1. Cassie Bonavita
200 Henry Lee Lane
Yorktown, VA 23692
(757) 812-0937
cbonavita@radford.edu
Education:
 Grafton High School(2007-2011)
o Graduating GPA: 3.3
 East Carolina University (fall 2011- spring 2012)
o Transferring GPA: 3.75
 Radford University
o Current GPA: 3.17
o Major: Biology
o Bachelor of science achieved 12/2015
Achievements/ Awards:
 East Carolina University Dean’s list (fall2011)
 Recipient of the Scholar Citizen Initiative’s Highlander in Action grant (Spring 2014)
o A $2000 grant which allowed me to do research abroad and pays them to
complete a projectthat is both research based and contributes to society in a
humanitarian manner.
 Recipient of the biology department research scholarship $1000 (Spring 2015)
 Recipient of the Radford University SURF grant $2500 (Spring 2015)
 Recipient of the American Society forMicrobiology undergraduate summer
fellowship $4000 (Spring 2015)
Research Experience:
 Radford Arbovirus & Medical Entomology Laboratory with Dr. Anderson (Spring
2014- current)
o Assisted withresearch on dengue and La Crosse viruses. The project
investigated intestinal bacteria’s correlation to disease status and
transmission. I was responsible for capturing samples, dissections,
extractions, PCR testing, and building a workingcollaboration with
University of Costa Rica
 University of Costa Rica center of investigation in infectiousdisease with Dr.
Eugenia Corrales (May 2014- June 2014)
o Assisted withresearch on dengue virus
o The project investigated intestinal bacteria’s correlation to disease status
and involvedcapturing samples, dissections, extractions, and PCRtesting in
Costa Rica.
 Radford University’s scholarly research outreach engagement program with Dr.
Davis (Fall 2014)
o This experience is an outreach program that involvesspeaking to University
100 students in class setting, participating in round table talks and
producing outreach videos on research performed
 Radford Amazonian Research Expedition (Spring 2015)
o A three week research expedition into the Peruvian rainforest on the Las
Piedras river
o Eachof the 13 selected students performed their owndeveloped research
project.

2.  My projectconsisted of collecting mosquitoes and dissecting them to
determine disease status, particularly dengue virus and investigate
the microbiome of the intestine
 I will be presenting my research at the ASM general meeting in June
2015
 Presenting at the localand national ASM meeting (Fall & Spring 2015)
o This fall and June I will be presenting my summer research at both meetings
as an ASM summer research fellow
Presentations & Publications:
 Presenting at the annual undergraduate research forum (Fall 2014 & Fall
2015)
o 2014- I presented a poster on the intestinal diversity of Aedes
mosquitoes
o 2015- I gave an oral presentation of my summer research experience
in Peru as a recipient of the SURF grant
 Presenting at the local ASM meeting (Fall 2015)
o I presented a poster of my summer research at the local meetings as
an ASM summer research fellow
 I am currently waiting on review for a publication from the Animal Diversity
Website o I researched and wrote an encyclopedia page on the species
Cnemidophorus sexlineatus (Six-lined Racerunner)
Skills:
 Basic biology, chemistry, and anatomy knowledge
 Proficiency inPCR, DNA decoding, pipetting, and dissecting
 Ability to live and work in a foreign country without knowledgeof the language
 Video performance and production
o http://youtu.be/5MEVsLhsSpM
o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_bThboeATg&feature=youtu.be
 Website design
o www.cassiebonavita.weebly.com
 Data Analysis
 Problem solving
 Public speaking
 Proficientin word, excel, PowerPoint,and adobe
 CPR
 Small mammal & bird trapping
 Animal/ Human dissecting skills
 Presenting research both orally and in poster form
Work Experience:
 Teaching Assistant for MicrobialEcology Lab (Bio 481) (Fall 2015)
o Lab set up and clean up
 Including preparation of any needed materials, such as agar plates
and PCR master mix
o Assisting the students throughout each lab session
o Providing study sessions before each exams
 Radford Arbovirus & Medical Entomology Laboratory (may 2014- September 2014)
o Undergraduate Researcher

3. o Responsibilities: Collection of samples, Dissection of samples, Extraction of DNA,
PCR, and assessment of gels
 Ruby Tuesdays (may 2012- current)
o Host, Busser, Server, Expo
o Responsibilities: Cleaning, food preparation, setting guests, scheduling reservations,
serving customer
 Water Country USA (may 2011- august 2011)
o Life guard/ Ride attendant
o Responsibilities: Life guarding in shallow water below 5 feet, ride attendant, and
cleaning
 Curl Up’s Hair Salon (January 2008- august 2011)
o Receptionist
o Responsibilities: schedule appointments, wash hair, assist hair dressers, clean, and
washing towels
Affiliations:
 Competition chair of the organization of Phi Sigma Sigma
o Act as the organization representative in all philanthropic competitions- derby days,
greek week, war of the roses, etc.
 Order of Omega
o Leadership honor society for members of Fraternity & Sorority members
 SCORE research ambassador
o Radford universities outreach and research promotion team
 Tri Beta
o The local organization present at the university
 Wildlife Society
o Undergraduate local branch
Volunteer Experience:
 ProjectLinus (October2013)
o Making blankets for impoverished children
 Barefoot forBare feet (December2013)
o Raising money to buy impoverished children shoes
 Salem Food bank (November 2013)
o Sorting, cleaning, checking food labels, and making packages for families
 Kidney Walk in Roanoke (October2013)
o Supports national kidney foundation
 Note Taker (Fall 2014)
o Taking notes for physics 111 for students with special needs
 Road Side Cleanup (monthly)
o Cleaning the streets of Radford
 Hat, Scarves, and Gloves Drive (November2014)
o Supporting the new river area’s low-income children
 La Carpia Supplies drives and fund raising (Summer- Fall 2014)
o Gathering clothing, shoes, and money for an area in Costa Rica in extreme poverty