Samir Gala, M.S.

Experience

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  Park Operations, Inc.

  Sept 2006 - Dec 2006

  Foreman

  •Oversaw staff leadership and logistics regarding special events at Six Flags Over Georgia.•In charge of staffing and shift changes, and required to keep records of products and profits.•Responsible for general procedural guidelines, and the operation of multiple field locations utilizing a variety of special equipment and personnel tailored to enhance the experience of over 10,000 park visitors daily.

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  Six Flags Over Georgia

  Jan 2007 - Jul 2007

  Foreman

  •Conducted field supervision of Games Department stations and staff within large estate.•Regulated staff, procedures, and general upkeep of multiple field locations, while establishing a work-friendly environment featuring a skilled assortment of personnel to optimize revenue, appeal, and efficiency. •Supervised financial profits working in tandem with Loss Prevention Department, and responsible for ordering and stocking products, prizes, and necessities related to field locations.

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  Asura Fusion Dance Team

  Sept 2008 - May 2013

  Founder, Senior Captain

  •Organized the first major competitive, nationally recognized, multicultural fusion dance team at the University of Georgia.•Led 40+ individuals through dance competitions held across the nation, and achieved #6 national ranking during tenure.•Collaborated with domestic and international clients and vendors, and managed an annual team budget of $7,000.

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  UGA Biology and Life Sciences Association

  Jan 2010 - May 2014

  Student Mentor

  •Fostered an academic and social community for all students interested in the life sciences.•Mentored 40+ underclassmen from a variety of backgrounds, helping them enhance their educational experiences at UGA.•Raised awareness to a multitude of scientific career opportunities through informative programs.•Aided students in their pursuit of research opportunities and assisted with professional and graduate school applications

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  United Indian Student Alliance

  Mar 2010 - Apr 2013

  Vice President of Logistics

  •Promoted cooperation and collaboration between various multicultural and service organizations across Georgia.•Managed UISA funds, consisting of over $13,000, and allocated a $4,000 annual budget to separate committees.•Organized a major intercollegiate dance competition featuring elite teams from across the Southeast.•Organized charity events such as India Run for Hope, and fundraised for Be The Match bone marrow registry.

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  Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity

  Apr 2011 - Jan 2013

  President, Beta Zeta Chapter

  •Promoted and engaged in volunteer service for the campus, community, and nation, while adhering to Chapter by-laws.•Served as medium between Executive Board and Chapter members, and scheduled weekly Chapter, meetings, and events.•Built relationships with multiple organizations throughout the Southeast in an effort to better serve humanity.•Managed a Chapter account of $17,000, and led fundraising efforts of Chapter, yielding $7,000 of additional funding.

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  American Campus Communities

  Jun 2011 - Dec 2011

  Community Assistant

  •Maintained office and amenities through weekly inspections, and assisted staff with repairs to facilities.•Utilized skills in data presentation and database organization to lead effective marketing efforts.•Contributed to roughly 15% of capital gained from new lease agreements by new and returning tenants.•Provided conflict-resolution and counseling services for residents, and training for new employees.

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  University of Georgia

  Jul 2011 - May 2012

  •Undergraduate Researcher with Dr. Erin Dolan.•Studied the process of learning on scientific identity formation.•Compared and contrasted multiple teaching formats used across the world with respect to adolescent learning.•Transcribed audio recordings and collaborated with international researchers •Undergraduate Researcher with Dr. Claire Robb.•Spear headed a literature review regarding cardiovascular health in retirees and geriatric patients.•Routinely used statistical software and research databases to develop proposals for epidemiological studies.•Developed strong interest in pursuing a career in public health in addition to medicine and research.

  • Undergraduate Research Assistant, Division of Biological Sciences

    Jan 2012 - May 2012

  • Undergraduate Research Assistant, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics

    Jul 2011 - Dec 2011
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  Athens Regional Medical Center

  Jan 2012 - Aug 2012

  •Assisted nursing, medical, and pharmaceutical personnel with medical care, surgery preparation, and prescription delivery.•Manned main desk in Pulmonary Department, and handled insurance and medical paperwork.•Created medical charts, placed orders for critical supplies and equipment, and scheduled follow-up visits for patients.•Sterilized equipment and honed skill in aseptic technique.•Provided comfort and relief for terminally ill patients, and contributed to 70% decrease in patient fall count during shifts. Show less •Assisted nursing, medical, and pharmaceutical personnel with medical care, surgery preparation, and prescription delivery.•Manned main desk in Neurosciences Department, and handled insurance and medical paperwork.•Created medical charts, placed orders for critical supplies and equipment, and scheduled follow-up visits for patients.•Sterilized equipment and honed skill in aseptic technique.•Provided comfort and relief for terminally ill patients, and contributed to 70% decrease in patient fall count during shifts. Show less

