Gustavo A. Ramírez
889 E. Alvarado unit G, Pomona CA 91767
(909) 764-1764
gustavo.a.ramirez@usc.edu
Education:
Doctor of Philosophy Degree, Geomicrobiology (Expected Spring 2015)
University of Southern California, Los Angeles CA
Bachelor in Science Degree, Microbiology Spring 2011
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona CA
Associate in Science Degree, Biology Summer 2007
Citrus College, Glendora CA
Experience:
June 2011- present
University of Southern California, Los Angeles CA
Graduate Researcher
1. Currently working on Doctoral studies in the NSF-funded Center for Dark Energy Biosphere
Investigations (C-DEBI) under the guidance of Dr. Katrina J. Edwards. Research interests include
elucidating Microbe-Mineral interactions at and below the deep seafloor of the aphotic ocean and
developing techniques aimed at rapid detection of bioburden in low biomass samples.
January – May 2011
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
California Institute of Technology, Pasadena CA
Intern
1. Worked as a member of JPL’s Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Team under the
supervision of Dr. Parag Vaishampayan. Our primary research interest was developing novel
molecular techniques aimed at increasing the resolution of culture independent methods for
quantifying the biological burden on spacecraft-associated materials in cleanroom environments.
We have also begun R & D work for NASA’s Jupiter-Europa System Orbiter, an Astrobiological
mission that will explore the Jovian satellite’s habitability, scheduled for launch in February 2020.
2. Government laboratory experience has exposed me to cutting edge research methodologies and
tools such as real-time quantitative-PCR (RT-qPCR), biotinylated nucleic acid manipulation using
streptavidin coated magnetic beads, small ribosomal subunit gene amplification, DNA
quantification and visualization using bioanalyzer, intercellular ATP quantification, and spore
resistance quantification.
January 2009- January 2011
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona CA
Associate Research Fellow
1.
Worked as an undergraduate researcher in the laboratory of Dr. Brelles-Mariño, an expert in the
field of Plant-Microbe interactions. The primary goal of our work includes elucidating the genetic
mechanisms behind the complex molecular signaling responsible for the onset of the LegumeRhizobia symbiosis. The majority of the work consists of exposing the model legume plant,
Medicago truncatula, to prokaryotic derived signal molecules called Nod factors and, at various
stages, isolating total plant RNA. Subsequently, reverse transcriptase PCR analysis is performed to
assess the activity of genetic elements associated with the required physiological and
morphological changes observed at the onset of the symbiotic association.
2.
This project has allowed me to strengthen various skills particularly in areas of molecular biology,
histology, and biostatistics. Additionally, this long-term commitment to a single line of work has
allowed me to develop various other skills such as networking, participation in professional
meetings and developing project goals aimed at primary literature publications, all which are
universal aspects associated with academic research.
Summer 2009
Fundacíon Instituto Leloir, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
International Research Apprentice
1. Worked as a research apprentice in the Laboratory of Biochemistry and Genetics of Rhizobacteria.
My primary assignment was the construction of a red fluorescent protein expression cloning
vector in aims of obtaining a broad range plasmid capable of expressing the red fluorescent protein
product while being highly compatible with other fluorescence conferring vectors commonly used
in gram negative bacteria. This particular construction has multiple applications, specifically in
experiments involving double fluorescence tagged microscopy, and it is therefore, a useful
expansion in the molecular tool kit used in the study of Plant-Microbe interactions.
2.
Developed hands on experience in various techniques involved in molecular cloning. Gained
exposure to fluorescence microscopy and molecular software tools useful in vector plasmid
design. In addition to my scientific growth, being abroad has enhance my skills in developing
strong professional relationships independently of cultural settings and has paid countless other
dividends in the managing of interpersonal communication skills critical for the multidisciplinary
nature of modern scientific ventures.
August 2007- January 2009
Certified Laboratories of So. California Inc.
Buena Park CA
Microbiology Laboratory Technician
1.
Work assignments consisted of both preparatory and analytical phases of ISO certified water,
food, and environmental microbiological laboratory analysis. Daily responsibilities included
working on various quality control checks, sample preparation for incubation, ELISA runs, plate
counts, confirmation of presumptive samples, data gathering and interpreting, and reporting of
daily result sheets to supervisors in an accurate and timely manner. Additional responsibilities
included maintaining, understanding, and executing federally enacted scientific protocols for
independent laboratory testing of FDA investigation samples.
2.
Strengthened skills in various microbiological procedures and techniques such as the
implementation and improvisation of aseptic practice. Developed through understanding for the
isolation, enrichment, detection, confirmation and identification of various food borne pathogens
some of which include E.coli O157H7, Salmonella, and Listeria. Acquired important skills
required for the safe, accurate, and timely analysis of hundreds of daily laboratory samples for
clients with the highest standards in the environmental and food safety industry.
March 2007–November 2007
Oak Crest Institute of Science, Pasadena CA
Associate Research Fellow
1.
Worked as an undergraduate at the Oak Crest Institute of Science in Biocatalysis project under the
guidance of Dr. Marc Baum. Research involved using 10 strains of novel wild type
pseudomonads, able to tolerate high concentrations of toxic organic substrates, as biocatalyst in
order to allow the enantiospecific oxigenation of a pro-chiral sulfur atom.
2.
