Monica Awelinga
Ga Central Municipal
Summary
Recent graduate with excellent research, technical, and problem-solving skills. Detail-oriented and able to learn new concepts quickly. I am very passionate about research, specifically in the areas of cancer, molecular biology, biochemistry, vaccine development, and biomanufacturing. I am a hard worker with excellent communication skills. I am eager to learn and grow in my career, gain knowledge, and expand my skills. My short-term goal is to pursue a PhD in Biomedical Science with a focus in Cancer Biology. My long-term goal is to become a professor and an independent researcher in Cancer biology and Biomedical sciences.
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Teaching and Research Assistant
KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (DEPARTMENT OF BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY)
KUMASI
11.2023 - Current
- Assisted teachers with lesson planning, coursework creation, and developing innovative teaching materials.
- Mentored and supervised undergraduate students in their dissertations.
- Assisted professors in conducting research projects, contributing to published articles, and making conference presentations.
- Led discussion sections, tutorials, or laboratory sections.
- Contributed to departmental meetings and initiatives aimed at evaluating program effectiveness and identifying areas for growth.
- I taught small groups of students focused on specific parts of the coursework.
- Built and maintained professional relationships with students and faculty members.
- Helped students develop diligent study habits and strategies to achieve successful outcomes.
- Prepared letters of recommendation for students looking to obtain internships and cooperative opportunities.
- Monitored student progress to identify weaknesses and provide recommendations for improvement.
- Maintained accurate records of student grades and attendance.
- Provided support to other instructors within the department.
- Coordinated field trips for educational purposes.
- Supported faculty members with administrative tasks, such as grading assignments, proctoring exams, and maintaining attendance records.
Medical Laboratory Scientist Intern
37 MILITARY HOSPITAL
Accra
11.2022 - 01.2023
- Identified and traced quality control issues impacting laboratory results.
- Performed laboratory tests, such as urinalysis and blood cell counts, to detect abnormalities in patient samples.
- Collect blood and tissue samples with a focus on accuracy and adherence to aseptic techniques.
- Used correct PPE when handling samples to avoid infections.
- Assisted in locating stored specimens for further testing and analysis.
- Loaded blood cultures on laboratory computer with sufficient information to allow identification of specimen number and patient information.
- Maintained equipment to achieve optimum instrument performance.
- Packaged materials or samples, following directions, for delivery to other sites or hospitals.
- Recorded fridge temperatures to maintain compliance with standard operating procedures.
- Reported any apparent instrument malfunction to supervisor for further action.
- Assisted in the training of new interns and national service personnel, sharing knowledge and expertise for their professional growth.
- Developed strong relationships with other departments within the organization, fostering a sense of teamwork across disciplines.
- Followed method or standard instructions and adhered to internal SOPs to eliminate repeat testing, deviations, and investigations.
- Prepared reagents and solutions, calibrated pipettes, and related activities to support experiments.
- Specialized in conducting blood film for malaria parasite tests, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency tests, and the sickling test with accuracy and precision.
- Prepared specimens for testing by centrifuging, performing dilutions, and using other techniques.
- Evaluated accuracy of test results by comparing them to established standards or previous results from the same patient.
- Performed quality assurance checks on instruments used for testing purposes.
- Disposed hazardous materials according to safety regulations.
- Maintained cleanliness in the laboratory environment by cleaning surfaces, sterilizing equipment, and disposing waste properly.
- Ordered reagents necessary for daily operations.
Student Research Intern
FOOD AND DRUGS AUTHORITY
Accra
10.2021 - 12.2021
- Prepared reagents and solutions, calibrated pipettes, and performed related activities to support experiments.
- Operation of the HPLC, pH meter, and double-beam spectrophotometer.
- I reported back to my supervisor to receive day-to-day tasks and responsibilities.
- Assisted with incident investigations involving potential breaches in food safety protocols, supporting corrective action implementation as needed.
