Christopher Gumienny is a recent graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago with a Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences and a 3.75 GPA. His honors thesis analyzed the impact of garlic mustard on soil fungal communities using next-generation sequencing. As a research assistant, he studied invasive plants' effects on soil food webs and isolated/analyzed soil fungi and mycorrhizae. He also assisted with a systematic review on chronic anal fissures. His technical skills include microscopy, spectroscopy, and molecular biology techniques. He has volunteered with Project ESTEEM and as a TRIO Student Ambassador.

1. Christopher Gumienny
Phone: (773) 920-8132 5055 S. Knox, Chicago, IL 60632 Email: chris.gumienny@gmail.com
EDUCATION
University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC),Chicago,IL, May 2016
Bachelors of Science, Biological Sciences
GPA: 3.75/4.00
HONORS THESIS: Ananalysis of how garlic mustard grass affectsthe structure of the soil fungal community using
next-generation sequencing techniques, and changes to soil hyphae biomass that it causes.
Advisor: David H. Wise
RESEARCH ANDPROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
ResearchAssistant, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, Department of Biological Sciences
Advisors: David H. Wise & Matthew McCary,May 2015-Present
 Evaluated the impacts of invasive alien plants on soil foodwebs in woodlandecosystems
 Isolated soil fungal DNA, performed PCR, and analyzed sequencing data
 Extracted mycorrhizalfungi from soil using a soil washing technique
 Learned insect sampling and identification using a stereoscopic microscopes
 Managed data and performed basic statistical analyses
ResearchAssistant, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, Department of Public Health
Advisors: Richard Nelson, May 2015-Present
 Assisted in conducting systematic review regarding chronic anal fissures
 Helped compile research articles on relevant research regarding anal fissures
 Learned general approach for performing research systematic reviewsand meta-analyses
Teaching Assistant, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, Honors College
Honors 101, Fall 2013
 Coordinated and assisted the teaching of a course designed for Honors College freshmen at UIC
 Communicated with and led the discussion for several class periods throughout the semester
 Counseled students to allow for a comfortabletransition to college life at UIC
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
Office Aide, UIC Office of Testing Services, Chicago, IL
Spring 2013-Present
 Assist walk-in students with questions related to officeservices
 Schedule exam appointment times withclients via phone or in-person
 Performbasic maintenance duties and proctoring services around the office
LABORATORY ANDTECHNICAL SKILLS
Lab and field experience:
General arthropod extraction and identification
Soil fungal extraction and identification (Morphological and DNA molecular extraction techniques)
Microscopy (Compound Light and Stereoscopic), Infrared Spectroscopy
Spectrophotometer, Centrifuge, Electrophoresis, Gram Staining, Streak Culturing
Computer and statistical software:
R Programming for statistical computing
MicrosoftOfficeincluding Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
VOLUNTEER ANDEXTRA-CURRICULARACTIVIES
January 2014-Present ProjectESTEEM Volunteer, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL
January 2013-Present TRIOStudent Ambassador, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL