Amanda Ruff

Background

About Amanda Ruff

Throughout my career, I have gained extensive experience in genetics and molecular laboratories, as well as in various other professions such as retail, education, and safety. In my current role, I have successfully completed an annual grant report, RPPR. I am skilled at procuring and anticipating materials for both administrative and laboratory tasks. I am adept at leading and facilitating major meetings, including the creation of agendas and the organization of action items. Additionally, I have spearheaded the planning and design of a one-day conference that brought together three universities, multiple community groups, and NIH assigned members of the program steering committee. My skill set has been shaped by my previous positions and research endeavors. I have worked as a research technician, science instructor at different educational levels, an IRB student member, a laboratory trainer, and even as a retail manager. These roles have allowed me to cultivate leadership qualities, critical thinking abilities, and effective communication skills with individuals from diverse backgrounds. As a POTUS fellow, I dedicated my time to conducting research on the intersection of cancer and environmental contaminants. I had the privilege of presenting my findings at various prestigious events and conferences. I was honored to receive an invitation from ASBMB to present my most recent findings on organotin and organochlorine compounds during an Immuno-signaling focus session at the 2022 annual meeting. During my time at VANTAGE, I successfully instructed several new technicians on lab safety, script automation use, and various protocols. My weekly responsibilities included direct customer interactions, NGS prep, and the storage of human samples, including those from the ACTG, AIDS clinical trial network. As the primary processor, I ensured the proper handling and storage of these samples, as Vanderbilt Medical Center served as the central international storage facility. As an IRB student member, I was responsible for the initial review and organization of new projects, ensuring that all necessary documentation was obtained and that the research adhered to the boundaries set by the HHS Common Rule. As an associate scientist, I contributed to IBC and IACUC protocols, additionally focusing on tasks such as panel and protocol construction for flow cytometry, and organ collection. In addition to my laboratory experience, I have also spent ten years as an instructor.