- Followed SOP's on the various tests conducted in the food physicochemical lab. Tests like the identification of Sudan dye, the identification of erythrosine, the identification of the presence of lead in cereals, and the determination of pH and total ash content.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Biochemistry And Molecular Biology
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science And Technology
Kumasi, Ghana11-2023
Skills
- Lecture planning
- Classroom management
- Course material preparation
- Research assistance
- Proofreading and editing
- Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
- Proficient in Zotero and Mendeley
- Literature review
- Analytical biochemistry and general biochemistry knowledge
- RNA-seq data analysis
- Medical record keeping
- Machine operation proficiency (HPLC, spectrophotometer, pH meter)
- Phytochemical extraction
- Thin Layer Chromatography
- Bioinformatics tools
- Bioinformatics data analysis
RESEARCH INTEREST
- Immunotherapy
Immunotherapies are treatments that harness the immune system to fight cancer. This includes strategies like immune checkpoint inhibitors, CAR-T cell therapy, and cancer vaccines.
- Tumor Antigens and Cancer Vaccines
I want to understand how tumor cells express abnormal proteins (tumor antigens) that can be recognized by the immune system, offering targets for therapeutic interventions like cancer vaccines. - Cancer and Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS):
My research interests lie at the intersection of cancer biology and cutting-edge technology, particularly in the development of Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) for cancer research and therapeutics. I am intrigued by the potential of MEMS to revolutionize cancer diagnostics, drug delivery, and personalized medicine.
Certification
- Introduction to Cancer biology certification
- Introduction to Bioinformatics
Languages
English
First Language
Research Experiences 1
Research Assistant, [Antibacterial effect of Tridax procumbens]
[KNUST], [Kumasi-Ghana]
May 2024 – August 2024
Mentor: Prof. Felix Charles Mills-Robertson
Description: This research project investigated the antibacterial activity by evaluating the plant’s effectiveness against various bacterial strains, and identifying bioactive compounds that contribute to its antibacterial properties
Duties: I assisted students by reviewing their literature summaries on Tridax procumbens guiding them on how to gather relevant research articles, organize information, and critically analyze existing studies on the plant’s antibacterial effects. I provided feedback to improve the clarity, accuracy, and relevance of their written work.
I also supported students in designing and executing experiments, including preparation of plant extracts and performing antibacterial assays.
RESEARCH EXPERIENCES 2
Research Assistant, [Antidiabetic potential of Alchornea cordifolia]
[KNUST], [Kumasi-Ghana]
May 2024 – August 2024
Mentor: Prof. Felix Charles Mills-Robertson
Description: The objective of this study was to investigate the potential antidiabetic properties of Alchornea cordifolia, by extracting bioactive compounds from Alchornea cordifolia and testing their effects on animal models induced with Type 2 diabetes. The study focused on assessing blood glucose levels and biochemical parameters related to diabetes to determine the plant's efficacy as a natural treatment for managing diabetes.
Duties: I reviewed and provided feedback on their written summaries of existing studies on Alchornea cordifolia and its medicinal applications. This included assisting them in identifying credible sources, synthesizing information, and highlighting the relevance of the plant's antidiabetic potential.
I also helped students understand the experimental design, including the extraction and isolation of bioactive compounds, as well as methodologies for testing these compounds on diabetic animal models.
I also assisted students in their acquisition of the rat models
RESEARCH EXPERIENCES 3
Research Assistant, [In Vitro Assessment of Lemongrass Extracts on candida albicans]
[KNUST], [Kumasi-Ghana]
May 2024 – August 2024
Mentor: Prof. Felix Charles Mills-Robertson
Description: The research aimed to evaluate the antifungal properties of lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) extract against Candida albicans, a common fungal pathogen responsible for various infections in humans.The study involved the preparation of methanolic extracts of lemon grass and testing its inhibitory activity against Candida albicans using in vitro assays. Different concentrations of the extract were prepared to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the effect on fungal growth. The findings indicated that lemongrass extract exhibited significant antifungal activity, with potential applications as a natural alternative for antifungal treatments.
Duties: I assisted students in structuring their research reports, ensuring clarity and coherence, and guiding them on scientific writing standards.
