Tara Roth
1959 Lake Blvd
Davis, CA 95616
Email: tmroth@gmail.com
Phone: (530)902-1723
Education:
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PhD Comparative Pathology (Expected 2016) – University of California Davis, Davis,
CA
MS Ecology and Systematics (2009) - San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA
BS Evolution, Ecology and Biodiversity (2005) – University of California Davis, Davis,
CA
AS General Arts and Sciences (2003) – Santa Rosa Junior College, Santa Rosa, CA
Publications – Most recent first
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Roth, T.; Worth, J.; et.al. 2013 Bacterial flora found on Rana cascades in the Klamath
Range of California. Comparative Immunology, Microbiology & Infectious Diseases.
36(6): 591-598
Sammack: et.al. 2013 Investigation of tularemia outbreak after natural infection of
outdoor-housed rhesus macaques (Macca mulatta) with Francisella tularensis.
Comparative Medicine 63(2):183-190
Strauss, S; et.al. 2009 Cryptic seedling herbivory by nocturnal introduced generalists
impacts survival, performance of native and exotic plants. Ecology 902(2): 419-429
Funding
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TREE program: Biology Training and Research in Evolution and Ecology - 2007-2009
Funded by the S-STEM program of the National Science Foundation and the Department
of Biology at San Francisco State University.
T32 Training Grant: Vector-Borne Disease – 2012-2013
Funded by the Center for Vector Borne Disease (CVEC) through the National Institute of
Health (NIH).
Extracurricular Activities
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Designated Emphasis in Vector Borne Disease Executive Committee – Student
Representative 2015-2016
Produced commissioned artwork for a breeding program - Amargosa Vole
UC Davis Men’s Rowing Team – Coxswain for competitive University of Davis men’s
team - 2003-2005
River City Rowing Club – Coxswain for competitive women’s team - 2005-2007
GRE Scores/GPA
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Verbal 680 (96%), Quantitative 760 (85%), Analytical Writing 5.0 (81%)
San Francisco State University Master’s Degree Final GPA: 4.0
UC Davis PhD Current GPA: 3.9
Certifications
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Chemical Immobilization of Animals – Awarded by Dr. Kenneth Waldrup, Safe Capture
Int. Inc. on May 5, 2013.
University of California Laboratory Safety Fundamentals – Awarded October 30, 2013
University of California Biosafety Cabinets – Awarded January 24, 2013
Current Employment
Doctorate Research in Disease Ecology-----------------------------------------UC Davis, CA 95616
Duration: September 2011 – Present
Relevant Skills:
 Animal Sampling Skills
o Live trapping (Tomahawk and Sherman)
o Blood collection (retro-orbital abrasion, femoral venipuncture, cardiac puncture)
o Feces collection
o Necropsy/tissue collection
 Medical Entomology Skills
o Tick flagging, preservation and identification
o Flea collection, burrow swabbing, preservation and identification
o Mosquito collection (CDC CO2/light baited traps) and identification
o Tabanid collection (malaise trapping) and identification
o Dissecting and light microscopy
 Serology Skills
o Direct ELISA
o IFA
o UV microscopy
 Molecular Biology Skills
o DNA extraction (Qiagen Blood and Tissue Extraction, Ammonium Hydroxide
extraction)
o Taqman real-time PCR
o Conventional PCR, gel electrophoresis, sequencing
 Data Analysis/Computing Skills
o In depth knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word/Excel/Powerpoint)
o Elementary knowledge of GIS
o Elementary knowledge of R-statistical packaging
o Scientific writing
 Physical Skills
o High alpine and deep woods trapping
o Backpacking
o Navigation with GPS, compass and map.
Supervisor: Janet Foley DVM PhD: 530-754-9740
GA/Mentor Career Discovery group--------------------------------------------UC Davis, CA 95616
Duration: September 2013 – Present
Relevant Skills:
 Teaching Skills
o Write, prepare and deliver weekly lectures
o Mentor incoming freshmen
o Design and grade weekly assignments
 Leadership Skills
o Acted as Lead TA
o Advised other TA’s on lesson plans
o Provided materials for lessons
Supervisor: David Rizzo PhD
Past Employment
Graduate Teaching Assistant-----------------------------------------------------UC Davis, CA 95616
Duration: Fall Quarter (September – December) 2011
Relevant Skills:
 Teaching
o Graded tests and essays
o Produced four 45 min power-point illustrated lectures relevant and interesting to the
class topic on bird circulatory and digestive system as well as the evolution of
feathers
Supervisor: Annie King PhD
USGS Forest Service - Field Assistant------------------------------------------UC Davis, CA 95616
Duration: May 2011-October 2011
Relevant Skills:
 Navigational Skills
o Used GPS, compass and map.
o Navigated to sites through dense brush at high elevations (2000-8000+ft),
 Botany Skills
o Aged trees, used plant keys
o Used a clinometer
o Measured diameter of trees
o Estimated percent canopy coverage.
