VALERIE VIRTA
EDUCATION:
B.S. (Molecular Biology) University of Texas at Austin, 1999
B.S. (Mathematics) University of Texas at Austin, 1999
9 hours of graduate-level classes (non-degree-seeking)
Currently a Graduate Student at the University of Washigton
EXPERIENCE
I am in Mark Cooper's lab in the Biology Department at the University of Washington, and I'm studying the evolution of morphogenetic domains during early development in fish.
University of Texas at Austin: Research Assisting Dr. Shelley Payne
Full-time job using molecular biology techniques to study putative iron-transport genes in the
pathogenic bacteria Vibrio cholerae
University of Texas at Austin: Research Assisting Dr. Theresa O’Halloran Jan 2001-Nov 2002
Full-time job using biochemical techniques to collect data on clathrin function in membrane trafficking
Train and help graduate students with lab techniques such as Western blotting
Responsible for purchasing materials and equipment for a 20-person lab
Oversee common equipment and act as liaison for administrative and maintenance personnel
University of Texas at Austin: Teaching Assistant Jan 2000-May 2000
Taught an introductory cellular and molecular biology lab
Supervised and evaluated the safe and accurate performance of laboratory techniques
University of Texas at Austin: Research Assistant June 1993-May 2000
Worked in a series of labs which studied various topics such as lizard behavior, wound-healing in blood
vessels, frog development, polarized-light microscopy, DNA topology, and virulence evolution
Documented protocols, and transcribed results thoroughly for future reference
Worked in a team environment, both independently and with others
Volunteered, but sometimes worked on a paid, part-time basis (including Work Study and an NSF
Research Experience for Undergraduates)
California Institute of Technology: Research Assistant July 1995-August 1995
Trained a new graduate student in skills such as fluorescence microscopy, dissection, and hydrogel
polymerization
Performed laboratory procedures as needed to study the effect of hydrogel application on wound
healing in blood vessels
PUBLICATIONS / ABSTRACTS:
Wallingford JB, Seufert DW, Virta VC and Vize PD. 1997. p53 activity is essential for normal development in Xenopus. Current Biology. 7:747-757
EMAIL ADDRESS: virta@u.washington.edu
