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Christopher L Washenberger
3535 E 13th Ave
Denver, CO. 80206
720-272-2043
[email protected]
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Research Positions:
Institute of Alpine and Arctic Research, University of Colorado at Boulder (Principal Investigator:
Dr. Diana Nemergut)
2009-2011: Assay of soils from various sites to determine Archaeal and bacterial populations
and the effect on these populations relating to multiple experimental treatments and
deglaciation events.
Duties also included using an elemental analyzer (EA1112 FLASH) to examine the carbon
and nitrogen content of soils from Long-Term Ecological Research sites. This was a corestyle function for multiple labs related to the LTER Network.
2007: Analysis of Clostridium acetobutylicum grown in varying substrates to determine the
effects of these growth media on production of various solvents, especially butanol. Various
substrates were analyzed in different growth conditions. Media types ranged from minimal
chemical media to purchasable Clostridial media.
Design and execution of quantitative PCR assays using the Stratagene MX3500 real-time
PCR system.
General molecular biology and biochemical techniques including PCR, primer design, DNA
extraction, electrophoresis, and gas chromatography.
Lab management, procurement and administration.
Education and demonstration of protocol to ensure lab protocol continuity.
Sequence and gene analysis.
Aerobic and anaerobic culture techniques.
Media/Substrate design and microbial growth management.
Analysis and modification of bacterial solvent production.
University Of Colorado Health Sciences Center (Principal Investigator: Dr. David Barton)
2004-2007: Assay of the genome of the Hepatitis C Virus to compare the frequencies of
UA/UU dinucleotides in interferon resistant and interferon sensitive serotypes. Comparison of
HCV genotypes to determine susceptibility to cleavage by RNase L.Techniques emphasized
bioinformatic analysis and related software analysis methods.The assay was expanded to
include poliovirus and randomized sequences were included for statistical comparison.
General laboratory management.
Procurement
Radioactive, mixed, and hazardous wastestream management.
PC, Mac, and general equipment installation and maintenance.
University of Colorado at Denver, Biomedical Sciences Program.
2007-2008: Various lab rotations were completed in which multiple subjects were examined
including RNA structural elements and the role of kinases in lung development.
Undergraduate Research:
Environmental Microbiology, Metropolitan State College of Denver, August 2005-November 2006
(Principal Investigators: Dr. Rebecca Ferrell and Dr. Todd Bergren)
2005-2006: Developed techniques to identify nitrifying bacteria in soil samples and water
samples taken from constructed wetlands.
General molecular techniques were emphasized including DNA extraction, PCR, gel
electrophoresis, transformation using TOPO cloning, sequencing of 16s and Nitrosomonas
nitrifying gene complex.
Installed a bioreactor/fermentor to examine the growth of Nitrosomonas europaea in a
student laboratory setting.
Field research:
Field research in Akumal, Mexico 2006. Survey of constructed wetlands encompassing
nitrifying bacteria and nutrient removal in relation to coral disease. Detection of possible
nitrifying bacteria in two constructed wetlands.
Capture and subsequent radio-tagging and tracking of Crotalus viridus rattlesnakes on the
Plains Conservation Center in Aurora, CO, Summer 2006. Tracked the movement and
environmental conditions of 19 snakes throughout three separate prairie dog colonies within
the Center. Data was collected to compare the movements to those of previous years, to
examine correlations between den sites from year to year.
PUBLICATIONS
Hepatitis C Virus RNA: Dinucleotide Frequencies and Cleavage by RNase L. Christopher L
Washenberger, Jian-Qiu Han, Katherina Kechris, Babal K Jha, Robert H Silverman, David J
Barton, 2007 Virus Research
Plot-scale Manipulations of Organic Matter Inputs Correlate With Shifts In Microbial
Communitty Composition In A Lowland Tropical Forest. Diana R Nemergut, Cory C
Cleveland, William R Weider, Christopher L Washenberger, Alan R Townsend, 2010 Soil
Biology & Biochemistry (In Press)
HONORS
2nd Place Award Undergraduate Research Poster: “Hepatitis C Virus, Interferon, and RNase
L.” Rocky Mountain American Society of Microbiology (ASM), Laramie, WY, 2006.
2nd Place Award Undergraduate Research Poster “Hepatitis C Virus, Interferon, and RNase
L” (modified). Rocky Mountain Virology Club, Pingree Park, CO, October 2006.
EDUCATION
Metropolitan State College of Denver, Denver, CO
Graduation: December 2006
BS: Biology - Minor: Chemistry
Major GPA: 3.23/4.0 General GPA: 3.03/4.0
GENERAL SKILLS
Bacterial culture
Cell culture
PCR, primer design
qPCR
Bioinformatic software usage
Extensive use and networking of PC platforms and Mac and Unix administration