Supervisor: Hugh Stafford PhD
Volunteer – Marine Mammal Center ------------------1065 Fort Cronkhite, Sausalito, CA 94965
Duration: May 2002- August 2002, May 2010 – September 2010
Relevant Skills:
 Animal Husbandry Skills
o Clean pens and tubs, prepare food and medication
o Monitor sickly animals. Tube feeding/restraint.
o Large animal handling under potentially dangerous conditions.
 Over 100 hours of service.
Jr. Specialist Scientist--------------------------------------------------------------UC Davis, CA 95616
Duration: September 2009 – January 2010
Relevant Skills:
 Molecular Biology Skills
o Conventional and real-time Taqman PCR.
o Quiagen blood and tissue and gel extractions.
 Microbiology Skills
o Bacterial isolation,
o Gram staining and colony morphology.
 Veterinary Skills
o Necropied rodents, collected tissues for DNA extraction.
 Office Skills
o Scientific writing.
o Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
o Adobe Illustrator
Supervisor: Janet Foley, DVM PhD: 530-754-9740
Master’s Thesis Work ------------------------San Francisco State University, San Francisco 94132
Duration: June 15, 2007 – August 31, 2009
Relevant Skills:
 Medical Entomology Skills
o Identified and collected feather mites.
o Mounted, preserved and identified feather mites using a key.
 Molecular Biology Skills
o DNA extraction (Chelex, Quiagen blood and tissue and phenolchloroform extraction
techniques).
o Design primers for conventional PCR,
o PCR optimization and troubleshooting.
o Gel-electrophoresis,
o Exosapit/Spin column clean up, isopropanol DNA precipitation.
o Sequencing via ABI 3100 sequencer.
Adviser: Greg Spicer, PhD: 415-338-6756
Graduate Assistant – Hematology---------San Francisco State University, San Francisco, 94132
Duration: January 21, 2009 – May 21, 2009; 10 hr/wk
Relevant Skills:
 Teaching Skills
o Wrote quizzes and worksheets, graded assignments
o Assisted students with blood cell morphology
 Laboratory Managerial Skills
o Fixed and troubleshooted microscope issues
o Ran wet labs and stocked supplies
Supervisor: Leslie Tobler, PhD
Field Assistant---------------------------------San Francisco State University, San Francisco, 94132
Duration: June 1, 2008 – August 29, 2008; 20-30 hr/wk
Relevant Skills:
 Field Biology Skills
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GPS navigation
Traversed marsh habitat in boats and on foot
Plant, soil, fish and invertebrate sampling,
Set feldspar stations (measures vertical rise of land over time – rate of soil
deposition) and SET stations (measures horizontal land change over time)
o Calculated average salinity
 Botany Skills
o Identified plants
o Calculated percent species coverage and biomass
Supervisor: Ellen Herbert.
Laboratory Technician-------------------------------------Genencor International, Palo Alto, 94304
Duration: February 1, 2007 – May 31, 2007; 40 hr/wk
Relevant Skills:
 Molecular Biology Skills
o Used electronic and positive displacement pipettes to run enzyme analyses on a
broth samples to test enzymatic activity over time.
o Used Konelab instruments as well as executed difficult, time restricted, tests by
hand.
o Assisted in troubleshooting problematic assays.
o Ran SDS-Page Protein gels and maintained the laboratory.
Supervisor: Meng Heng
Pathology Staff Research Associate II-----Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, Davis 95616
Duration: May 31, 2006 – September 30, 2006
Relevant Skills:
 Physical Skills
o Lift over 50 pounds using machinery, ropes and pulleys,
 Veterinary Skills
o Necropsy (large and small animal),
o Trimmed tissues for histopathology
o Performed biohazardous work with rabies or West Nile Virus suspected tissue
o Used full-face respirator,
o Enforced chemical and biohazard protocols
o Filed and organized tissue samples, histology slides and kodachromes.
Supervisor: Becky Griffey; (530)752-1369
Laboratory Assistant---------------Calpath/Gynepath Laboratory Services. Los Gatos, CA 95032
Duration: March 6, 2006 -- May 26, 2006
Relevant Skills:
 Laboratory Skills
o Processed patient medical records, biopsy and gynecological samples,
o Trimmed samples for histological blocks,
o Delivered completed slides to hospitals,
o Transcribed pathological dictations.
Pathology Lab Assistant III------------------Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, Davis 95616
Duration: July 15, 2005 – November 15, 2005
Relevant Skills:
 Physical Skills
o Lifted over 50 pounds using machinery, ropes and pulleys
 Laboratory Skills
o Performed necropsies on large and small animals
o Used full-face respirator
 Office Skills
o Performed filing and clerical work
o Answered phones
Supervisor: Becky Griffey; (530)752-1369
Volunteer - Spay Day------------------------Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, Davis, 95616
Duration: February 26-27, 2005
Relevant Skills:
 Clerical Skills
o Prepared paperwork.
 Animal Handling Skills
o Delivered dogs and cats to surgery rooms
o Took notes on spay and neuter surgeries
o Monitored recovery after anesthesia