Shaquanna M. Young is an experienced research assistant with over 5 years in various laboratory settings, skilled in microbiology, biochemistry, and immunology. Her extensive research experience includes characterizing PBMCs, developing yeast strains, and studying natural killer cell interactions at the University of Virginia and Kennesaw State University. She holds a Master of Science in Integrative Biology and has presented her findings at multiple scientific conferences.

1. Shaquanna M. Young
Milledgeville, Georgia 31061 | Phone: (434) 270-5932
Email: syoung9315@gmail.com
Summary
Experienced research assistant with 5+ years of diverse laboratory experience which includes
microbiology, biochemistry, cell biology, genetic, and immunology labs. Have experience in
working with advance technology and equipment. Have great communication skills (written,
oral, presentation).
Work Experience
07/2018 – 06/2019 Graduate Research Assistant – University of Virginia
Rotation #1: Characterize PBMCs using flow cytometry
- Processed PBMCs from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid from unknown patients and
human PBMCs from blood
- Developed a fluorochrome panel to study markers expressed by PBMCs from
bronchioalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and PBMCs isolated from blood
- Used flow cytometer to analyze expression PBMC markers
- Maintained documentation of processed cells and non-sensitive information from
anonymous patients
Rotation #2: Develop yeast strains to study interactions between transcription factors
and chromatin
- Cultured Saccharomyces cerevisiae (budding yeast) cells
- Develop primers needed to produce DNA need for the development of particular yeast
strains
- Used PCR thermocycler to develop yeast strains that express a transcription factor of
interest
- Transformed yeast cells and verified production of yeast strain via immunostaining
- Maintained documentation of each experiment and gave weekly presentation of my
progress
Rotation #3: Study interactions between natural killer cell receptors and MHC Class I
ligands
- Cultured Jurkat 7 reporter cells (modified human T lymphocyte cells) that express
receptors Ly49 or G2 (natural killer cell receptors)
- Used flow cytometer to verify expression of receptors on reporter cells

2. - Used a Reporter Cell Assay to study interactions between natural killer cell receptors
and MHC Class I ligands
08/2016 – 05/2018 Graduate Research Assistant – Kennesaw State University
- Cultured and transformed bacteria cells (Escherichia coli)
- Purified recombinant proteins from Escherichia coli (E. coli) cells via gravity
chromatography
- Verified purification of proteins by Coomassie staining and western blotting techniques
- Identified protein-protein interactions via biolayer interferometry
- Cultured baby hamster kidney cells and cervical cancer cells
- Used confocal microscopy to verify a cell-penetrating peptide-adaptor system
successfully delivered proteins into human and mammalian cells
- Used biolayer interferometry to analyze protein-protein interactions
- Used GraphPad Prism to analyze and interpret data
- Made solutions for cultures, purification experiments, and protein delivery experiments
- Maintained documentation of all experiments and completed a thesis
05/2016 – 07/2016 Cashier – Kroger
- Performed basic mathematic functions and operated cash registers, rung up purchases
- Met and greeted customers
- Handled returns
- Answered questions about products, policies, and services
- Oriented new-hires on Kroger policy, protocol, and procedure
06/2012 – 12/2015 Undergraduate Research Assistant – MBRS-RISE
- Cultured and treated human prostate cancer cells
- Made solutions for culturing and treating prostate cancer cells
- Used a MTT Cell Proliferation Assay to test for cell viability
- Used Microsoft Excel to analyze data collected from the MTT assay
- Gave numerous presentations on research project and wrote a comprehensive report of
the project
Education
University of Virginia – Charlottesville, Virginia 07/2018 – 06/2019
Courses: Microbiology Colloquium

3. Kennesaw State University – Kennesaw, Georgia 08/2016 – 05/2018
Master of Science in Integrative Biology
Courses: Integrative Biology, Molecular Genetics, Cell Signaling, Bioinformatics
Thesis: Novel use of a cell-penetrating peptide-adaptor system to deliver Type III
Secretion Effector Proteins and Characterization of Conserved Regions of Drosophila
akirin
Courses: Integrative Biology, Molecular Genetics, Bioinformatics
Albany State University – Albany, Georgia 08/2011 – 12/2015
Bachelor of Science in Biology
Courses: Biology I and II, Chemistry I and II, Biochemistry, Genetics, Microbiology,
Mycology
Skills
- Laboratory Techniques
o Basic Laboratory Techniques: pipetting, solution preparation, etc
o Protein expression and purification
o Gel electrophoresis
o Immunoblotting
o Human cell culture
o Yeast culture
o Reporter Cell Assay
o MTT Cell Proliferation Assay
o Cell separation (density gradient centrifugation)
o Microbiology Techniques: culturing and aseptic techniques, enumerating,
identification of pathogen
- Mechanical/Instrumentation Skills
o Microscopy: light, confocal (Zeiss LSM 710)
o Biolayer interferometry (ForteBio)
o High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
o Gravity chromatography
o Thermocycler – polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
o Spectral Flow Cytometry

