DANIEL K. NELSON

Tucson, Arizona

dknelsonis@yahoo.com

OBJECTIVE

My objective is to utilize my diverse experience to learn Coulter FC 500 flow cytometer operation and applications toward clinical medicine. I would like to work in a mixed capacity atmosphere, whereas, I would do bench work, analyze data and write preliminary reports for pathologists.

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS 

· Flow Cytometry phenotyping and management of university core service (DNA synthesis), which includes auxiliary organizational experience with monthly reports, inventory control, budget analysis, vendor interaction, purchasing, product evaluation and supervisory experience.

· Fourteen years of medical and scientific laboratory experience. Examples are mononuclear cell processing and analysis, flow cytometry DNA synthesis, PBMC cultures and gel electrophoresis as well as auxiliary laboratory equipment. This diverse experience encompasses immunology and bio-medical methods in both a research and clinical atmosphere.

· Computer literate with PC platform utilizing Microsoft Word, NIH Digital Image Processing, StatView and Excel.

· Ability to interact with a variety of different people from an array of professions and cultures. Experience with non-native (Japanese) manuscript editing for English content.

EXPERIENCE

Southern Arizona Veterans Affairs Health Care System (Formerly Veterans Affairs Medical Center) Tucson, Arizona

 Biological Research Technician GS-7 (April 2003-present)

Operate and maintain the BD FacScan flow cytometer. Process human blood to isolate and culture PBMC. Process whole blood for CD69 assay (T-cell activation marker) on flow cytometer. Also, analyze plasma, serum, and cell culture supernatant on Cytometric Bead Array (CBA) assay via the flow cytometer. Perform Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) on various biological fluids (human plasma, serum, urine and cell culture supernatant) for various cytokine analyses. Fluorescent label our research glycoprotein antigen (T27k) with FITC and subsequent use in binding assay on human monocytes from PBMC cultures.; also, via flow cytometer.

 Biological Research Technician  GS-6 (July 1999-April 2003)

Analyzed biological fluids for cytokines using ELISA methods and chemotactic studies. Techniques utilized PBMC isolation for both monocytes and neutrophils. Utilized proven techniques, learned and developed new methods and technologies, which were applicable toward research projects related to veterans’ health issues. This encompassed the study of nitric oxide research as it applies to pulmonary function. Instruments and technology used was Sievers, Inc., NOA 280 Nitric Oxide analyzer that measures pulmonary nitric oxide gas, nitrite, nitrate levels in cell supernatants and body fluids (bronchoalveolar lavage, serum, breath condensate, and urine). Also performed general laboratory management functions such as cell culture maintenance, inventory, purchasing, product investigation, and evaluation of new instrumentation.

Page 2 Daniel K. Nelson

University Medical Center-Clinical Pathology  Tucson, Arizona

 Central Receiving and Processing Technician-Microbiology 

 (October 1997-July 1998)

Received and processed human tissue, blood, swabs and catheter parts. Procedures included inoculating specimens into proper culture media, preparing gram stains and reading quality control slides. Processed forensic (Medical Examiner’s Office) specimens according to Chain of Command and set up protocols. Entered appropriate data into computer.

Arizona Research Laboratories, University of Arizona Tucson, Arizona

 Research Specialist (December 1994-July 1996)

Managed, operated and maintained the DNA Synthesis Service at the core facility. Satisfied the needs of the research community for synthetic oligonucleotides (primers). This included synthesis of custom oligos and special modified oligos (fluorescent, biotinylated, phosphorylated). Purified these oligos using Thin Layer Chromatography and PAGE (polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) methods. Supervised general lab function including inventory control, purchasing, budget analysis, personnel supervision (2 students), instrument maintenance, trouble-shooting instrument malfunctions and evaluation of new instrumentation.

Research Technician  (February 1993-December 1994)

Operated and maintained the DNA synthesizer for synthesis of oligonucleotides. Provided custom primers and information for the research community. Attended the Applied Biosystems, Inc. workshop for DNA Sequencing and Theory utilizing the ABI 373 Sequencer (1993). Promoted to Research Specialist in December 1994 in recognition for accomplishments in production and improving credibility within the core facility.

University Medical Center  Tucson, Arizona

 Anesthesia Technician  Operating Room. (February 1991-February 1993)

Assisted anesthesiologists with preparation for surgical cases. Set up of intravenous and arterial fluids and instrumentation (ventilators, heart monitors, etc.) Maintained and corrected problems with ventilators and other instruments.

Assisted physicians and nurses as needed during and post surgical procedures.

Medical Technologist  Clinical Pathology-Immunology

 (March 1987-April 1990)

Collected and prepared human tissue and blood samples for analysis using flow cytometry. Phenotyped blood lymphocyte subpopulations. Determined DNA ploidy for cancer diagnosis. Processed and analyzed AIDS patients’ blood for T4 and T8 ratios as an indicator of immune status. Conducted various laboratory procedures (lymphocyte separation techniques, mixed lymphocyte cultures to determine compatibility in kidney transplant cases). Performed comparative studies to analyze accuracy and precision of newly acquired instruments. Documented quality assurance protocols and records.

Data Technician  Clinical Pathology (October 1982-March 1987)

Received and processed blood samples and interpreted / disseminated physicians’ orders and samples to the appropriate sections (chemistry, hematology, microbiology, toxicology and virology) for analysis. Transferred physicians’ orders to prescheduled blood sample collections for subsequent days. Promoted to Medical Technologist in March 1987 after completing appropriate course work in immunology and biochemistry.

EDUCATION Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Arizona, Tucson 1971

  Flow Cytometry Seminar, Los Alamos Laboratories, New Mexico 1995