EDUCATION

2024- Bachelor of Science Biology, Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, Illinois

• Honors: summa cum laude

2015- Bachelor of Science Art with Minor in Biology, Elmhurst College, Elmhurst, Illinois

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Undergraduate Student Researcher (2021-2024) Voisine Lab. Northeastern Illinois University, Biology Department, Chicago, Illinois

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Education Specialist (August 2023 - Present) Adler Planetarium, Chicago, Illinois

Education Fellow, Fellowship (Mar. 2021 - July 2022) Instructor, part-time (September 2016- July 2022).   Elmhurst Art Museum, Elmhurst, Illinois

PRESENTATIONS

Oral Presentations

• Lotesto V. & Voisine C. Impact of Insulin Signaling on Neurotoxicity in C. elegans Expressing TDP-43, An ALS Associated Protein. 

• 2024 John Sargon Albazi Research and Creative Activities Student Symposium. April 2024; Northeastern Illinois University; Chicago, IL.

• Award: Biology & Chemistry Session Winner

• ILSAMP STEM Symposium 2024. January 2024; Lisle, IL.

• Award: 2nd place in Molecular Biology

• 15th Annual SCSE Summer Research Symposium. September 2023; Northeastern Illinois University; Chicago, IL.

• 2023 John Sargon Albazi Research and Creative Activities Student Symposium. April 2023; Northeastern Illinois University; Chicago, IL.   

Poster Presentations

• Lotesto V. & Voisine C. Impact of Insulin Signaling on Neurotoxicity in C. elegans Expressing TDP-43, An ALS Associated Protein. 

  • Chicago Society of Neuroscience 2024 Annual Scientific Meeting. March 2024; Chicago, IL.

  • 17th Midwest Conference on Protein Folding; Assembly and Molecular Motions. January 2024; Evanston, IL.

  • 4th Annual Chicago Area Worm Meeting (ChAWM). November 2023; University of Illinois Chicago; Chicago, IL.

  • 2023 SACNAS National Diversity in STEM Conference. October 2023; Portland, OR.

  •  Poster Award: Life Sciences, Cell/Molecular Biology 

• Lotesto V. & Voisine C. Investigating the Impact of Insulin Signaling to Reduce Neurotoxicity in C. elegans Expressing TDP-43, an ALS Associated Protein.

• Chicago Society of Neuroscience 2023 Annual Scientific Meeting. March 2023; Chicago, IL.

• ILSAMP STEM Symposium 2023. January 2023; Lisle, IL.

•  Poster Award: 2nd Place in General Biology.

• 16th Midwest Conference on Protein Folding; Assembly and Molecular Motions. January 2023; Evanston, IL.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

2024 Intellectual Voyager Award. Northeastern Illinois University Department of Biology

2024 Dana Foundation Neuro Art Competition

• 1st Place Winner