Margaret Schedl, MSc

margaretschedl@gmail.com

Molecular Biologist with 8+ years of experience working in academic research laboratories. My broad range of work experience has allowed me to gain many laboratory techniques and the confidence to learn any new laboratory skill. I have managed a dynamic and multi-faceted laboratory space and trained 30+ individuals in SOPs and safety measures. I have a special interest in SOP development, and I take pride in generating clear and detailed documentation for reproducible science.

Skills

Laboratory Techniques: DNA and RNA extraction; qPCR, PCR, and PCR primer design; antibody staining and fluorescence microscopy; cell culture, transfection, and development of new cell lines; gel electrophoresis; bacteria plating, growth, OD, and cloning; virus purification, production and quantification; DNA sequencing

NGS Library Preparation Methods: Whole genome DNA, ddRAD DNA, EpiRAD DNA, historical DNA, amplicon DNA, exome capture DNA, ultra conserved element DNA, high molecular weight DNA for MinION, stranded mRNA, miRNA/piRNA

Laboratory Equipment: MinION, conventional Thermal Cycler systems, CFX Real-Time PCR System, TapeStation, Bioanalyzer, Qubit, NanoDrop, QSonica, Covaris Sonicator, BluePippin and PippinPrep, Biosafety cabinet, ultracentrifuge, brightfield and fluorescence microscopes

Data Analysis: R Studio, Geneious, ImageJ, BASH, python

Compliance & Quality Systems: GLP, SOPs, sterile technique, EHS safety requirements, Laboratory Risk Assessment

Soft Skills: Detailed documentation, meticulous scientific technique and organization, strong communicator, management experience, expert at training others, and adept at presenting data

Education

Aug 2022 – May 2024

Master of Science in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology | University of Kansas | Lawrence, Kansas

Passed Master’s Thesis Final Defense with honors

Aug 2014 – May 2018

Bachelor of Arts | Major in Biology | Occidental College | Los Angeles, California

GPA 3.83 out of 4.00, Magna cum Laude, Phi Beta Kapa member

Experience

Moore Laboratory of Zoology at Occidental College Aug. 2024-Oct. 2024

Molecular Biology and Genomics Consultant

  • Increased laboratory capacity for whole genome library preparation with historical DNA from 0% to 100%
  • SOP development and training of staff and students
  • DNA extraction
  • Equipment cleaning, monitoring, and maintenance
  • Workplace hazard and safety monitoring and training

The University of Kansas Aug. 2022–Jun. 2024

Graduate Research Assistant for Dr. Robert Unckless

  • DNA and RNA extraction. 500+ DNA libraries prepared. mRNA and mi/siRNA library preparation
  • Generation of two novel cell lines, cell transfection, cell toxicity assays, fluorescent cell imaging
  • In-vivo nano-injection SOP development resulting in a 95% decrease in variability of infectious dose
  • Purification of virus particles and high molecular weight virus DNA extraction with exonuclease treatment resulting in an average 1800% increase in virus DNA.
  • Development of an antibody-based viral titration SOP
  • qPCR and PCR, data analysis
  • Workplace hazard and safety monitoring and training
  • Mentoring an undergraduate and development of a mentoring program with the lab as a whole
  • Coursework in a Genomics Sequencing techniques and Cancer and Carcinogenesis class
  • Teaching as a TA for a Genetics class

The University of Kansas Oct. 2021-Aug. 2022

Laboratory Technician for Dr. Robert Unckless

  • DNA extraction, high molecular weight DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, and gel DNA extraction
  • Design of a virus genome cloning experiment using CRISPR-Cas technology
  • Model organism care
  • SOP development

The University of Rhode Island Aug. 2018-Aug. 2021

Laboratory Manager and Research Assistant for Dr. Hollie Putnam, Dr. Jon Puritz, and Dr. Carlos Prada

  • DNA and RNA extraction, 1000+ DNA and RNA samples prepared for NGS sequencing
  • Management, oversight, training, and organization of a 3 PI shared lab space from a low-capacity under-utilized space to a full capacity high functioning lab shared by 20+ graduate and undergraduate students
  • SOP testing, development, and training
  • NGS RNASeq data analysis and statistical analysis
  • Workplace hazard and safety monitoring and training

Moore Laboratory of Zoology at Occidental College Aug. 2017-Aug. 2018

Research Student

Occidental College Aug. 2016-Aug. 2018

Zebrafish Husbandry Assistant for Dr. Joseph Shultz

Washington University in St. Louis Medical School May 2016-Aug. 2016 and May 2017-Aug. 2017

Laboratory Assistant for Dr. Lila Solnica-Krezel

Cosman Shell Collection at Occidental College Aug. 2015-May 2016

Collection Curator

Washington University in St. Louis Medical School May 2014-Aug. 2014 and May 2016-Aug. 2016

Zebrafish Facility Assistant

Documentation

  • Development of comprehensive and lab specific open-access training programs and documents for GLP and lab safety procedures while at URI (available here), and while at KU (available upon request)
  • Generated open access documentation of all lab SOPs used while at URI: here, and documentation of SOPs and code used while at KU: here
  • Generated online open lab notebooks while at URI: here and here and at KU: here
  • Developed and implemented return to research plans following the COVID-19 pandemic at URI by monitoring compliance of lab users and maintaining detailed lab usage schedules, as well as created remote video training modules via Zoom or YouTube, see https://tinyurl.com/3qwfnt73

Professional Development and Service

  • Training: Empowering People to Break the Bias Habit: Evidence-Based Approaches to Reduce Bias, Create Inclusion, and Promote Equity workshop at KU, 2024
  • Training: Safe Zone II: Unpacking QT Intersectionality at KU. 2023
  • Training: Safe Zone I: QT 101 at KU. 2023
  • Training: Making Observations & Requests in Compassionate Communication at KU. 2022
  • Training: Introduction to Compassionate Communication training at KU. 2022
  • Training: Mental Health First Aid at URI. 2021
  • Volunteer at the Prairie Park Nature Center, Lawrence KS, Oct 2021-June 2024: approximately 650 hours
  • Member of VOICES (Voices of Inclusion in Communities of Education and Science) at URI. 2020-2021: Lead and participated in discussion of “Race, Equity, and the Learning Environment – The Global Relevance of Critical and Inclusive Pedagogies in Higher Education”

Publications

Schedl, M.E., Mulkey, K.M., Unckless, R.L. (in prep). The study of the Drosophila innubila Nudivirus in cells and flies

Masters Thesis: “Development of Animal, Cellular, and Molecular Resources for the Drosophila innubila Nudivirus (DiNV) System” published on ProQuest, (2024).

Schedl, M.E., Nguyen, N.H, Unckless, R.L, Perlmutter, J.I. (2024). Maintenance and Evaluation of Wolbachia Male-Killers of Dipterans. Methods Mol Biol., 2739: 29-53.

Ramirez, B.R., … Schedl, M.E., … and McCormack, J.E. (2024). “Convergent niche shifts of endangered parrots (genus Amazona) during successful establishment in urban southern California.” Diversity and Distributions, e13817.

Perlmutter, J.I., Atadurdyyeva, A., Schedl, M.E., and Unckless, R.L. (2023). “Wolbachia enhances the survival of Drosophila infected with fungal pathogens.” bioRxiv, doi.org/10.1101/2023.09.30.560320.

Tsai, W.L.E., Schedl, M.E., Maley, J.M., & McCormack, J.E. (2019). More than skin and bones: Comparing extraction methods and alternative sources of DNA from avian museum specimens. Molecular Ecology Resources, 20.5: 1220-1227.