1. My name is Madison Parker and I recently graduated from Franklin College with a degree in
chemistry and a minor in biology with an industrial focus this past May of 2016.
Through my time at Franklin College, I have gained three years of hands-on lab experience. I am
familiar with chemistry lab procedures safety measures and sanitary concerns. In my academic
background, I have taken multiple courses that have refined my chemistry skills such as
analytical chemistry and instrumental analysis. These classes have given me applied experience
with atomic absorption spectrophotometry and high pressure liquid chromatography. I also have
experience in compound identification utilizing FT-IR, NMR, and GC/Mass spectroscopy
methods. I feel confident in my skills to complete the proper techniques and manage the
laboratory equipment with minimal training and supervision.
This past school year 2015-2016, I have gained instrumentation and lab experience through my
internship at Cummins Inc. in Columbus, IN. Through this involvement, I have expanded my
knowledge on instrumentation such as Karl Fischer, ICP, GC/Mass Spectrometry, Viscometer,
and automated titration of oils and lubricants. Working with these instruments has given me
insight on troubleshooting, interpreting data, and creating methods. I also have worked with
MSA to make sure that instrumentation follows the correct ASTM method and is precise and
accurate. At my internship, I have had the most involvement with the automated titrator. We
utilize the automated titrator to determine how additive packages break down in used oil.
Working at Cummins Inc., I have helped to develop a method that implements an auto doser with
the titrator to make analysis more efficient. I also performed my own MSA on the FT-IR
instrument comparing the method that Cummins Inc. uses to ASTM D7371 using Minitab.
In my time at Franklin College I have been enrolled in multiple classes that has expanded my lab
techniques and abilities. In my microbiology course we were given an unknown bacteria strain
and spent 15 weeks determining the unknown strain utilizing microbiology lab techniques. This
course provided me with extensive knowledge and experience in lab techniques such as gram
staining, plate count, viable count, colony count, preparation of cultures and media, nutritional
needs for bacteria, and aseptic techniques. Also during my time, I was enrolled in a
biotechnology course that spent the semester focusing on Alzheimer’s research on bacteria. This
course was beneficial in teaching me important biotechnology lab techniques such as DNA
extraction, separation based on size and charge utilizing electrophoresis, amplifying DNA
utilizing Polymerase Chain Reaction, DNA staining, and plasmid DNA isolation.
I am detail-oriented and work well in collaboration with my peers. I have worked as an
administrative assistant for a year and feel that this position has taught me how to multitask, pay
attention to detail and improve my writing and communication skills. In my previous experience
I have become proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Tiamo Metrohm titrator
software, and Minitab.
In the spring of 2015 I worked on a research project with one of my professors. The project
involved matrix isolation to trap intermediates from reactions and analysis of their chemical
makeup through mass spectroscopy. This experience helped to develop my lab techniques and
exposed me to the Gaussian 09 software for optimization of chemicals.

2. I am very interested in learning more in my field, and the opportunities available. I believe that I
would be an asset to any program.