Harjot Athwal

Experience

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  2472016 Ontario Inc.

  Jun 2014 - Jan 2015

  Data Entry Clerk

  - Effectively reviewed, organized, analyzed, and authorized data provided by customers, and identified any errors - Accurately operated a software system to enter data of goods to be transported - Maintained business emails with partners and associates

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  Sears Canada

  Feb 2017 - Sept 2017

  Brand Ambassador

  - Attracted customers by streamlining clothing articles on display in a presentable manner - Communicated with customers regarding merchandise and services to promote sales- Effectively maintained a clean and organized working environment while assisting customers with store inquiries to achieve customer satisfaction- Examined merchandise in stock room ensuring product safety and quality - Worked rotating shifts (evenings and weekends) during busy hours

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  UniFirst Corporation

  Apr 2018 - Sept 2019

  Data Entry Clerk

  - Proficiently organized hundreds of company files which increased productivity- Effectively operated Lotus Notes to create, review, and approve company logos to be embroidered on uniforms - Utilized Batch Manager to efficiently scan invoices and customer agreements to send to the appropriate customer- Used Boston to efficiently input damages, replace and order uniforms - Matched invoices with their corresponding paper slips and packing orders

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  St. Joseph's Hospital

  May 2019 - May 2020

  Research Assistant

  A research assistant in the hand and upper limb centre focused on aiding students and technologists with ongoing research projects to wound healing, while successfully following all lab regulations for health and safety. Gained in-depth knowledge of laboratory techniques and equipment, such as pipette usage and cell counting.Other roles include: - Effectively used ImageJ to measure samples and maintain accurate laboratory records for reporting to superior- Cleaned and sterilized various laboratory equipment using autoclaves and appropriately dispose of waste- Efficiently collected human tissue from operating rooms and processed for primary cell derivation- Demonstrated human primary cell culture and passaging- Demonstrated patient confidentiality according to hospital policy Show less

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  Environment and Climate Change Canada

  May 2020 - Sept 2021

  Laboratory Technician

  Worked in a modern analytical chemistry lab in Canada's largest freshwater research and support facility. • Efficiently extracted water samples by various techniques such as Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) and Liquid-Solvent Extraction• Successfully used modern techniques such as automated SPE and QuEChERS paired with instrumentation such as gas or liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry and high-resolution mass spectrometry • Effectively operated analytical equipment such as Rotovaps, Turbovaps, and automated SPE• Accurately prepared reagents, buffers and solutions following laboratory protocols• Accurately conducted tests following certified methods and operating procedure• Promptly reported and calculated results such as mean, standard deviation, % recovery, and %RSD (relative standard deviation) in Microsoft Excel• Input results into a national Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) with high efficiency • Investigated and performed literature searches to effectively support method development and research• Proficiently maintained and replenished chemical stores by contacting suppliers and placing purchase orders• Maintained equipment and temperature records for Quality Assurance purposes with high accuracy Show less

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  London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC)

  Jul 2021 - Apr 2022

  Recruited new participants in the Pediatric and Adult Emergency Department at Victoria Hospital by building professional rapport, trust and respect with the patient/guardian in order to obtain informed consent.• Screened charts and liaised with healthcare providers to ensure patients are eligible for the study and followed up with previous participants.• Used REDCap to assure all clinical trial documentation was in order after recruiting new participants in the Pediatric and Adult Emergency Department at Victoria Hospital. Show less Course: Biochemistry 4486 - Cancer Biology Research ProjectConducted an independent fourth-year senior research project examining the effects of radiation therapy and CFI-400945 (PLK4 inhibitor) on activating cell death pathways in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer• Implemented literature review, cell culture, protein extraction, Western blot, and flow cytometry to examine differences in the activation of cell death pathways in single-agent and combination treatment.• Displayed excellent organization, attention to detail and time management by maintaining a laboratory notebook. Show less

  • Clinical Research Assistant

    Sept 2021 - Apr 2022

  • Undergraduate Research Assistant

    Jul 2021 - Apr 2022
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  London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC)

  Aug 2022 - Aug 2024

  Graduate Student Researcher

  Studied the anticancer mechanisms of the polo-like kinase 4 (PLK4) inhibitor, CFI-400945 in combination with radiation in triple-negative breast cancerCo-supervised by Dr. Armen Parsyan (breast surgeon, clinician-scientist, assistant professor of surgery, oncology and anatomy and cell biology) and Dr. Alison Allan (senior oncology scientist, professor and chair of oncology and anatomy and cell biology)• Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of the biological mechanisms and treatment modalities of breast cancer, particularly in the metastatic setting.• Implemented literature review, experimental design, cell culture, primer design, RNA/protein isolation, RT-qPCR, Western blot, immunofluorescence, colony formation assays, flow cytometry and data analysis (GraphPad Prism, ImageJ) to assess mechanisms of anticancer effects of radiosensitizers in breast cancer.• Critically reviewed, criticized and discussed recent scientific literature in detail.• Communicated complex experimental findings at domestic and international conferences via poster or oral presentations to a diverse scientific audience.• Demonstrated exceptional and professional academic writing by curating a MSc thesis, first-author review paper and a second-author primary paper on the importance of investigating cell cycle aberrations in breast cancer• Provided mentorship and guidance to a first-year MSc student regarding coursework, presentations, and research as well as trained and supervised a junior trainee on experimental design, methodology, data analysis and scientific writing and communication Show less

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  Western University

  Jan 2024 - May 2024

  Course: Medical Science 4995E – Community-Engaged Learning and Research Skills in Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences • Applied the grading rubric and the characteristics of effective feedback to effectively mark up to one hundred written assignments, including literature review essays, scientific reports, reflections and e-portfolios. • Designed and delivered lessons on how to create and present a scientific poster to effectively communicate research findings. • Held office hours to provide students with effective feedback. Show less

  • Graduate Teaching Assistant

    Sept 2023 - May 2024

  • Graduate Teaching Assistant

    Jan 2024 - Apr 2024
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  ProteinQure

  Sept 2024 - now

  Associate Scientist

  - Support of R&D laboratory operations- Interfacing with vendors and CROs- Coordination of experimental logistics- Execution of experimental SOPs to generate data- Documentation of scientific workflows & data summaries- Assistance on ad-hoc tasks for project leads (including project management and documentation)