  • Pulmonary Volunteer

    May 2012 - Aug 2012

  • Neurosciences Volunteer

    Jan 2012 - May 2012
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  University of Georgia

  Feb 2014 - Aug 2014

  •Post-baccalaureate Researcher with Dr. Ping Shen.•Investigated and characterized Bacchus gene regulatory functions of alcohol tolerance in model organisms.•Performed cell culture, immunohistochemistry, and in-situ hybridization techniques to aid in protein analysis.•Reviewed scientific research publications regarding Bacchus gene and used information to propagate further research.•Utilized genome and sequencing resources such as FlyBase and BLAST to target specific kinesin proteins for further study.•Established relationships with researchers in the UGA Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Disease and fostered a personal research interest in variable immune responses to bacterial, viral, and parasitic pathogens. Show less •Volunteered on the Division of Biological Sciences International Genetically Engineered Machine competition team (iGEM).•Characterized and developed pivotal optimization strategy for geraniol production in methanogens.•Routinely performed cell culture, microscopy, PCR, DNA extraction, sequencing, and aseptic techniques.•Created reports for weekly research meetings and briefed new volunteers on project progress.•Reviewed literature regarding synthetic biology and suggested strategies to utilize iGEM research in the biomedical arena. Show less

  • Post-Baccalaureate Research Assistant, Department of Cellular Biology

    May 2014 - Aug 2014

  • iGEM Research Assistant

    Feb 2014 - Apr 2014
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  Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine- Georgia Campus

  Sept 2014 - May 2016

  •Represent all GA-PCOM graduate students and the Biomedical Sciences program in external affairs and events.•Serve as liaison between the Graduate Student Council and the Student Government Association at GA-PCOM.•Responsibly and proactively act to further the development and advancement of campus programs and measures.•Provide feedback to faculty and staff regarding teaching effectiveness and strategies on behalf of graduate students. •Organized and provided a variety of community service opportunities for graduate, medical, and pharmacy students.•Promoted and recognized outstanding service and academic success by all students on campus.•Developed and implemented strategies aimed at enhancing professional and academic experiences of students.•Spearheaded international medical mission trips to rural areas of Nicaragua, Peru, the Dominican Republic, and India. •Filed critical documents, conducted data entry, and organized confidential information of applicants to GA-PCOM.•Engaged in outreach activities and admissions workshops held throughout the state of Georgia.•Proactively responded to applicant inquiries related to status and improvement strategies. •Served as liaison between the Graduate Council and the Student Government Association at GA-PCOM.•Exercised voting privileges to further the development and advancement of campus programs and measures. •Responsibly listened to the concerns of the student body and developed strategies to address them.

  • President, Graduate Student Council

    Mar 2015 - May 2016

  • President, Graduates Representing Academic Accomplishment, Diversity, and Service (GRAADS)

    Mar 2015 - May 2016

  • Admissions Work-Study

    Mar 2015 - Jun 2015

  • SGA Representative, Graduate Student Council

    Sept 2014 - Mar 2015
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  Alpha Epsilon Lambda National Graduate Honor Society

  May 2015 - May 2016

  Treasurer, Alpha Psi Chapter

  •Maintained budget of approximately $2,000 in allocated funds for use in academic enhancement events and programs.•Inspired student body to strive for elite academic success by setting a positive example for the campus and community.•Provided teaching assistants to aid faculty with first year Biomedical Sciences courses at GA-PCOM.•Cultivated leadership through organization of multiple health-related community service events.

