EDUCATION

North Carolina A&T State University -Greensboro, NC 1996 to 1998
M.S., Soil, Plant Science and Environmental Science
Thesis: Mycological Potential of Trichloroethene Remediation

Paine College-Augusta, Georgia 1989 to 1994
B.S., Biology
Major Field Paper: Effects of 2,4 - Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid on Mung Bean Seedling Development

Academic Honors: Dean’s List, Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society, Who’s Who Among Universities and College for 89-90 and 91-92

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND
Instrumentation:
Waters High Pressure Liquid Chromatograph with 717 Autosampler, Refractive Index Detector, 2487 Dual UV/Vis Detector, and Fraction collector
Millennium and Empower chromatographic software
New Brunswick Scientific Fermentor Systems
Operation and Use of Standard Laboratory equipment – Spectrophotometer, Freeze Dryer, etc.
Hewlett Packard 5890 (II) Gas Chromatograph (GC) with 7963 Autosampler, Flame Ionization Detector (FID)
HP 3365 gas chromatographic software - peak identification, evaluation, and manual integration of standards and samples
Tekmar Model 7000 Static Headspace Autoanalyzer (SHA) operating in tandem with GC/FID

Microbiological:
Basic staining techniques (simple and differential) for bacteria and fungi
Isolating and culturing techniques (streak plating, smears )
Media preparation for bacteria and fungi (specialized media)
Alginate gel bacterial immobilization techniques
Microscopy and photomicrography experience
Basic gene recombinant work (course work)

COMPUTER BACKGROUND
Macintosh and PC: Software: Microsoft Office (strong working knowledge of Word, Excel (database spreadsheet, charts, graphs, etc.) PowerPoint (Presentations and Scientific Posters), MS Publisher, Adobe Illustrator and PhotoShop, Macromedia Dreamweaver 3.0 and Flash 4.0

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

North Carolina A&T State University-Greensboro, North Carolina 2000 to Present
Dr. A. Shahbazi, Supervisor - Telephone: (336) 334-7787
Bioenvironmental Engineering Program
Research Associate/Lab Manager. Managing Bioprocessing Laboratory by maintaining microorganisms, laboratory supplies, equipment, and supervising students (graduate and undergraduate). Performing research in Fermentation and Bioreactor immobilization analyses. Evaluating the performance of Lactobacillus bacteria and Bifidobacteria for organic acid production and other by-products. Method development for evaluating and promoting optimum organic acid production. Analysis of organic acids and carbohydrates by Liquid chromatography (HPLC). Preparing PowerPoint presentations for meetings and assist in writing and editing papers for publication.

North Carolina A&T State University-Greensboro, North Carolina 1998 to 1998
Dr. G.B. Reddy, Supervisor - Telephone: (336) 334-7779
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Design
Research Assistant. Developed and carried out research in Trichloroethylene remediation using fungi. Evaluated adsorption of trichoroethlyene in various soils to determine equilibrium. Analysis of TCE and degradation was performed using GC/ MS and Respirometric Analysis. Soils were evaluated using CHNS/O auto-analyzer, and wet lab techniques. Extensive use of Microsoft word, excel and PowerPoint programs.

Paine College-Augusta, Georgia 1994 to 1996
Department of Natural Science and Mathematics
Mrs. Linda James, Supervisor - Telephone: (706) 721-2522 (current-Medical College of Georgia)
Research Assistant. Primary role was to carry out experimentation on bioremediation project funded by the Department of Energy. The project dealt with designing and implementing effective ways in the use of fungi it degrade creosote treated wood. Analysis was performed using HPLC analysis, and wet lab techniques.

USDA Forest Service (Savannah River Site) Aiken, South Carolina 1993 to 1994
Dr. John Blake, Supervisor - Telephone: (803) 725-8721
Research Technician: Assisted personnel within the Forest Service and those enlisted to do research for this unit. Duties included laying out plots, collecting plant samples, collecting samples for sewage nutrient studies, culturing samples for mychorrhizae and parasitic fungal studies, data gathering, measuring tree heights and diameters, mapping out and marking trees for clear cuts, data entry, and basic Statistical Analysis Systems (SAS) work.

RECENT JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS
Shahbazi, A., Y. Li, and M Mims. 2005. Application of impregnation and rapid steam treatment to the fractionation of softwood. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology 121-124:973-988.
Shahbazi, A. M., Mims, Y. Li, S.A. Ibrahim, S. Vest, and A. Morris. 2005. Lactic acid production from cheese whey by immobilized bacteria. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology 121-124:529-540.

WORKSHOPS AND CONFERENCES

Remediation of Chlorinated and Recalcitrant Compounds 1998
Monterey, California
Poster Paper: White-Rot Fungi Degradation of TCE

Waste Management Conference 1996
Greensboro, North Carolina
Poster Paper: Evaluation of PAH Degradation from Creosote-Treated Railroad Ties Using Specific Lignin degrading fungi

Remediation Technology Workshop 1994
University of Utah, Logan, Utah

Soil Bioremediation Conference/Workshop 1993
Cincinnati, Ohio

reneem@ncat.edu