I supported students in creating effective poster presentations that highlighted their research findings. This involved helping them select the most relevant data, organize information visually, and create clear and concise posters. I provided guidance on how to communicate their research objectives, methodologies, and emphasizing the importance of engaging visuals and logical flow
RESEARCH EXPERIENCES 4
Research Assistant, [Evaluating the Antibacterial properties of Alstonei boonei: Unraveling its traditional uses, chemical components and potential benefits in West african herbal medicine with emphasis on Ghana]
[KNUST], [Kumasi-Ghana]
May 2024 – August 2024
Mentor: Prof. Felix Charles Mills-Robertson
Description: This research explored the antibacterial potential of Alstonia boonei and its chemical components, assessing its efficacy against various bacterial strains to validate its traditional uses. By isolating and testing active compounds, the research aimed to provide a scientific basis for the plant’s application in treating bacterial infections and promote its use as a natural alternative to conventional antibiotics.
Duties: I assisted students in organizing their dissertations, guiding them on how to present their introduction, methods, and results sections effectively, and ensuring thorough literature review and discussion of the significance of their findings.
RESEARCH EXPERIENCES 5
Research Assistant, [Antibacterial activities of Hoslundia opposita ]
[KNUST], [Kumasi-Ghana]
May 2024 – August 2024
Mentor: Prof. Felix Charles Mills-Robertson
Description: This study investigated the antibacterial properties of Hoslundia opposita. The research aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of its bioactive compounds against strains of pathogenic microorganisms, with a focus on understanding its potential as a natural antibacterial agent.
Duties: Reviewing students' dissertations for clarity, coherence, and adherence to scientific writing standards.
- Providing feedback on the structure of their work, particularly on organizing sections such as the introduction, literature review, methodology, and discussion.
- Assisting students in accurately interpreting and presenting their research findings, and ensuring a thorough discussion of how the results align with the plant’s traditional medicinal uses
RESEARCH EXPERIENCES 6
Research Assistant, [Effects of High-Energy Drinks and Caffeine Consumption on Long-Journey Drivers Around Kumasi ]
[KNUST], [Kumasi-Ghana]
April 2024 – May 2024
Mentor: Prof. Caleb Firempong
Description: This research focused on understanding the impact of high-energy drinks and caffeine on drivers undertaking long journeys around the Kumasi area. The study aimed to assess how these stimulants affect drivers’ alertness, reaction times, and overall driving performance, as well as any potential side effects associated with prolonged consumption. The findings aimed to contribute to road safety awareness, particularly regarding the use of stimulants for long-distance driving.
Duties: Distributing questionnaires to drivers at various locations to gather data on their energy drink and caffeine consumption habits.
- Ensuring participants understood the questions and assisting them in completing the questionnaires as needed.
- Collecting and organizing responses, which were essential for analyzing trends in caffeine and energy drink use among long-journey drivers.
RESEARCH EXPERIENCES 7
Lead Student Researcher, [Assessing the Antidiabetic potential on Annona muricata on type 2 induced diabetes rats ]
[KNUST], [Kumasi-Ghana]
May 2023 – August 2023
Mentor: Prof. Felix Charles Mills-Robertson
Description: By exploring this plant-based derivative, we discovered compounds with antidiabetic properties, expanding the arsenal of safe and less expensive treatments available for type 2 diabetes , paving the way for the stimulation of research and innovation.
Duties: As project lead, I performed all sample collection, developing the experimental protocols, including the induction of type 2 diabetes in rats, dosage administration, and duration of the treatment.
Compiling the research findings into comprehensive reports and preparing presentations,
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Teaching and Research Assistant
KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (DEPARTMENT OF BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY)
11.2023 - Current
Medical Laboratory Scientist Intern
37 MILITARY HOSPITAL
11.2022 - 01.2023
Student Research Intern
FOOD AND DRUGS AUTHORITY
10.2021 - 12.2021
- Introduction to Cancer biology certification
- Introduction to Bioinformatics
Bachelor of Science - Biochemistry And Molecular Biology
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science And Technology
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