Diane Smith

Diane Smith

Contact: deg39@zips.uakron.edu

Hometown: Lansing, NY

Education:    2011 B.S. Biochemistry, B.A. Spanish         The Ohio State University, OH

Research Interests: Infectious disease and public health.  Currently, I am interested in developing a system to concentrate sputum samples to improve an existing tuberculosis screening method

Work Experience:                                                

Intern, 3M Food Safety Department – Maplewood, MN – May – August 2015

  • Began optimizing parameters for rapid detection of parts-per-billion concentrations of contaminants in food products to be used by manufacturers, with the eventual possibility of an Invention Submission

Mentor, Office of Multicultural Development – August 2014 – May 2015

  • Helped freshmen at the University of Akron navigate their first year by sharing successful approaches to becoming involved in research, finding a fulfilling and productive major, signing up for classes, and negotiating the financial system, while addressing family and other life issues

Primary Care Program Development – Hospital Sabogal, Lima, Peru – July – September 2010

  • Aided in developing and coordinating a primary care workshop targeted to healthcare professionals

  • Acted as a point of connection between healthcare providers and administrators to better serve patients

  • Prepared reports summarizing our program’s progress and goals

Undergraduate Fellow/Researcher – Dr. Ganju Lab, Ohio State University, College of Medicine Pathology Department – June 2008 – 2011

  • Investigated the role of cannabinoids in the inhibition of breast cancer metastasis and growth

  • Articulately wrote technical reports and gained NIH grant and budget writing/reviewing experience

  • Trained undergraduate and medical students in analytical techniques and time management skills

Student Research Assistant – Dr. Barth Lab, OSU Experimental Pathology – June 2007 – 2008

  • Administered anesthesia to important animal models

Awards:                                                                                                                                               LORD Corporation Graduate Fellowship – 2013 – present
Ada Lovelace Poster Day Winner in Life Science Category, Best Overall Poster – 2015
American Chemical Society Rubber Division Student Chapter Scholarship – 2014
Full funding – National Conference on Undergraduate Research, OSU College of Arts and Sciences – 2011
Volunteer of the Year, International Neighborhood Coffee Hour (Columbus, OH) – 2009
OSU Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Scholarship – 2009
Undergraduate Research Fellowship, OSU Undergraduate Research Office – 2008