Nicholas D. Cavallaro
Ph.D. in Agricultural and Biological Engineering from University of Florida
Email:
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Curriculum Vitae
(Long)
Resume
(Short)
About Me
My interests lie in creating devices to benefit human health with a current focus on improving food safety. My primary focus is on creating impedemetric biosensors for the detection of the foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes. I am working on engineering disposable pathogen detection test strips using laser scribed graphene. My work also includes characterization of flexible LSG circuits to determine ideal conditions for biosensing purposes. Conventional methods of bacterial detection, such as polymerase chain reaction, colony counting, and immunological methods take hours to days to complete. I am working to develop sensors that are comparable to the performance of conventional methods with the aim of improving rapid pathogen detection by reducing the time for detection from hours to minutes.
In future work, I would like to continue to develop biosensors for the enhancement of human health and am open to developing new and improved sensing applications beyond the realm of food safety.
EXPERTISE
BIOSENSORS & ELECTROCHEMISTRY
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I have extensive experience with various electrochemical biosensing and material characterization techniques including but not limited to Cyclic Voltrammetry, Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy, and Direct Current Potential Amperometry. I have worked with a variety of potentiostats from high end equipment to portable, arduino based units. Additionally, I am skilled at metal electrodeposition and polymer electropolymerization.
DATA ANALYTICS
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I am highly skilled at data manipulation and analysis using Microsoft Excel, including spreadsheet design and solver, and have some experience using Visual Basic macros. I am well versed in standard statistical analysis using the open source R programming language. Additionally, I have experience using statistical machine learning techniques on biosensor data-sets including random forests, neural networks, principal component analysis, and support vector machines.
LEADERSHIP
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I am passionate about leadership, mentoring, and teamwork. My leadership experience includes being President and Treasurer of my Graduate Student Organization. I have mentored numerous students throughout various research projects. During my undergraduate studies I was a Resident Assistant and Peer Advocate for Social Justice and Conflict Resolution which significantly developed my leadership, mediation, and interpersonal skills. I believe in utilizing a team-based Problem Solving Process to overcome issues and improve processes.
SKILLS
Laboratory Techniques &
Hazardous Waste Management
Electrochemical Analysis &
Material Characterization
Biosensor Development
Highly Proficient in Microsoft Office
Statistical Analysis in
R Programming Language
Machine Learning Techniques
EXPERIENCE
August 2015-August 2020
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Florida
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Conducted multiple research projects for the development of low cost laser scribed graphene biosensors for the detection of foodborne pathogens
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Received appropriate lab safety and biomedical waste training for the handling of pathogenic bacteria
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Extensively conducted electrochemical analysis techniques including cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
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Mentored undergraduate research students throughout research projects and ensured their understanding of the utilized concepts
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Collaborated with researchers from different universities and fields of study
January 2017 - May 2017
Graduate Teaching Assistant
University of Florida
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Assisted with grading and interactive lecture development for the Fundamentals and Applications of Biosensors undergraduate and graduate blended course
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Held weekly office hours to answer student questions regarding course work and to assist them with deeper understanding of course concepts
August 2012 - May 2015
Resident Assistant and Peer Advocate for Social Justice and Conflict Resolution
University of Florida Department of Housing and Residence Education
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Assessed and responded to the needs of over 35 residents while also developing leadership, mediation, conflict resolution, and other various interpersonal skills
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Successfully implemented educational, social, recreational, and diversity related programs to strengthen community and connections amongst residents
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Managed various administrative duties including maintenance requests, incident reports, and fire safety inspections
EDUCATION
August 2015 - August 2020
Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural and Biological Engineering
University of Florida
Dissertation: Laser carbonized biosensors for the point of use detection of Listeria monocytogenes
Advisor: Eric McLamore, Ph.D.
GPA: 3.83
August 2011 - May 2015
Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering
University of Florida
Minor: Biomolecular Engineering
Certificate: Process Engineering Megacourse
LEADERSHIP
May 2017 - May 2018
President
Agricultural and Biological Engineering Graduate Student Organization
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Supervised and conducted all organization general body and officer meetings
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Oversaw the event planning process and assisted with the implementation of most graduate student organization facilitated events
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Communicated regularly with other officers and committee chairs (Graduate Professional Development, Service, Social, and Mentoring) to ensure ongoing progress and events
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Presented on the graduate student organization accomplishments to incoming graduate students as well as the departmental advisory board
May 2016 - May 2017
Treasurer
Agricultural and Biological Engineering Graduate Student Organization
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Managed club funds and produced a detailed budget of all expenditures related to the Graduate Student Organization
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Coordinated with organization officers to plan and budget for various professional development events and socials for graduate students
March 2013 - April 2015
Financial Coordinator
SwampCon
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Worked with the Executive Board to plan a large, multi-genre convention with an average attendance of 4,000 people
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Organized and managed the convention’s approximately $6,000 budget