Stuart Skabo

35 Swann Road Taringa Brisbane Australia 4068 Phone (07) 3700 9849 or 0411 821 248
E-mail: nghtchld at selfsame dot com

Summary

A dedicated worker and quick learner who possesses a sound knowledge of the theory and practice of molecular biology with four years experience in research and diagnostic organisations. Possesses excellent communication skills with a record of delivering complex reports on time. Has demonstrated the ability to establish, maintain and complete projects, independently or as part of a team. Continuing interest in and desire to work with science.

Contents
 Top
 Education
 Experience
 Skills
Travel
 Scholarships
 Interests
 Referees

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Educational Qualifications and Achievements

University of Tasmania at Hobart

    • First Class Honors in Molecular Biology, 1995, resulting in novel discoveries and published as;

    • Skabo, S.J., Chuah, M.I. and West, A.K. (1997) Metallothioneins 1 and 2 are expressed in the olfactory mucosa of mice in untreated animals and during the regeneration of the epithelial layer. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 232(1):136-42
    • Bachelor of Science, life sciences degree, 1994, offered Honors position before end of degree examinations. 
    • Consistently ranked in the top few students in my university course. Dux of Alanvale College and earned one of only 13 places at the National Chemistry Olympiad summer training school in 1991. 
Queens Trust Young Leaders Forum
    • Earned a scholarship to attend the 1999 Queens Trust Young Leaders Forum in Sydney, as one of one hundred 25 to 30 year olds from across Australia. During this uniquely valuable forum I was priviledged to exchange ideas, experiences and knowledge with some of the most outstanding young Australians and invited guest speakers.
    • Gained a deep insight into the most important economic, environmental and social challenges that face current and future Australian policy makers. 
Relevant Experience 

Research Assistant      1999 -2000(June)
Royal Hobart Hospital, Molecular Endocrinology Laboratory, MEN1 Research Group 

    • Developed a genetic screening protocol for a disease causing single nucleotide polymorphism, found in a large Tasmanian family,  based on PCR and fluorescent cycle-sequencing.
    • Successfully prepared the Royal Hobart Hospital’s Molecular Endocrine Laboratory for NATA (accreditation of its’ genetic screening and diagnostic protocols. 
    • Budgeted, inventoried for and completed a loss of heterozygosity/microsatellite study on a panel of paraffin embedded tumor tissues utilising microdissection, histological and PCR techniques. 
    • Carried out a mRNA fusion gene expression project in paraffin embedded tumour tissues involving technically difficult extraction and RT-PCR procedures. 

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Research Assistant      1996 -1998
Cooperative Research Centre for Sustainable Production Forestry , Molecular Biology Group, U.Tas.
    • Undertook, co-wrote and published a population genetics study of Eucalyptus globulus utilising RAPD markers; 

    • S. Skabo, R. E. Vaillancourt and B. M. Potts (1998) Fine-scale genetic structure of Eucalyptus globulus ssp. globulus forest. Australian Journal of Botany. 46 (5,6): 583-594
    • Designed and carried out a genetic quality control project for a forestry industry group, published as;

    • Vaillancourt, R.E., Skabo, S. and Gore, P.L. (1998) Fingerprinting for quality control in breeding and deployment. Australian Forestry. 61(3):207-210
    • Participated in a variety of fieldwork including extensive sampling of eucalypt populations, the cloning, raising and planting of eucalypts in a trial plantation and recording the locations of previously tagged parental trees using a GPS (global positioning system). 
    • Performed statistical analysis and prepared reports for the organisation, on population genetics studies, using software on both PC and Macintosh computers. 
    • Created an E.globulus clonal library and used a chemiluminescent detection system to isolate novel nuclear microsatellite sequences. Designed and developed primers to amplify these sequences from genomic DNA.
Technical Processing Officer 1998
Tasmanian Red Cross Blood Bank, Hobart
    • Responsible for processing fresh blood donations into a variety of blood products demonstrating the ability to work closely and flexibly with other workers under stressful, time-constrained conditions. 
    • Continually maintained the strict quality control standards (ISO and NATA) and meticulous safety requirements necessary for national accreditation of the blood bank.
    • Assisted with the punctual and efficient delivery of blood products to Tasmanian hospitals and interstate organisations. (Contents) | (Top) 
Related Skills 
    • Understanding of the technology and software used in modern businesses and the ability and desire to ensure that the potential of such technology is fully realised in the workplace. 
    • Proficiency with numerous software applications on both Macintosh and Windows computers including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Netscape, Windows95/98 and Office97. 
    • Excellent research skills utilising hard copy library media, computer databases (CD-ROMs, electronic catalogues and journal indices) and Internet resources (literature, sequence and other databases, science oriented Web sites and newsgroups). 
International Experience

Travelled to Peru and Bolivia for two months in mid-2000, and 12 countries in North America, Europe and South East Asia during 1998 

    • Developed my ability to rapidly assimilate and analyse complex information so as to make effective decisions about the allocation of time and money. 
    • Proficient in everyday conversational Spanish both through after work classes and immersion in South American culture.
    • Expanded my communication skills through interactions with people from other cultures, and often with limited English language skills. (Contents) | (Top) 
Employment Scholarships

Vacation Scholarship Researcher 1994 -1995
Fisheries Division, CSIRO Marine Laboratories Hobart

    • Initiated experimental protocols for vitamin isolation from algae and subsequent HPLC analysis. 
    • Prepared and maintained sterile algal cultures in cooperation with other CSIRO officers.
Summer Research Scholarship 1994
University of Tasmania Chemistry Department
    • Awarded one of two scholarships during which I assisted a Ph.D. student in isolating and testing novel, biologically active compounds from marine organisms.
Personal Interests
    • Play in several social sports teams, 1997 Tasmanian foil fencing champion, enjoy hiking and camping. 
    • Enjoy reading, use the Internet to keep up with current events and to communicate with friends and peers around the world, perform occasional volunteer work for environmental groups. (Contents) | (Top) 


Referees

Doctor John Burgess
J.Burgess@utas.edu.au
Endocrinologist/Consultant
Dept. Endocrinology and Diabetes
Royal Hobart Hospital, Liverpool St. TAS, 7000
work ph 03 6226 4755 
Doctor Venkateswaran Parameswaran
 venkat.parameswaran@dchs.tas.gov.au
Senior Scientist, Dept. Endocrinology and Diabetes
Royal Hobart Hospital, Liverpool St. TAS, 7000
work ph 03 6226 4755
Dr Rene Vaillancourt
R.Vaillancourt@utas.edu.au
CRC for Sustainable Production Forestry
GPO Box 252-55, Hobart, Tasmania, 7001
work ph 03 6226 7137 
Dr Adrian West
A.West@utas.edu.au
Molecular Biology Unit
Dept. Biochemistry, University of Tasmania
Churchill Avenue, Sandy Bay, 7005 
work ph 03 6226 2595 fax: 03 6226 2703 
Professor Michael Clark
Michael.Clark@utas.edu.au
Dept. Biochemistry, University of Tasmania
Churchill Avenue, Sandy Bay, 7005
ph 03 6226 2672
Mr. Jim Kiss
Jim.Kiss@redcross.tas.org.au
Director of Processing, ARC Blood Bank
40 Melville St., Hobart, TAS., 7000
ph 03 6230 6230 fax 03 6230 6299

Stuart Skabo

4/63 Oxford Terrace Taringa Brisbane Australia 4068 Phone (07) 3870 3148 or 0411 821 248
E-mail: nghtchld@geocities.com   (c) 2000
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