extract supplies, sample
collection, and bird care.
 Assisted with statistical analysis of results using SAS.
Evaluation of Ascorbic Acid Production in SCWL Cockerels Across Life, Animal and
Veterinary Sciences, Clemson University, SC. Lab Assistant under Dr. Denzil Maurice, May
2007- December 2007.
 Learned basic laboratory techniques, philosophy, and practice.
 Responsible for breeding, hatching, maintaining, and collecting samples from birds.
 Assisted with statistical analysis of results using SAS.
 Attended annual Poultry Science Association conference to present findings of
research.
Work Experience
Student Agencies - TakeNote, Ithaca, NY. Editor in Charge of Nutrition/Life Sciences, August
2012-May 2013
 Responsible for editing commercially sold notes from nutrition, microbiology, cell
biology, and earth sciences courses taught at Cornell University for correct
information, clarity, and formatting.
 Communicated with note takers for each course and supervisor about quality of
notes via email and in person.
 Took notes for one semester for BIOAP 3160 “Cellular Physiology”
Charles Lee Morgan Poultry Center, Clemson University, SC. Employee, Caretaker, Hatchery
Manager, September 2006-May 2010
 Assisted with and managed ongoing on farm research projects for various
investigators.
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Crystal L. Davenport
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Assured Animal Research Compliance (managed paperwork, employee training, and
annual farm inspections)
Assisted with bird maintenance, slaughter, blood and tissue collection, breeding,
artificial insemination, hatchery operations, bird health, sales, egg grading, and all
other farm operations.
Ran Hatchery for two years filling customer and researcher orders.
Smith Animal Hospital, Spartanburg, SC. Employee, Vet Technician Trainee. Spring 2009Spring 2011.
 Employed as kennel help, also assisted with x-rays, surgery, emergency calls,
medications, and various diagnostic techniques, (heartworm testing, etc.).
Administrative Experience
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Organized prospective graduate student visit to Division of Nutritional Sciences in
Spring 2013.
Organized Nutrition Research Symposium Poster Session for Division of Nutritional
Sciences graduate and post doctoral students
Helped organize two Fall and Spring departmental invited speakers for the Division
of Nutritional Sciences in 2013.
Nutrition Graduate Student Organization Co-President (Fall 2012 - Spring 2013)
Nutrition Graduate Student Organization Secretary (Fall 2010)
Trouble shooting liaison for Nutrition Graduate Student Computer Lab (Fall 2010 –
Summer 2011)
Organized and arranged payment for travel, hotel, conference requirements, and
itinerary for four people to Poultry Science Conference in Ontario from Clemson, SC
(Spring/Summer 2008)
Fellowships
1. NIH Training Grant in Translational Science, National Institutes of Health (Fall 2012 ongoing)
2. Egg Nutrition Center Fellowship, American Egg Board (Invited to submit full proposal,
Spring 2012)
3. Presidential Life Sciences Fellowship, Cornell University (Fall 2010-Spring 2011 Funding
Year)
4. Trustee Scholarship, Clemson University (Fall 2006 – Spring 2010)
5. Palmetto Fellows Scholarship, Clemson University (Fall 2006 – Spring 2010)
6. Palmetto Pact Scholarship , Clemson University (Fall 2006 - Spring 2010)
Grants
1. ENC Research Grant, Egg Nutrition Center (Spring 2013) – Invited to submit full
proposal. Value: $104,400
2. Balchem Grant, Balchem Corporation – Awarded Fall 2012. Value: $22,000
3. DNS Small Grant (P.I.) – Awarded for Spring 2012. Value: $1700
4. HEAA Small Grant (P.I.) – Awarded for Fall 2011. Value: $340
Publications
Book Chapters
Davenport C, Caudill MA. Choline in human milk. In: Dietary and Nutritional Aspects of
Human Breast Milk. Wageningen Academic Publishers. In press.
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Crystal L. Davenport
Presentations
1. Poster Presentation. Experimental Biology, Boston, MA, Spring 2013.
2. Poster Presentation. Nutrition Research Symposium, Ithaca, NY Spring 2013.
3. Oral presentation. Annual ACC Undergraduate Research Conference, North Carolina
State University, April 2009.
4. Poster Presentation. Annual Poultry Science Association Meeting Poster Session,
Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, July 2008.
Professional Affiliations
1. American Society of Nutrition, Member Fall 2013-present.
Technical Expertise
1. Analytical Techniques
Very Experienced
- RT-PCR/QPCR
- Spectrophotometry
- LC-MS/MS
Experienced
- PCR
- Gel electrophoresis
- Radioimmunoassays
- Vector insertions/ligations
- LacZ blue white screens for vector ligation
Familiar
- Aseptic technique
- Construct cloning
- Microbial culture and strain maintenance/freezing
- Western blot
- Producing competent bacterial strains
2. Model Organisms
- S. cerevisiae
- E. coli
- Rattus norvegicus
- Gallus gallus domesticus
- Meleagris gallopavo
- Numida meleagris
- Equus caballus
- Bos taurus
- Equus caballus
- Familiar with working with human subjects
3. Computer Skills
Experienced
- Proficient in standard office software (Powerpoint, Microsoft
Word, Notepad, Adobe Acrobat, etc.)
- Adobe Photoshop
- Microsoft Excel (database management, basic statistical
analysis, transfer between Excel and statistical software
packages)
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Crystal L. Davenport
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JMP (statistical analysis software)
SPSS (statistical analysis software)
Endnote (bibliography management software)
CNCPS (Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System)
Familiar
- SAS (statistical analysis software)
- R (statistical analysis software)
- Perl programming language
- Dreamweaver; Mozilla web design platform
4. Agriculture Certifications
o South Carolina Small Flock Certification
o South Carolina Pullorum-Typhoid testing (NPIP tester) Certification
5. Agricultural Skills
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Skid-loader (“skid-steer”) operation
Square hay bale stacking
Tractor operation, both standard and hydrostatic
Manual transmission vehicles/equipment
Gators, commercial grade zero turn lawnmowers, bush hogs,
power tools, ATV, auger, and other equipment operation
Operation of outboard motor watercraft
Sit-in and sit-on-top kayaks
Can ride horses (western), some experience with carriage
driving
Goat packing experience
Poultry artificial insemination experience
Industrial scale carcass composter management and
environmental compliance
Hatchery maintenance, operation, and management
Poultry business management and government compliance
General animal husbandry from breeding to table (beef, dairy,
poultry, swine, sheep, goat, etc.)
Veterinary skills (I.V.s, handling, injections, deworming)
6. Livestock Life Cycle/Production Experience
Very Experienced
- Laying hens (SCWL, etc.), Broilers, Show Chickens, Turkeys,
Guineafowl
Experienced
- Horses, Swine, Emu, Bobwhite Quail, Dairy and Fiber Goats.
Familiar
- Beef Cattle (Angus), Dairy Cattle (Holstein/Jersey/Brown
Swiss/Aryshire)
- Feeder Fish (Guppy/Rosy Red Minnow)
- Wildlife