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EDUCATION

The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX (2021-2023)
Master of Science, Molecular and Cell Biology

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The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX (2019-2021)
Master of Science, Biotechnology

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University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California (2015-2019)
Bachelor of Science, Biochemistry

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The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX (2021-Present)
Doctor of Philosophy Candidate, Dissertation Project:

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Molecular Biology: DNA purification, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), molecular
cloning, mutagenesis

RESEARCH

Biochemistry: SDS-PAGE, western blot, enzyme kinetics, crystallography, protein
purification using FPLC,

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Microbiology: cell culture of different microbes, whole gene knockouts

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AWARDS & CERTS

Graduate Student Mentor at the Summer Biology Research Program (Summer 2024)

Rockford Draper and Gail Breen Graduate Teaching Fellowship Award (January 2025)

Graduate Teaching Certificate (February 2025)

Advanced Graduate Teaching Certificate (December 2025)

PRESENTATIONS

Arman Kavoussi, Dannie Zhabilov, Stefanie Boyd, Duane D. Winkler* “The Role of GSH in a
CCS Independent Activation of SOD1” Department of Biological Sciences - University of Texas
at Dallas

Jack Koster, Dannie Zhabilov, Stefanie Boyd, Duane D. Winkler* “Characterization of Loop
Mutations in hSOD1” Department of Biological Sciences - University of Texas at Dallas

Dannie Zhabilov, Charis Vela, Gavin Ghafoori, Brenda Miller, Gavin Schultz, Duane D.
Winkler* “Addition of AcnD Inhibitory Compounds Cripples Pseudomonas aeruginosa Growth”
UTD Research Day Graduate Student Poster Competition Department of Biological Sciences
–University of Texas at Dallas (October 2024)

Dannie Zhabilov, Charis Vela, Duane D. Winkler* “ Potential Phytopathogen Antimicrobial
Agents Targeting the 2-Methylcitrate Pathway Enzymes AcnD and PrpD in P. aeruginosa” UTD
Research Day Graduate Student Poster Competition Department of Biological Sciences
–University of Texas at Dallas (October 2025)

PROFICIENCY

  • Microsoft Word

  • Microsoft Excel

  • R-programming

  • Graphpad Prism

  • Thermo Scientific Interface

  • Blackboard Teaching Interface

  • Biorender

TEACHING &
MENTORSHIP

1. Teaching Fellow: Biochemistry Laboratory (BIOL 3380), Biological Sciences Department,
The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX (January 2025-Present)
• Taught independent section of 20 students
• In charge of teaching assistants
• Prepared lab materials and classrooms• Proctored/graded exams
• Met independently with students for additional assistance

• Held office hours


2. Dallas International School Biology Summer Camp: Dallas International School,
Richardson, TX (In collaboration with Meenakshi Maitra, PhD; Summer 2024)
• Developed an entire summer camp course centered around biological techniques for
middle and high school students
• Met with school faculty and staff to discuss logistics and budget
• In charge of ordering materials and developing lectures
• Mentored undergraduate students that helped teach the camp


3. Graduate Teaching Assistant: Biochemistry Laboratory (BIOL 3380), Biological Sciences
Department, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX (Instructors: Elizabeth
Pickett, PhD, Scott Rippel, PhD; Summer 2022, Spring 2024)
• Prepared lab materials
• Proctored/graded exams
• Met with students independently


4. Graduate Teaching Assistant: Immunobiology (BIOL 4345), Biological Sciences
Department, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX (Instructors: Michelle
Wilson, PhD, Xintong Dong, PhD; Spring 2022 and 2023)
• Developed online quizzes
• Graded exams/quizzes
• Met with students independently
• Gave course input to instructors


5. Graduate Teaching Assistant: Biochemistry I (BIOL 3360), Biological Sciences
Department, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX (Instructors: Stephen
Spiro, PhD, Mehmet Candas, PhD, Stefanie Boyd, PhD, Lin Jia, PhD; Fall 2021, Summer
2023, Fall 2023)
• Taught workshops weekly
• Prepared lectures for workshops
• Proctored/graded exams
• Met with students independently
• Gave course input to instructors


6. Graduate Teaching Assistant: Human Anatomy and Physiology I (BIOL 3455), Biological
Sciences Department, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX (Instructors:
Ruben Ramirez, PhD, Meenakshi Maitra, PhD; Spring 2020-Summer 2020)
• Lead Teaching Assistant in charge of all Graduate and Undergraduate assistants
• Writing exams
• Proctored/graded exams
• Prepared lab materials• Met with students independently
• Held office hours
• Gave course input to instructors

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• Arman Kavoussi (August 2019-2021); Undergraduate student at UTD; currently a Medical
Student at Baylor
• Jack Koster (2021); Undergraduate student at UTD; currently pursuing a PhD in Amsterdam
• Brenda Miller (August 2023-2024); Undergraduate student at UTD; currently Registered
Behavior Tech for 2–7-year-olds
• Gavin Shultz (2023-present); current Undergraduate student at UTD
• Grishma Patel (2023-2024); Master’s student at UTD; currently working in the medical field
• Gavin Ghafoori (2024); currently at UTSW as a Green Fellow and will pursue a PhD
• Charis Vela (2024-present); current Undergraduate student at UTD; plans on pursuing Master’s
and PhD

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