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  US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

  Jul 2015 - Sept 2015

  Pathways Intern, Office of the Regional Administrator

  •Created reports, compiled statistics, and provided accurate and detailed presentation materials to senior EPA administrators and congressional personnel.•Coordinated training and research conferences, Sharepoint setup, and database organization.•Maintained and developed interagency and intercollegiate relationships that focused on providing assistance to underrepresented communities, such as the College/Underserved Community Partnership Program (CUPP)•Utilized technical experience to assist Native American Tribal Governments with environmental justice and health issues.•Organized EPA’s first annual International Environmental Youth Symposium to provide high school, college, and graduate students a platform to learn the importance of the environment in relation to human health. •Selected for environmental health leadership training hosted by former U.S. Vice President Al Gore. Show less

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  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

  Oct 2015 - Jul 2016

  Public Affairs Intern, Office of the Regional Director

  •Supported the Regional Director and staff in carrying out priorities of the Secretary as related to the Affordable Care Act and marketplace initiatives in Region 4.•Educated the public, communicated strategic messaging, and built stakeholder relationships to effectively implement the ACA.•Prepared documents, reports, presentations, and briefings for staff meetings and public events related to HHS.•Established interagency relationships with Federal, State, Local, and Tribal governments to enhance implementation of the ACA.•Analyzed and developed enhancement strategies for interagency health policy initiatives and directives.•Conducted assessments and reviews to develop, extend, and/or improve HHS services, healthcare systems, and public health strategies.•Executed program activities, such as the Regional Director's Annual Award Ceremony, Naloxone Training, Open Enrollment, and the National Call to Action to Promote Walking and Walkable Communities. Show less

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  US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

  Sept 2016 - Jan 2020

  •Conducted inspections and investigations of regulated facilities in 8 Southeastern states for compliance under the federal Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) lead statutes and Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) statutes.•Served as EPA’s technical project officer for North Carolina’s lead and asbestos program grants, and aid the state in grant implementation and enforcement activities as it pertains to EPA oversight.•Served as an EPA case development officer, and developed litigation reports, technical briefings, and position papers for administrative orders and enforcement actions against TSCA non-compliant entities.•Served as the Lead and Asbestos Section’s (LAS) geospatial information systems (GIS) technical specialist, and developed infographics and maps related to reported lead exposures, enforcement activities, and environmental justice metrics.•Served as LAS employee viewpoint survey (EVS) implementation liaison, developed and implemented strategies to enhance EPA employee productivity and satisfaction.•Served as Quality Assurance Coordinator and Document Approving Official for the Chemical Safety and Enforcement Branch. Reviewed, provided guidance for, and approved state program quality assurance project plans related to lead and asbestos programmatic grants.•Served as EPA Region 4’s Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Special Emphasis Program Manager (SEPM). Coordinated monthly constituency meetings to address AAPI issues in the workplace, plan developmental and learning opportunities for EPA personnel, and acted as liaison between constituency groups, the Office of Civil Rights, and senior leadership for constituency needs and barriers, MD-715 report development, and programmatic initiatives.•As a member of EPA’s Children’s Health Workgroup, served as technical mentor to Emory University School of Public Health graduate students, and provided guidance for environmental health thesis projects and community outreach strategies. Show less •Provided logistical support and helped moderate EPA’s second annual International Environmental Youth Symposium•Supported EPA’s active partnership with Emory University to help create the Center for Children’s Health, the Environment, the Microbiome, and Metabolomics, an innovative pediatric research unit dedicated to understanding complexities of the prenatal and postnatal environment and their impacts on birth outcomes, infant health, and neurodevelopment.•Assisted with EPA grant management for lead and asbestos programs held by the State of North Carolina.•Researched data on children’s elevated blood lead levels among 8 Southeastern states, and developed course of action to partner with HHS federal agencies to focus on lead exposure preventative measures.•Developed community and youth learning materials to educate high-risk populations on the risks and prevention of lead exposure.•Completed training to become certified enforcement officer, focusing on TSCA lead statutes.•Completed training to become certified as a technical project officer (TPO) and case development officer (CDO) for TSCA-related lead enforcement actions and programs. Show less

  • Life Scientist | Enforcement Officer | Special Emphasis Program Manager

    Dec 2016 - Jan 2020

  • Life Sciences (Biologist/Toxicologist) Trainee

    Sept 2016 - Dec 2016
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  White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

  Apr 2019 - Jan 2020

  Acting Regional Co-Lead

  Coordinate outreach and engagement efforts throughout the Southeast in an effort to facilitate access to and participation in federal programs in which many Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) remain under-served. The Initiative focuses on several issues that are important to the AAPI community and impact quality of life, including economic growth, education, health, and housing.

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  FDA

  Feb 2024 - now

  • Investigator | Consumer Safety Officer

    Jan 2020 - now

  • Foreign Investigations Operations Planner (Detail/Temp. Promotion)

    Feb 2024 - May 2024