4. - Computer Skills
o Microsoft – Excel, Word, Publisher, Powerpoint
o GraphPad Prism software – graphing and data analysis
o Bioinformatic software tools: BLAST
o FCS Express software – spectral flow analysis
o FlowJo software – spectral flow analysis
- Communication Skills
o Gave numerous poster presentations at national and regional science
conferences
o Given oral presentations to discuss my research project(s) and discuss recently
published journal articles
o Reading and interpreting journal articles
Poster Presentations
Young, S.M., Dickson, R.L. and McMurry, J.L. (2018) “Novel Use of Cell-Penetrating Peptide-
Adaptor System to Investigate Activity of Type III Secretion Effector Proteins in Mammalian
Cells,” American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2018 Annual Meeting, San
Diego, CA (presenting author).
Young, S.M., Dickson, R.L. and McMurry, J.L. (2017) “Use of a novel cell-penetrating peptide-
adaptor system to deliver Type III Secretion effector proteins to cancer cells,” GABio
Innovation Summit, Marietta, GA (presenting author).
Young, S.M., Palermino-Rowland, K., McMurry, J.L. (2017) “Characterization of conserved
regions of Drosophila Akirin: Development of tools to inhibit chromatin remodeling,” Emory
STEM Research and Career Symposium, Atlanta, GA (presenting author).
Young, S.M., Palermino-Rowland, K., McMurry, J.L. (2017) “Characterization of conserved
regions of Drosophila Akirin: Development of tools to inhibit chromatin remodeling,”
Society for Developmental Biology – 2017 Southeast Regional Meeting, Kennesaw, GA
(presenting author).
Young, S.M., Martin, P.M., Powell, F.L. (2015) “Profiling of inflammatory and stress related
proteins in retinal pigmented epithelium of Gpr109a-/- mice,” STAR Program Symposium,
Augusta, GA (presenting author).

5. Young, S.M., Merchant, K. (2015) “Investigating the Mechanism of Action of Phytochemicals in
Prostate Cancer Cells,” Emory STEM Research and Career Symposium, Atlanta, GA
(presenting author).
Young, S.M., Merchant, K. (2014) “Investigating the Mechanism of Action of Phytochemicals in
Prostate Cancer Cells,” Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students
(ABCRMS), San Antonio, TX (presenting author).
Young, S.M., Merchant, K. (2014) “Investigating the Mechanism of Action of Phytochemicals in
Prostate Cancer Cells,” Albany State University Regional Undergraduate Research
Symposium, Albany, GA (presenting author).
Young, S.M., Merchant, K. (2014) “Phyto-therapeutic Effects of Genistein and EGCG on Prostate
Cancer Cells,” Emory University-Laney Graduate School STEM Research and Career
Symposium, Atlanta, GA (presenting author).
Young, S.M., Merchant, K. (2013) “Investigating the Mechanism of Action of Phytochemicals in
Prostate Cancer Cells,” Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students
(ABRCMS), Nashville, TN (presenting author).
Young, S.M., Merchant, K. (2013) “Investigating the Mechanism of Action of Phytochemicals in
Prostate Cancer Cells,” Albany State University Regional Undergraduate Research
Symposium, Albany, GA (presenting author).
Young, S.M., Merchant, K. (2013) “Investigating the Mechanism of Action of Phytochemicals in
Prostate Cancer Cells,” Albany State University Health Disparities Conference, Albany, GA
(presenting author).
Clubs/Organizations
08/2016 – 05/2018 KSU Graduate Student Association

6. 02/2014 – 12/2015 Florida-Georgia Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation
(FGLSAMP)
02/2014 – 05/2015 Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society – Treasurer
09/2013 – 12/2015 Bacchus & Gamma Peer Educator
09/2012 – 05/2015 Minority Biomedical Research Support – Research Initiative for
Scientific Enhancement (MBRS-RISE)
Honors/Awards
Georgia HOPE Scholarship Recipient 08/2011 – 12/2015
MBRS-RISE Recipient 08/2012 – 12/2015
Albany State University Honors Day Convocation 03/2014
- Average of 3.5+
Albany State University Honors Day Convocation 03/2013
- Highest Ranking Student
Albany State University Honors Day Convocation 03/2012
- Freshman Average of 3.5+