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David O'Donnell

David O'Donnell

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Followers of David O'Donnell559 followers
location of David O'DonnellDavis, California, United States

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  • Timeline

  • About me

    Watermelon and Cucurbita Pre-breeder at Limagrain

  • Education

    • University of Massachusetts Amherst

      2007 - 2011
      Bachelor of Science (BS) Biology Summa cum laude

      Activities and Societies: Commonwealth Honors College, UMass Junior Fellows Program (2010-2011), Phi Beta Kappa, HHMI Summer Research Internship (2010), Golden Key International Honour Society, Biological Sciences Student Association

    • University of California, Davis

      2011 - 2017
      Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Genetics and Genomics

      Activities and Societies: Phi Beta Kappa, Intramural Basketball

    • Universidad San Francisco de Quito

      2010 - 2010
      International Exchange Evolution, Ecology and Conservation Biology 4.0

      Activities and Societies: Galapápagos Academic Institute for the Arts and Sciences Studied the diverse landscapes, species and ecosystems of the Ecuadorian mainland (Amazon rainforest, Mindo cloudforest, Cotopaxi National Park) and the Galápagos archipelago. Open water diving experience at Kicker Rock, Pedrera and Tijeretas of San Cristóbal within the Galápagos Marine Reserve.

  • Experience

    • University of Massachusetts Amherst

      Feb 2009 - May 2011
      Undergraduate Research Assistant

      Performed RNA interference studies to identify novel genes with regulatory roles in tip growth in Physcomitrella patens. Acquired skills include DNA construct design, routine plant transformation and fluorescence microscopy imaging/analysis.

    • University of California, Davis

      Jan 2013 - Jun 2015
      Teaching Assistant, Plant Biotechnology

      Instructed/managed students in laboratory sessions. Taught advanced techniques in genetic analysis at organismal, cellular and molecular levels, including analysis of transgenic plants, DNA/RNA/protein extraction methods, RNA expression profiling, and protein quantification assays. Delivered tutorials in utilization of online databases.

    • University of California, Davis

      Mar 2016 - Mar 2017

      Studied the effects of host-microbe interactions on nutrient acquisition, plant growth and development in Mesoamerican landraces of maize. Designed/executed maize field and greenhouse trials. Coordinated teams of researchers and field staff for extensive phenotype characterization. Identified genetic loci for aerial root growth and mucilage secretion via association and QTL mapping. Conducted visits to farmer fields in Oaxaca, MX for collection of germplasm and plant tissues/exudates. Taught relevant concepts in modern plant biotechnology. Lecture topics include gene families & degenerate primer design, gene expression technologies (transcriptomic/ proteomic), next generation sequencing, and utilization of online databases/ resources.

      • Graduate Student Researcher

        Sept 2011 - Mar 2017

      • Associate Instructor, Plant Biotechnology (BIT161B)

        Mar 2016 - Jun 2016

    • East-West Seed

      Mar 2017 - Dec 2017
      Cucurbit Pre-breeding Intern

      Designed melon greenhouse trials, executed phenotype characterization, and identified genetic loci conferring disease resistance via QTL mapping.

    • LIMAGRAIN

      May 2018 - now

      Watermelon and Cucurbita germplasm characterization and population development for traits of interest to be incorporated into Limagrain breeding programs. Perform watermelon germplasm characterization and population development for traits of interest to be incorporated into Limagrain breeding programs.

      • Watermelon and Cucurbita Pre-breeder

        Sept 2023 - now

      • Watermelon Pre-breeder

        May 2018 - now

  • Licenses & Certifications

    • PADI Open Water Diver

      PADI
      Mar 2010

  • Honors & Awards

    • Awarded to David O'Donnell
      East-West Seed Grand Prize Internship East-West Seed March 1, 2017 Selected from applicant pool of UC Davis graduate and undergraduate students to conduct plant breeding internship with East-West Seed Philippines, to take place upon conclusion of Ph.D.
    • Awarded to David O'Donnell
      Nanjing Agricultural University International Graduate Student Conference Nanjing Agricultural University, Jiangsu Province, China Oct 2016 One of eleven international graduate students invited to present at the International Graduate Student Conference of Nanjing Agricultural University, in conjunction with presentations from twenty-seven domestic students of NAU. One of six students to be awarded highest recognition for PowerPoint presentation. Awarded second place honors for poster content.
    • Awarded to David O'Donnell
      National Association of Plant Breeders Travel Award Recipient University of California Davis Jul 2015 Received a travel award to attend the annual NAPB conference in Pullman, WA, for poster presentation of original research.
    • Awarded to David O'Donnell
      American Seed Research Foundation - Operation Student Connection Recipient American Seed Trade Association Jun 2015 Based upon academic merit and research experience, selected from an applicant pool narrowed to six graduate students to participate in the 132nd Annual American Seed Trade Association convention in Washington, D.C.
    • Awarded to David O'Donnell
      UC Davis Plant Sciences Departmental Fellowship University of California Davis Apr 2012 Received annual renewal of this fellowship through the 2016-'17 academic year.
    • Awarded to David O'Donnell
      UMass Junior Fellowship University of Massachusetts Amherst Sep 2010 Program to fund the individual research efforts of fourteen distinguished seniors majoring in various life sciences at UMass.
    • Awarded to David O'Donnell
      HHMI Summer Research Fellowship Howard Hughes Medical Institute Jun 2010 Conducted an RNAi screen to discover candidate genes responsible for tip-growth in the moss Physcomitrella patens, culminating in a poster session to present all results to the local scientific community.