CV

Education

B.S. in Quantitative Biology (minor in Computer Science) in progress, University of Southern California, 2021
A.S. in Biology, Engineering, and General Sciences, Rio Hondo College, 2019
A.D.T in Biology, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Rio Hondo College, 2019

Internships

11/2018 - present: Undergraduate Bioinformatics Research Assistant
- University of Southern California
- Center for Dark Energy Biospheres Investigations
- Mentor: John Heidelberg, Ph.D, and Ben Tully, Ph.D
06/2018 - 08/2018: Bioinformatics Intern
- Cornell University, New York
- Boyce Thompson Institute
- Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates
- Created a pangenome for Solanum habrochaites.
- Mentor: Zhangjun Fei, Ph.D, and Lei Gao, Ph.D
01/2018 - 06/2018: Scientific Exchange Internship
- University of California - Los Angeles, CA, and Rio Hondo College - Whittier, CA
- UCLA Center for Biological Physics
- Modeled population dynamics and ecological networks in a “Random Walker” scenario.
- Mentor: Alex Levine, Ph.D
06/2017 - 08/2017: REU Intern
- University of Southern California
- Center for Dark Energy Biospheres Investigations
- Community College Cultivation Cohort
- Led team of 4 in characterization of novel, iron-oxidizing chemolithoautotrophic bateria.
- Mentor: Jan Amend, Ph.D, and Roman Barco, Ph.D

Programs

11/2017 - 03/2018: NASA Community Aerospace Scholars
- AMES Research Facility
- Focus on learning about NASA.
- Led software team in building a programming a model rover.
- Mentor: Ali Guarneros Luna, TechEdSat 8 CSO
08/2016 - 06/2017: CA/NASA Science Consortium Grant
- Rio Hondo Community College, Whittier, CA
- Led team in building and programming sensor to collect GPS, CO_2 concentration, and weather data.
- Presented RC-style rover with embedded sensor at Armstrong Flight Research Center, 08/2017.
- Mentors: Gisela Spieler-Persad, Ph.D, and Chris Vaca, Ph.D
08/2016 - 06/2017: Cengage Learning Student Advisory Team
- Work with product developers to create useful programs and software for students.

Work experience

08/2018 - 08/2019: Academic Facilitator
- Rio Hondo College, Whittier, CA - Math, Science, Engineering, and STEM (MESA/TRiO) Center
- Facilitator for calculus-based physics focusing in special relativity and electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, and thermodynamics.
- Prepare weekly workshops for guided group study based on current curriculum.
- Regularly meet with instructor to ensure that workshops support content held in class.
- Supervisor: Gisela Spieler-Persad, Ph.D
01/2017 - 06/2018: Tutor
- Rio Hondo College, Whittier, CA - Learning Assistance Center (LAC)
- Hourly tutor for Inorganic chemistry, mathematics up to linear algebra, calculus-based physics for freshman, C++ and intro to computer technology, intro to music fundamentals.
- Supervisor: Moises Mata
06/2016 - 02/2017: Assistant Manager
- Nova Storage LLC, San Gabriel Valley, CA
- Day-to-day management of self-storage facility.
10/2012 - 07/2016: Team Leader
- Target store T-1425, Pico Rivera, CA
- Pricing and Presentation Team Leader
- Cafe Team Leader
- Human Resources Team Member

Skills

Programming
- Python - Flask, NumPy, Pandas, Django
- JavaScript (jQuery)
- Rust
- C++
- Linux (Ubuntu/bash)
- Arduino and Raspberry Pi microcontroller
Public Speaking
- Local parliamentary debate competitions
- Research poster competitions
General chemistry and biology laboratory skills
Music and Art
- Clarinet
- Former music major - piano
- Rio Hondo Summer 2016 - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Publications

Genome Sequence of Hydrogenovibrio sp. Strain SC-1, a Chemolithoautotrophic Sulfur and Iron Oxidizer

C. J. Neely, C. B. Khalil, A. Cervantes, R. Diaz, A. Escobar, K. Ho, S. Hoefler, H. Smith, K. Abuyen, P. Savalia, K. H. Nealson, D. Emerson, B. J. Tully, R. A. Barco, and Jan Amend. "Genome sequence of Hydrogenovibrio sp. SC-1, a Chemolithoautotrophic, Sulfur and Iron Oxidizer." In: Genome Announcements http://genomea.asm.org/content/6/5/e01581-17.

MetaSanity: An integrated microbial genome evaluation and annotation pipeline

Christopher J Neely, Elaina D Graham, Benjamin J Tully, MetaSanity: An integrated microbial genome evaluation and annotation pipeline, Bioinformatics, , btaa512, https://doi.org/10.1093/bioinformatics/btaa512

Service and leadership

Designed website for Last Chance Project organization through SELVA International/EcoMedia
- Focus on disseminating media related to environmental and ecological issues
Academic Facilitator - created curriculum for classes, modeling the instructor.
- Significant increase in pass rate for calculus-based physics.
Former Team Leader at Target Corp
- Supported a team culture.
- Drove sales, payroll, and productivity.
- Focus on team communication and recognition in all departments.

Awards, Honors, and Achievements

2020 Hispanic Scholarship Foundation Scholar
2020 Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship at USC winner (Gupta Family Fellowship)
2020 Alpha Lambda Delta Honors Society
2019 Rio Hondo College Outstanding Student Award - Biology
2018 Rio Hondo College Outstanding Student Award - Engineering
2018 Great Minds in STEM/HENAAC Scholarship recipient
2018 Boyce Thompson Institute Poster Conference - 1st Place
2018 Grow with Google Udacity Scholarship (Android programming)
Rio Hondo College Dean’s List Fall 2016 - Fall 2019
2017 Student travel scholarship to SACNAS conference

Christopher Neely

CV