FUNdamental Lab Skills
Learn essential laboratory techniques and explore the fascinating world of Biotechnology with an experienced scientist. This hands-on course will equip you with essential laboratory skills and show you how different sciences come together to advance our understanding of life sciences. Master the art of micropipetting, a crucial technique in many laboratories. Understand the principles of solution preparation and dilution, essential for accurate experimentation. Learn how to cultivate microorganisms and discover the wonders of DNA and its role in genetic information. Learn about electrical circuits and the power of electrophoresis, a technique used to separate molecules (including DNA) based on their size and charge.
About the Instructor: Vanya Paralanov, PhD
Vanya is a Molecular and Cell Biologist and has worked in the field of synthetic and engineering biology at the J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). At both institutions she worked with teams of biologists, physicists, engineers, and statisticians and found many benefits of the interdisciplinary nature of these teams.
At JCVI, Vanya worked with the Synthetic biology and Bioinformatics groups on comparative genomics and developing molecular tools to study a family of opportunistic pathogenic bacteria implicated in pregnancy complications. At NIST, Vanya was involved in projects aiming to provide standardized methods for measuring the function of genetic parts used in engineering biology.
Since she left the research lab, Vanya has been developing and implementing educational programs for her kids, who are homeschooled. She enjoys sharing her passion for science with her kids and others through teaching classes and mentoring. In March 2024 she co-founded CELLS, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, with the mission to provide a place in Frederick MD for curious people of all ages to participate in STEAM projects and workshops.
Assistant Instructor: Amit Kumar, PhD
Amit is an experienced scientist and science research program administrator. He is the founder of Urbana STEM and Mindfulnes and co-founder of CELLS.