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NICOLAS A. H. LARA

QUALIFICATION SUMMARY
  • Passion for improving data analysis and visualization techniques
  • Extensive experience in data curation, analysis, and presentation
  • Skilled in R, Ruby, Python, and command line programming for genetic analysis
  • Strong background in agricultural genetics and genomics supported by research experience in evolution and biochemistry

    • EDUCATION
    Ph.D. (in progress)
    Crop Science, N.C. State University
        - Advisor: Dr. Gina Brown-Guedira
    2020-Exp. 2025     B.A.
    Biology, Oberlin College
        - Chemistry and Spanish minors.
        - Leo S. Millar Memorial Prize recipient.
    2014-2018

    EXPERIENCE
    See curated resume. Data Science Co-op
    Advanced Analytics and Data Science
    Syngenta, Research Triangle Park, NC
        - Performed novel genetic data analysis to validate untested methods and advance the discovery breeding pipeline in maize.
    2024     Graduate Research Assistant
    Brown-Guedira Lab
    North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
        - Perform genomic analysis for QTL identification and characterization in wheat.
        - Collect, digitize, clean, and integrate phenotypic data on wheat using many visual, analogue, and digital tools and methods.
        - Implement haplotype-based tools for genomic imputation and analysis for soft red winter wheat on high-performance computer clusters.
    2021-Present     Research Assistant
    Michel Lab
    The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH
        - Characterized compost samples to support analysis reports for clients such as Bayer and the City of Toronto.
        - Developed web application to visualize microbiome community composition in compost and soil samples.
    2019-2020     Research Assistant
    College of Veterinary Medicine
    The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
        - Helped set up and begin operations in Dr. Amit Sharma’s retrovirus research lab.
        - Maintaining macaque and human cell cultures, performed viral transvections, and imaged and characterized infected cells.
    2018     Calibration Contractor
    Luk Transmission Systems LLC, Wooster, OH
        - Prepared plant for successful audit.
        - Calibrated variety of gauges such as calipers, micrometers, indicators, size and position gauges, and surface plates.
    2018     Independent Study of Chilean Marsupial
    Cruz Lab
    Oberlin College, Valdivia, Chile
        - Conducted literature review of Dromiciops gliroides (Monito del Monte), paying particular attention to diet, habitat, and life history traits.
        - Met with researchers at principle study location, La Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.
        - Wrote a summary report on habitat, life history, and care details for potential use as a lab animal.
    2017     Undergraduate Researcher
    Roles Lab
    Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH
        - Researched and developed procedures for A. thaliana callus culture, habituation, and plant induction to start new model system for lab.
    2017-2018     Research Intern
    Allen Institute for Brain and Cell Science, Seattle, WA
        - Performed RNA extraction, amplification, cDNA conversion, sample cleanup, PCR, and patch-Clamp for the Mouse Brain Atlas project.
    Summer 2017     Chemistry Lab Teaching Assistant
    Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
    Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH
        - Assisted chemistry students with lab procedures and understanding of chemical concepts.
        - Spring 2017: Chemical Principles; Fall 2017: Structure and Reactivity; Spring 2018: Organic Chemistry.
    2017-2018     NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates
    Hamilton Lab
    Michigan State University, Hickory Corners, MI
        - Designed an experiment to measure drivers of decomposition in flocculent sediment in freshwater.
        - Results published in Freshwater Science.
    Summer 2016     Undergraduate researcher
    Tovar team
    Oberlin College, Mexico City, Mexico
        - Worked on 'Socio-Spatial Mapping of the Mexico City Subway System' project.
        - Traveled the Mexico City subway system with a team of researchers, collecting data on cultural and social icons and mapping their spatial significance.
    2016     Academic Ambassador
    Office of Dean of Studies
    Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH
        - Worked with Dean Randal Doane to help acclimate first-year students to the college environment by meeting with students individually to answer questions and help them to navigate the academic, administrative, and cultural terrain of Oberlin College.
        - Created and promoted events and activities to help new students foster academic and social support networks.
    2016-2017     Calculus Tutor
    Department of Mathematics
    Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH
      2015-2016       Undergraduate Researcher
      Cruz Lab
      Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH & Cleveland, OH
          - Collaborated with Professor Yolanda Cruz and her lab, researching differences in filovirus gene expression in Monodelphis domestica tissue and vasa protein gene expression in M. domestica embryos, using mRNA.
      2015-2016       Psychiatric Shadow
      Lamoille Country Mental Health Services, Morrisville, VT
          - Shadowed a psychiatrist, Crisis Hotline Staff, and Child Service staff over the course of a winter term.
      2015       Research Assistant
      Francis Lab
      The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH
          - Performed DNA extractions, PCRs, and DNA library preparation to screen cultivars for different carotenoid pathways.
      2013-2014

      LEADERSHIP & SERVICE
      Chair
      USDA Wheat Coordinated Agricultural Project

      Planned and organized a graduate plant genetics symposium prior to PAG 32

      2025       Organizer
      USDA Wheat Coordinated Agricultural Project & NCSU

      Assisted in planning and organizing the 2023 Genomic Selection Workshop

      2023       Executive Member
      Allies in Academics, NCSU

      Invited speakers for the 2022-2023 Genes & Society: Decolonizing Human Genetic Research seminar series, in addition to organizing the events

      2022-2023       President, Treasurer
      Plant Breeding Club, NCSU

      Hosted and organized the 2022 student led Plant Breeding Club symposium

      2020-2022       Treasurer
      Earth Day Celebration Committee, The Ohio State University

      Managed funds and sought donations to host biannual Earth Day celebration at the Agricultural Research Center campus

      2020       Volunteer Assistant Manager
      Local Roots Cooperative Farmers' Market, Wooster OH

      Managed store, coordinated volunteers and vendors, and provided behind-the-scenes support such as selling used equipment

      2019-2020       Head Chef, Baker, and Operations Coordinator
      Oberlin Student Cooperative Association, Oberlin College

      Led teams of students to cook meals for 150+ diners once a week; led discussions and coordinated voting for leadership positions, budget allocations, etc.

      2015-2018

      HONORS & AWARDS
        Poster Competition Winner (1st Place) Mason Pharr Horticulture Symposium, NCSU 2024
        Travel Scholarship Plant Breeding Consortium, NCSU 2023
        Honorable Mention Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP), NSF 2022
        Travel Scholarship Plant Breeding Consortium, NCSU 2022
        Doctoral Fellowship NCSU Provost's Office 2020
        Fellowship Genetics and Genomics Scholars, NCSU 2020
        Leo S. Millar Memorial Prize Oberlin College Biology Department 2018
        REU Travel Grant Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory 2017


      PUBLICATIONS
        - Yu, X., Lara, N. A. H., Carbajal, E. M., Milla-Lewis, S. R. QTL mapping of morphological characteristics that correlated to drought tolerance in St. Augustinegrass. PLoS One (2022)
        - Kincaid, D. W., Lara, N. A. H., Tiegs, S. D., Hamilton, S. K. Decomposition in flocculent sediments of shallow freshwaters and its sensitivity to warming. Freshwater Science (2019)

      For concise summary of accomplishments.