Developed analytical experience and hands on professional laboratory techniques. Specifically:
Applied aseptic technique, bacterial library expansion and safekeeping, analytical chemistry skills
in organic product analysis via Thin Layer Chromatography and Gas Chromatography- Mass
Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy preparatory procedures, 96 well plate rapid
screening procedures using Spectra Max Software.
February 2007-June2007
On Assignment Laboratory Staffing Services
Quality Control Inspector
1.
Worked as Temporary Quality Control Inspector for Naked Juice (Pepsi Co.). This assignment
consisted of hourly inspections being carried out at various co-packing facilities throughout
Southern California. Inspection parameters included checking hourly temperature of the product
off the production line and storage trailers, reporting and overlooking crew responsibilities and
product handling efficiency, responsible for notifying headquarters of any company equipment
breakdown, and keeping records of all pick ups and deliveries of Naked Juice product at the
specific co-packing facility.
2.
Developed skills in handling all the necessary paper work associated with a quality control
department post and acquired an overall sense of the food industry’s need for a rigorous focus on
aseptic standards.
Conferences/ Talks:
August 2011
University of Southern California Young Researchers Poster Session, Los Angeles CA
Poster Presentation:
Mariprofundus ferrooxydans: Life in a harsh toxic environment.
July 2011
University of Southern California Summer Institute Symposium, Los Angeles CA
Oral Presentation:
Mineral-Microbe Interactions: Voyage to the deep subsurface of the North Pacific.
September 2010
California State Polytechnic Summer Research Symposium, Pomona CA
Oral Presentation:
Early onset of the Legume-Rhizobia symbiosis: Nod factor-elicited expression of the early nodulin
MtENOD20 in Medicago truncatula seeds.
May 2010
Southern California Academy of Sciences Annual Meeting, Los Angeles CA
Poster Presentation:
Early Onset of the Legume-Rhizobia Symbiosis: Detection of early nodulin gene activity in M.
truncatula seeds following Nod Factor exposure.
April 2010
Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Annual Meeting, Anaheim CA
Poster Presentation:
Construction of the broad range expression-cloning vector pHC60mCherry: Plant-Microbe
interaction applications.
September 2009
California State Polytechnic Summer Research Symposium, Pomona CA
Oral Presentation:
Can seeds perceive Nod Factors? : The search for an alternative Nod Factor perception mechanism
in M. truncatula seeds.
May 2009
Southern California Academy of Sciences Annual Meeting, Palos Verdes CA
Poster Presentation:
Do Medicago truncatula seeds perceive Nod Factors?
Awards:
National Science Foundation, Graduate Research Fellowship (2011)
University of Southern California, Rose Hills’ Ph.D. Provost Fellowship Award (2011)
University of Southern California, Graduate School Summer Institute Fellowship Award (2011)
California State Polytechnic University, President’s List (2008-2011)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration, USRP Fellowship Award (2010)
National Institutes of Heath, RISE pre-Doctoral Research Fellowship Award (2009)
National Institutes of Health, MHIRT International Research Fellowship Award (2009)
California State Polytechnic University, CCRAA Undergraduate Research Fellowship Award (2008)
National Science Foundation, Research Experience for Undergraduates Fellowship Award (2007)
Citrus College, Glendora CA, Dean’s List (2006-2007)
U. S. Army JROTC- PHS Red Devil Battalion, Outstanding Citizenship/Service Award (2003)
Field Work:
NSF C-DEBI Atlantis/Jason II Expedition to the North Pacific Ocean (June-July 2011)
Participated in AT18-07 Expedition to the Eastern Flank of the Juan de Fuca Ridge system, off the western
Canadian-United States border as part of the science team on board the research vessel Atlantis. Our
Primary goals included retrieving and replacing newly developed microbial colonization observatory
systems from different boreholes at the seafloor using the Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) JASON II.
Primary assignments included the assembly, casing, retrieval, and sample processing of Flow-through
Osmo Colonization Systems (FLOCS) containing various mineral substrates for studying microbial
colonization patters at and kilometers below the deep seafloor and daily data logging shift for all Jason II
ROV dives. Developed hands on experience in general oceanography instrumentation, logistics of
remotely operated robotics, and sample preservation techniques for subsequent RNA, DNA, ATP, SEM
and geological analysis. Gained outreach experience by participating in a web-seminar live Q &A with the
general public in a Pennsylvania Museum.
NASA Spaceward Bound Expedition to the Mojave Desert and Death Valley (March 2011).
Collected samples of biological interest in lava tubes and soda lakes for metabolic and phylogenetic
analysis. Presented a guest lecture to the group, composed of faculty and undergraduates from various
CSU campuses, in the significance of life in extreme environments for Astrobiology and demonstrated
culture independent techniques (i.e.: intra and extracellular ATP detection, automated DNA extraction,
qPCR analysis of 16s rDNA) relevant to Planetary Protection at JPL.
Activities/Organizations:
University of Southern California, Los Angeles CA
National Science Foundation Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations, Researcher (2011-present)
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA
National Institutes of Health RISE, pre-Doctoral Scholar (2009-2011)
Citrus College, Glendora CA
Philosopher’s Club, Member (2005-2007)
Pomona High School, Pomona CA
United States Army Jr. ROTC, Battalion Executive Officer (1999-2003)
Non-Academic Interest:
Amateur Musician, Amateur Astronomy, Long-Distance Running