Janessa
Language English
Professional Objective
A highly motivated individual with a short-term goal to receive a Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Biology to help advance my education and prepare me for using this degree to join a leading wildlife conservation organization. My long-term goal is to start my own wildlife conservation organization in Las Vegas, NV. I am interested in conservation to preserve biodiversity and genetic diversity, restore diminished ecosystems, and advance the science of preventing future extinctions.
Education
University of Nevada, Las Vegas; M.S. Degree - Cellular and Molecular Biology
Graduation Date: August 2023
Research: To understand, at a cellular level, the mechanisms of stressor resilience and sensitivity in a variety of mammalian species to extreme, environmental heat conditions
Taught BIOL 191L with a Graduate Assistant (GA) position
Gained skills and experience in fluorescence imaging, Western Blots, qPCR, and lactate dehydrogenase assays
Acquired knowledge and skills regarding cell culturing
Gained basic bioinformatic skills
Attended conferences and international meetings to represent Dr. Allyson Hindle’s lab for this project
University of Nevada, Las Vegas; B.S. Degree - Cellular and Molecular Biology
Graduation Date: December 15, 2020
Improved communication and teaching skills as a UTA for BIOL 197
Procured and improved mentoring skills in the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program
Acquired peer leadership skills in group activities in National Society Leadership and Success (NSLS)
Gained laboratory skills in undergraduate research provided by LSAMP program
Southwest Career and Technical Academy in Las Vegas, NV
Hospitality and Tourism [2013 – 2017]
Advanced Honors Diploma
Gained problem-solving skills via case scenarios in hospitality mock settings
Conducted school-wide projects with colleagues to gain and improve teamwork and communication skills
Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) Program – Focused interest in marketing, entrepreneurship, finance, hospitality and management
Work Experience
Research Biologist
University of Nevada, Las Vegas; Dr. Allyson Hindle’s Lab [Fall 2023 – Summer 2024]
Conducted research on the homeostatic maintenance of mammals normally exposed to environmental extremes by creating controlled conditions for experiments
Hands-on experience with cell culturing of different terrestrial and marine mammalian species’ primary dermal fibroblasts
Gathered data using controlled experiments and kept materials organized to send for ATAC, protein, and RNA sequencing
Improved bioinformatics skills with R studio
Experience working in a team-based environment in an academic setting
Teaching and Mentoring Experience
Teaching Assistant
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas [Fall 2020 and Spring 2021]
Instructed BIOL191L with a Graduate Assistant (GA) position
Undergraduate Teaching Assistant
University of Nevada, Las Vegas [Summer 2018]
Assisted the Teacher’s Assistant (TA) with any requested tasks
Lectured one lab session to the class
Proctored during quizzes/exams, helped set up microscopes and materials for quizzes and lectures
Assisted students with questions
LSAMP
University of Nevada, Las Vegas [Fall 2019 – Fall 2020]
Mentored freshman and sophomore undergraduate students
Directed students to appropriate support services at UNLV
Guided students with any questions or concerns
Encouraged students to conduct undergraduate research
Undergraduate Research Experience
Undergraduate Research Provided by LSAMP
University of Nevada, Las Vegas [Summer-Fall 2020]
Assisted in Dr. Sean Neiswenter’s research project on the population genetics of Apodemus
PCR and DNA sequencing
Managed and cleaned DNA sequence data using Sequencher program
Animal Training
University of Nevada, Las Vegas [Fall 2020]
Mouse restraint training
Publications
Constructed a manuscript regarding my undergraduate research
Montenegro, J. (2020). The Population Genetics of Apodemus in the Country of Georgia. Department of Life Sciences, University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Poster Presentations
Presented poster on master’s thesis research at the 13th International Mammalogical Congress meeting [July 2023]
Montenegro, J. (2023). Cellular heat responses of desert mammals promote survival in extreme conditions. Department of Life Sciences, University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Presented poster regarding master’s thesis research at the American Physiological Society Oct. 2022 conference
Montenegro, J. (2022). Cellular heat responses of desert mammals promote survival in extreme conditions. Department of Life Sciences, University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Presented undergraduate research project at the 21st Undergraduate Research Symposium
Montenegro, J. (2020). The Population Genetics of Apodemus in the Country of Georgia. Department of Life Sciences, University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Field Work
Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument
Las Vegas, NV [Sept. 2020]
Assisted Dr. Sean Neiswenter with setting traps for a small mammal survey
Clinical Experience
Intern/Assistant
Mai Orthodontics, Las Vegas, NV [Summer 2016]
Mentored and taught by Dr. Mai and staff
Assisted with small tasks on patients
Conducted x-ray shots
Managed front desk responsibilities that included maintaining schedule book and contacting patients
Cleaned equipment and utensils
Skills
Technical: Scientific tasks, project planning, task management, data management, scientific writing
Interpersonal: Communication, teamwork, and leadership skills
Laboratory: Standard PCR, gel electrophoresis, western blots, qPCR, cytotoxicity assays, microscopy, data collection and analysis
Achievements
Certification in the Hospitality and Tourism industry
SWCTA, Las Vegas, NV Summer 2017
Certification from National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS)
UNLV, Las Vegas, NV December 2018
Nevada INBRE Scientific Core Service Award
UNLV, Las Vegas, NV December 2022