Veronika Dubniakova is an experienced chemist specializing in organic synthesis, purification, and analytical instrumentation. She has worked extensively with bioconjugation and protein/nucleic acid chemistry. Her research focuses on peptide modification and analysis using mass spectrometry. She is completing her Master's degree at the University of Southern Mississippi, where she has also worked as a teaching assistant.

1. VERONIKA DUBNIAKOVA
PO BOX #4206 • HATTIESBURG, MS 39406 • (662) 436-1185 • VERONIKA.CHEMIST@GMAIL.COM
HIGHLIGHTS __________________________________________________________
 Experienced with general organic synthesis and purification.
 Skilled at using a wide range of analytical instruments (MS, NMR, IR, GC, UV…)
 Adept at working with bioconjugation (modification of biopolymers with synthetic organic molecules)
 Possess experience in protein and nucleic acid chemistry/mass spectrometry.
 Experience in working alone in a self-driven environment as well as working as a team member.
 Troubleshooting and problem solving skills.
 Fluent in English, French, and Russian.
EDUCATION ___________________________________________________________
Master of Science in Chemistry Anticipated May 2012
The University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MS
 Advisor: Dr. Douglas S. Masterson
 Research Objectives: Peptides modification with organic peroxyesters and further analysis of modified peptides
breakdown patterns by means of ESI CID.
Specialist Degree in Chemistry May 2010
Russian University of Chemical Technology of D.I. Mendeleyev Moscow, Russia
 Advisor: Dr. Vladimir A. Korshun
 Research Objectives: Synthesis of branching blocks for self-assembly of DNA-nanostructures via conjugation of
acetylene modified DNA with organic polyazides.
EXPERIENCE ________________ ____________________________________________
Research Assistant May 2011-Present
The University of Southern Mississippi Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Hattiesburg, MS
 Undertaking a project to facilitate peptide sequence determination using ESI CID spectra by introducing organic
peroxyester modification.
 Personally optimize the conditions for peptides modification with organic peroxyesters.
 Create tune files for modified peptides
 Conduct mass spectrometry analysis and analyze the resulting fragmentation spectra.
 Create weekly reports and present findings to supervisors and other researchers.
 Independently plan future experiments based on obtained results.
Teaching Assistant September 2010-May 2011
The University of Southern Mississippi Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Hattiesburg, MS
 Taught Organic Chemistry 1st and 2nd semester labs.
 Created/presented lectures and answered questions to ensure student understanding of laboratory experiments.
 Ensured lab safety by instructing students on proper safety procedures and being vigilant while monitoring
students.
 Promptly graded students’ lab reports and quizzes.
 Participated in weekly Teaching Assistant meetings to provide feedback on methods used and communicate
students’ progress.
 Accepted constructive feedback from superiors to learn how to improve teaching methods.
Research Assistant January 2006-July 2010
Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences
Moscow, Russia
Antiviral Nucleotide synthesis Group Project
 Synthesized and characterized 5-iodouridine as a precursor for antiviral nucleosides synthesis.
 Reported to group members and adjusted work based on group goals and findings.

2. VERONIKA DUBNIAKOVA
PO BOX #4206 • HATTIESBURG, MS 39406 • (662) 436-1185 • VERONIKA.CHEMIST@GMAIL.COM
DNA charge transfer project
 Synthesized and characterized a nucleoside modified with organic electron withdrawing substituent.
 Purified the oligonucleotides with incorporated modified nucleoside using gel electrophoresis.
 Annealed the modified oligonucleotides and conducted charge transfer experiments.
DNA-nanotechnology project.
 Synthesized and characterized a set of 4 organic azides with different lengths and differing amounts of branches
ending with aside groups.
 Purified oligonucleotides using gel electrophoresis and HPLC.
 Conjugated oligonucleotides modified with acetylene group in 3’ or 5’ position with branched organic azides by
the means of “Click chemistry”.
 Studied annealing of oligonucleotide conjugates by the means of non-denaturing gel electrophoresis.
 Made monthly reports and took part in paper writing and gave a conference presentation of the obtained results.
Research Internship February 2010 -May 2010
The University of Southern Mississippi Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Hattiesburg, MS
 Studied the Meyer Schuster rearrangement applied to unnatural amino acid synthesis.
 Synthesized and purified the precursors of 2 amino acids.
 Characterized each intermediate compound by 1 H NMR and 13C NMR.
 Proved the possibility of the Meyer Schuster on 2 of the amino acids precursors. Separated the main products
and characterized them by NMR and MS.
Research Internship July 2009-October 2009
The University of Southern Mississippi Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Hattiesburg, MS
 Worked on an unnatural amino acid synthetic project
 Synthesized, purified, and characterized the unnatural Ile precursor.
 Worked on NMR essay for enantioslective PLE hydrolysis of malonate esters in different solvent systems
Research Internship January 2008-March 2008
University of Science and Technology CNRS
Lille, France
 Took part in a diabetes diagnostic project.
 Studied the glycation conditions for a set of model peptides.
 Optimized the conditions for MALDI-TOF analysis of glycated peptides and interpreted the obtained spectra.
AFFILIATIONS_______________________________________________________________________________
Current member of American Chemical Society , Institute of Food Technologists and
American Women in Science
OTHER SKILLS_______________________________________________________________________________
Languages :
Fluent in French, English, and Russian.
Completed complementary course in translation in area of professional communications in Russian and
English with a minor in French.
Techniques:
NMR ; HPLC; Chromatography (size exclusion, affinity, thin layer, preparative) ; ESI CID; MALDI
TOF; IR; GC; UV; PCR, gel electrophoresis.
Software:
Chem Draw; MestreNova; LXQ Tune; Xcalibur; EndNote.
List of publications, presentations, and references available upon request