Isabella Vessio

Experience

• 

  City of Richmond Hill

  Mar 2019 - Mar 2020

  The teaching of proper swimming techniques to children enrolled in Preschool 1-Swimmer 6 and lifesaving in advanced swimming levels (Rookie, Ranger, Star Patrol). Demonstration and explanation of swimming strokes, exhibiting proper technique and positioning in the water. Track and evaluate students' progress and provision of constructive feedback for skills requiring improvement. Development of a lesson plan and teaching of swimming and lifesaving skills through games, drills and training. Assessment of children's skills to determine progression to advanced levels. Show less

  • Swim Instructor

    Mar 2019 - Mar 2020

  • Lifeguard

    Mar 2019 - Mar 2020
• 

  University of Toronto Mississauga

  Sept 2021 - Sept 2022

  Supervisors: Dr. Marc Johnson, Ph.D. & Dr. Aude Caizergues, Ph.D.A research project was conducted in association with the Global Urban Evolution Project (GLUE). The evolution of an antiherbivore defence trait (i.e. the production of hydrogen cyanide (HCN)) in Trifolium ripens (white clover) throughout urban and rural areas, was examined to answer two questions: (1) Is parallel evolution caused globally by urbanization? (2) What is the role of herbivores in driving plants' adaption to urban environments? Samples of Trifolium repens leaves from 121 populations along three 50 km urban-rural transects in Toronto, Canada, were collected, and measurements of urbanization (e.g., distance from the city centre) and herbivory (e.g., hole, notch, & mining) were recorded. Each leaf was screened for the presence of the HCN-genotype using Feigl–Anger colorimetric assays. Data analysis was conducted using R and involved running ANOVA and linear mixed models to generate and interpret results from acquired data. Findings were presented at the SURF 2022 Conference & Ontario Biology Day 2023.Additional Roles: - Maintaining and organizing the equipment in the wet-lab environment - Assisting post-doctoral fellows and graduate students with their research projects - Data collection of both plant and animal specimens (i. e. Trifolium repens (white clover), snails, & slugs)- Acquired training for assessing the three degrees of herbivory damage (notch, hole, & mining)- Conduction of herbivory assessments for over 1500 white clover specimens - Use of numerous laboratory equipment including FV/FM meter & incubator- Conduction of a multi-day experimental protocol to make Feigl-Anger assay papers using chemistry techniques Show less Supervisors: Dr. Marc Johnson, Ph.D. & Dr. Alessandro Filazzola, Ph.D.- Conduction of a systematic review utilizing documents from numerous scientific databases - Development of validation criteria to assess the accuracy of data collection by community scientists (volunteers, non-scientific personnel) - Critical literacy of scientific reports, articles, experiments, reviews and methods - Improved proficiency in scientific writing by writing a manuscript structured for submission to an academic journal - Engaged in weekly lab meetings involving literary analysis, constructive feedback for manuscripts or presentations and seminars - Completion of an oral presentation supplemented with visual aid on research findings - Data analysis establishing trends and reporting findings using R Show less

  • Laboratory Researcher - Global Urban Evolution Project

    May 2022 - Sept 2022

  • Laboratory Researcher - EvoEco Lab

    Sept 2021 - Apr 2022
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  Sunnybrook

  Sept 2023 - now

  Genetic Counselling Student Intern

  Internship with the Cancer Genetics & High-Risk Program at the Odette Cancer Centre. Project:A month long project was conducted on the association between mutations in the Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM) gene and pancreatic cancer. Roles:- Shadowed genetic counsellors during patient appointments conducted both on the telephone and via zoom - Comprehensive use of a pedigree and risk modelling genetic software known as Progeny Genetics - Beautification of patient pedigrees involving data entry of genetic family history, cancer screening and diagnoses, and genetic testing results- Patient communication via phone/email to collect consent & personal medical history Presented results of the ATM project, in addition to my role within the internship at the University of Toronto Mississauga BIO400 Internship Presentation event and was selected as one of two best presentations. Show less