Kristian Van Slyke

Laboratory Research Assistant

Arvada, Colorado, United States

About

I am personally and professionally dedicated to understanding how the human mind, brain, and body are affected by disease and disorder, and what treatments and therapies can be used to better those with ailments to the mind and body. Specifically, I am interested in how biological and biochemical science can be applied to developing and furthering treatment for neurological disease and neurodivergence, as well as interacting with, treating, and aiding those with said maladies. My current research interests are neurodegenerative diseases, neurodivergence, and neurochemistry.

Experience

  • Entry Level Laboratory Research Assistant at University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
    Dec 2024 - Present · 1 yr 7 mos

    Research involved studying the effects of certain toxins, often aspirated, with regard to multiorgan damage. Responsibilities include data recording, study design, rodent handling, rodent injections and necropsy, chemical solutions preparation, medication preparation for administration, histopathology of lungs, lung tissue imbedding and sectioning, histology staining, biochemical assays such as ELISA, microbiology of lung lavage fluid and blood, blood draws, rodent phlebotomy, blood tests such as ABG, CBC, and ClinChem, tissue fixation, behavioral analysis of animals via battery of tests (adhesive removal, rotarod), animal observation for health and disease, vital signs (MouseOx), data management, data entry, statistical analysis of data, data presentation, computer and software management of laboratory programs.

  • Apex Park and Recreation District (Arvada, CO · On-site)
    • Guest Services Representative
      May 2021 - Present · 5 yrs 2 mos

      Provided customer service, especially to disabled, elderly, and marginalized populations, admitted patrons to facilities, and coordinated recreational activities through Microsoft 365 across three departments. Additionally, trained new guest services employees and formally documented and recorded workplace incidents

    • Senior Lifeguard
      Sep 2024 - Present · 1 yr 10 mos

      Supervised lifeguards, coordinated recreational activities through Microsoft 365, led the documentation of injuries and incidents, and maintained proper pool chemistry. Continued all responsibilities from the lifeguard role.

    • Lifeguard
      May 2022 - Sep 2024 · 2 yrs 5 mos

      Monitored patron safety, primarily in pool areas, and provided first aid to patrons across three departments and five different locations. Additionally, performed pool maintenance, and provided customer service, especially to disabled, elderly, and marginalized populations. Certified for deep water lifeguarding, first aid, and basic life support.

  • University of Mary (On-site)
    • Laboratory Intern
      Sep 2023 - Apr 2024 · 8 mos

      Undergraduate Research Intern for the Biggane Lab continuing research from SURVE. Responsibilities involved aseptic technique, media changes, passaging, monitoring and characterization, banking, culture counts, imaging cultures, microscopy, computational analysis of cell count data, gene expression analysis, gel-electrophoresis, Western blotting, and literature review.

    • Laboratory Intern
      Jun 2023 - Aug 2023 · 3 mos

      Summer Undergraduate Research Vocational Experience Intern for the Biggane Lab at the University of Mary. Research studied the effects of bioelectricity on the cell cycle and cell division in cells, specifically in K562 and HepG2 cancer cells using digoxin as a sodium-potassium ion pump inhibitor. Responsibilities involved aseptic technique, media changes, passaging, monitoring and characterization, banking, culture counts, imaging cultures, microscopy, computational analysis of cell count data, gene expression analysis, gel-electrophoresis, Western blotting, and literature review.