1. Leah Benuska
613 S. Colfax Ave.
Elmhurst, IL, 60126
lbenuska92@gmail.com
(630)336-1287
LinkedIn URL: www.linkedin.com/pub/leah-benuska/ba/a37/64b
Objective: Acquire a position where I can use the analytical, organizational, research,and teamwork skills gained through
academic and work experience during my biology undergraduate study.
Education:
University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, Champaign, IL 61820
Graduation Date: May 2015
Major: Integrative Biology
Minor: Chemistry
GPA: 3.34
iBio Program: Studied ant and beetle diversity in different habitats in Central Illinois.
Experience: University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, Champaign IL 61820
Undergraduate Technician in Entomology Department
Bumblebee research:March 2014-May 2015 (Including summer research)
 Performed PCR and DNA extractions on bird fecalmatter samples searching for bumblebee
DNA
 Used spectrophotometry to measure reflectance data for bumblebee color patches
 Organized large amounts of data into comprehensive spreadsheet format
 Catalogued and tabulated specimens efficiently
Ant research:September 2012-December 2013
 Collected leaf litter and hand samples from natural and urban areas to be analyzed
 Classified collected specimens for further study
 Imaged specimens and edited images which were used in a national database
 Compiled collected data in succinct spreadsheets for future analysis
Undergraduate Researcher: iBio Program
Ant and beetle research:May 2013-August 2013
Conducted my own study on ant and beetle diversity in natural areas on a gradient of disturbance.
 Gathered leaf litter and hand samples from study areas to be analyzed
 Sorted collected specimens and organized collected data
 Researched published material to further substantiate my study and conclusions
 Presented my research at the University’s iBio Symposium at the end of the program
 Created a visual display of the research and presented it at the National Conference for the
Entomological Society of America in Austin, TX
Skills Gained:
 Analytical: gather and interpret information to draw conclusions
 Organizational: convert raw data into comprehensive scientific documents
 Communication: present information/data in written and oral form
 Data managing: proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
 Genuine desire to learn, excel, and grow
Volunteer Work: Northern Illinois Food Bank, 2007-Present
Languages: Conversational Spanish