Abby Basya Finkelstein

Education

Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ August 2012 - present

PhD in Animal Behavior

Brandeis University, Waltham, MA Sep. 2009 - May 2013

Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience

University of Otago, Dunedin, NZ June – Nov. 2011

Study Abroad

Scholarships and Awards

Creative Writing Expression Award (2009)

Illinois Distinguished Fellowship (2013)

ASU Graduate Recruitment Fellowship (2013-2014)

ASU RTI Graduate Training Fellowship Award (2014)

NSF Graduate Research Fellow (2014-2019)

CLAS Graduate Excellence Award (2014)

SOLS Travel Award (2015)

Posters

Anika Larson, Sisi Gao, Hillary Emick, Steven Hart, Katherine Larrimore, Amanda Suchy, Anni Poetzl,1 Vicki Moore, Abigail Finkelstein, Joey Tran, Tsafrir Mor. “Teaching biology in a maximum-security prison unit: Notes, feedback, and recommendations from a pilot class.” AAAS, San Jose, CA, February 12-16, 2015.

Abby Finkelstein, Gro Amdam, Martin Giurfa. “The Influence of Experience on Aptitude for Aversive and Appetitive Learning (Apis mellifera).” Frontiers in Insect Behavior, Social Organisation & Evolution, Wurzburg, Germany, May 23-30, 2014.

Abby Finkelstein, Jake Seemann, Gro Amdam, Martin Giurfa. “Influence of Experience on Apis mellifera Sucrose Responsiveness.” Biology and Genomics of Social Insects, Cold Spring Harbor, NYC, May 2-5, 2015.

Research Experience

Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ August 2013-present

PhD Student

Social Insect Research Group: Amdam Laboratory

· Project: Influence of Learning and Social Experience on Apis mellifera Stimulus Sensitivity

Harvard University, Cambridge, MA May 2012-August 2013

Intern

Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology: Pierce Laboratory

· Worked on establishing laboratory colonies of halictid bees

· Conducted field work to collect samples of halictid bees, and to find and excavate nests

· Dissected and prepared samples of bees for transcriptomic analysis

· Compiled a database of information about halictid species from the existing literature

Brandeis University, Waltham, MA Sept. 2010-June 2011

Research Assistant

Department of Neuroscience: Griffith Laboratory

· Investigated the genetic components of the pheromone based behavior of Drosophila melanogaster by conducting courtship and sleep experiments.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, MA May 2010-August 2010

Intern

Biomarker Research and Translational Pharmacology

· Investigated the mechanism of action of drug candidates

o Cellular fractionation and protein quantitation (BCA, 2D Quant)

o Preparation of large format acrylamide gels and DIGE labeling and electrophoresis

o Antibody characterizations

Brandeis University, Waltham, MA June 2009-May 2010

Research Assistant

Department of Neuroscience: Birren Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology

· Studied the role of Bone Morphogenetic Protein in the differentiation of glial cells and neurons in mice

o Mouse perfusions

o Free-floating immunohistochemistry and slide mounting of brain tissue slices

o Microscope imaging of neural tubes

· Assisted in taste aversion experiments with rats

Teaching Experience

Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ Jan. 2014-May 2014

Innovative Teaching Assistant for Animal Biology Lecture

· Facilitated in-class activities and led review sessions

· Wrote exam questions and graded assignments

Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ Sept. 2013-Dec.2013

Innovative Teaching Assistant for Cell Biology Lecture

· Led pre-test review sessions and held office hours

· Graded exams and assignments

Brandeis University, Waltham, MA Jan. 2013–May 2013

Teaching Assistant for Introduction to Behavioral Neuroscience

· Led bi-weekly recitations and held one-on-one tutoring sessions to review material

· Graded exams and wrote exam questions

Lexington, MA Nov. 2011-May 2012

Chemistry Tutor

· Tutored high school students in chemistry for the AP and SAT Subject Test exams

Bedford High School, Bedford, MA May 2006-May 2009

Tutor and Counselor

· Prepared high school students for SATs (math, reading, writing)

· Tutored middle and high school students in algebra and pre-calculus

· Counseled in a summer math program for advanced middle school students

Extracurricular and Volunteer Activities

Prison Biology, Phoenix, AZ Dec. 2014-present

Curriculum designer and teacher

· Teaching a biology course in the maximum security Browning unit at the Florence State Prison

Flight 33, Guadalupe, AZ Oct. 2014 – present

Mentor

· Working with students at the Pascua Yaqui tribe center

Shades Mentor, Tempe, AZ Mar 2015 – present

· Providing support and mentorship to a first year PhD student

Graduate Partners in Science Education, Tempe, AZ Sept. 2013-present

· Preparing and teaching weekly after-school science programs for 6th-8th grade students

Ask a Biologist, Tempe, AZ Sept. 2013-present

· Answering biology-related questions from the public

Bug Theater, AZ Sept. 2013-present

· Entomology outreach

Laurel Moon Literary Magazine, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA Sept. 2009-May 2013

Poetry and Short Story Writer

Areopagitica Philosophy Club, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA Sept. 2010-March 2011

Club Leader

Maristhill Nursing Home, Waltham, MA Sept. 2009-May 2011

Weekly Volunteer

Longy School of Music, Cambridge, MA Sept. 2003-2009

Singer and Pianist

Languages: Russian (fluent), French (conversational)