Leslie Contreras

Experience

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  Healthy and Equity Research Lab

  Jan 2021 - May 2022

  Undergraduate Researcher

  Research Project: The Pilipinx Taking Action to Maximize and Amplify Nature Access (PAMANA) -The project aimed to study the telomere lengths and cortisol levels in the Pilipinx community before and after partaking in activities in nature over a period of three months. -Conducted DNA extraction on human cheek cells using the QIAGEN ZymoBIOMICS DNA kit-Analyzed telomere length using the SYBR green qPCR method

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  Health and Equity Research Lab

  May 2021 - Jun 2024

  Duties, Accomplishments and Related Skills:Hood To Woods Project-Researching the impact of green spaces and natural environments on cortisol levels and the relative length of telomeres.-Contributing to advancing and validating novel DNA extraction techniques while optimizing procedural processes.-Performed DNA extraction on human buccal cells utilizing the QIAGEN kit’s SOP.-Achieved significant biospecimen accrual.-Utilized Sybr green in qPCR analysis to investigate telomere relative lengths.-Thoroughly analyzed, documented, and maintained experimental results in a comprehensive lab notebook.We performed Cortisol ELISA analyses to examine cortisol levels among participants. The ELISA was performed using 30 hair samples. We measured participants' cortisol levels over the last 3 months through the ELISA.-About 950 participants were recruited.-Spoke and presented at coalition meetings to gain support and partnerships. Show less

  • Graduate Student Researcher

    Jan 2022 - Jun 2024

  • Lead Editor

    May 2021 - Aug 2022
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  USDA

  Jan 2024 - now

  Biological Science Technician

  Guayule Rubber Research-Performed gDNA extractions on leaf tissue using the DNeasy Plant Pro Kit by QIAGEN, with modifications made due to the high amount of carbohydrates in guayle.-Executed qPCR on experimental primers to identify the most successful primer for dPCR.-Performed plant transformations with guayule leaf tissue using different dosages of timentin and kanamycin.-Executed total RNA isolation on guayule bark and leaf tissue to perform cDNA dilutions and qPCR using SYBR green.-Processed guayule for washed rubber particles.-Preformed TOPO cloning reactions to transform control plasmid to confirm transformation efficiencies when using alternative, competent cells. -Conducted isolation of pDNA from agrobacterium using QIAprep Spin Miniprep kit with modification to isolated single-copy binary plasmid for genetically modified guayule.-Kept plant inventory up to date and maintained plants in the greenhouse.-Conducted guayule leaf strip transformation by transferring guayule shoot tips into magenta boxes filled with different amounts of kanamycin in the rooting medium. -Preformed GUS histochemical staining to observe rubber production in guayule leaves, stems, and roots. -Executed blotting electrophoresis on gDNA that has gone through PCR to observe the success of created primers in attaching to the target DNA. Show less