Aurora (Rory) VanGarde
2210 NW 29th St
Corvallis, OR 97330
503-453-4793
Education
PhD in Public Health Policy, focus in Genetic Technology and International Policy, Oregon State University Anticipated Graduation June 2017
MPH in International Health, Program of Study: Epidemiological Approach to Upstream International Health, Oregon State University June 2013
B.S. Bioresource Research Interdisciplinary Sciences, Applied Genetics, with a Minor in
Chemistry, Oregon State University June 2011
Research and Teaching Experiences
Graduate Teaching Assistant, Instructor for H312 September 2014-Present
Teach Junior and Senior undergraduate class of 70 students, HIV/AIDS and STIs in Contemporary Society. Prepare and deliver lectures; create quizzes, exams, activities; grade papers and exams; respond to student needs in large lecture course. Instructor of record for the course.
Graduate Research Assistant, CPHHS June 2014-Present
Assist College of Public Health and Human Sciences professors with ongoing research projects. Identifying datasets, collecting data, statistical analysis, identifying resources, organizing materials for future grant proposals.
Graduate Research Assistant, Global Health Center September 2013-June 2014
Research Assistant involved in startup of Global Health Center at Oregon State University. Presentations to pitch center, development of center ideals (mission, values, vision), creating budget, survey of alumni and current students, meeting with potential partners. Center launch included Inaugural Symposium which included activities of event planning, arranging schedules for international guests, and preparing for the college launch of the Center.
Research Assistant February 2013 –June 2014
Working with Dr. Chunhuei Chi of the International Health Program on projects focusing on critical assessment of international health programs, and ethical foundation of international health programs. The tasks include literature review, contributions to two manuscripts, and contributions to presentations.
Graduate Teaching Assistant, Biology March 2012-Sept 2013
Prepare and teach recitations and labs, hold office hours, grade projects, proctor exams.
Intern, Caribbean Environmental Health Institute, St. Lucia July 2012-Sept 2012
Focus on natural spring water sources, visit sites, map and assess sources, conduct sanitary surveys, review laws, interview stakeholders and community members, conclude findings and recommendations in technical report. Update sanitary surveys and make recommendations for improving water source safety. Collaboration with Caribbean delegates, Ministry of Health, US CDC, WHO, PAHO, WRMA, various agencies and community members.
Graduate Teaching Assistant, Chemistry January 2012-March 2012
Prepare and teach recitations, run labs, hold office hours, proctor exams.
Student Worker, Research Lab June 2010-June 2012
Botany and Plant Pathology lab, Oregon State University. Working with tDNA insertions and mRNA decay pathways. Responsible for genotyping, DNA isolations, RNA extractions, running qRT and RT PCR samples, analyzing data, cloning, plating and sterilizing seeds, growing mutants, collecting seeds.
Undergraduate Student Worker, Research Lab January 2009-June 2011
Oregon State University Veterinary School laboratory, working with cancer cells and isolating stem cells from bone marrow for undergraduate research project entitled Telomere Binding Protein Antagonists for Stem Cell Therapy.
Professional Presentations
VanGarde A. 2013
St. Lucia Water Issues- Combination of Geography and Politics
Linn-Benton Community College, Latin American Geography Course Guest Lecture
Albany, OR. October 29, 2013
Chi C, Schoon R, VanGarde A, 2013
Center for Global Health- OSU’s Answer to Globalization
CPHHS Administrative Team Retreat
Salishan Lodge. August 21st 2013.
Chi C, Schoon R, Tuepker A, VanGarde A, 2013.
Political Economy of Global Health Development
9th World Congress of International Health Economics Association,
Sydney, Australia. July 7 – 10, 2013.
Chi C, VanGarde A. 2013.
Oregon Moves Toward Health Care for All- How do we turn legislation into reality?
Town Hall Meeting,
Corvallis, OR. March 7, 2013.
Chi C, VanGarde A. Schoon R. Alvarado C. 2013.
The Future of Health Care in Oregon
Oregon State House Health Care Committee Testimony
Salem, OR April 5th 2013
Chi C, VanGarde A. 2013.
Against Golden Rule – A Critical Ethical Foundation of International Health.
Accepted for an oral presentation at the 10th Western Regional International Health Conference, Portland, OR. April 5 – 7, 2013.
VanGarde A. 2013
Genetically Modified Foods: What are they, Are they ethical, Who decides?
OSU-NYMU Videoconference Presenter
June 4th (Pacific Time)/June 5th (Taiwan Time) 2013
VanGarde A. 2013.
Presenter
St. Lucia Spring Water Sources
Global Environmental Health Study Group
Corvallis, OR. April 12th 2013
Chi C, VanGarde A, Schoon R. 2013.
Session Organizer and Panel Presenter
Upstream Global Health: Towards Sustainability and Equity in Health Development.
3rd International Health Conference,
Corvallis, OR May 18-19, 2013.
Work Experiences
School Representative, International Service Learning Sept 2009-August 2011
Recruit students to travel to non-industrialized countries to give free medical aid. Meet with interested students, relay information, explain opportunities.
Campus Tour Leader Sept 2009-June 2011
Lead classes of middle school and high school students from ‘high risk’ and low-income districts through OSU. Work with GEAR-UP camp programs during summer. Teach students that college is for everyone, how to prepare for college, work with parents to relay information about FASFA and governmental aid for college assistance.
First Baptist Church, Sunday School Teacher Sept 2009-August 2011
Prepare lesson plans, maintain classroom of 4th and 5th graders, teach class.
Teaching Assistant, ALS 199 Life from Scratch Fall Term, 2010
Lead sections of class, hold office hours, assist professor, prepare lectures, assemble student panel, identify students in need of extra assistance.
Medical Aid Mission, Hike for Humanity Sept 2009
Provided medical aid to rural communities in Nicaragua, worked in small urban clinics in Costa Rica. Diagnosed illnesses and prescribed treatments. Aided in minor surgeries and teeth extraction.
Royal Ridges Horse Camp, Wrangler Summer 2009
Teach riding lessons, manage herd of 50+ horses, led Bible studies, in charge of junior staff and campers. Led activities, managed time and high-energy teens.
Job shadow at Good Samaritan Hospital Summer 2009
Work with genetic counselor to learn more about related professions.
OSU Services for Students with Disabilities Sept 2008-June 2009
Take and provide notes for physics, statistics, and other upper-division courses for students in the class with disabilities.
VanHeusen Corporation, Sales Associate June 2006 – June 2009
Sales Associate position requires good customer relations, cashier and marketing work.
Volunteer Services
1. Las Palmas de Mamré (Costa Rica and Nicaragua), US support team and fundraiser.
2. SNAPS- Elderly Population Community Organizing for Healthy Communities.
3. League of Women Voters, Student Rep for OSU food committee.
4. Campus Tours to potential students; Volunteer With Kids volunteer.
5. Volunteer with OSU PreCollege Programs.
6. Sigma Alpha Phi, OSU Student Leadership group.
7. Missio Dei community services.
8. Rockwall Climbing group.
Scholarships and Awards
1. Warren and Federica Schad Fellowship.
2. CITI Ethical Research Course, 2013.
3. NIH Course Certification, 2011.
4. Celebrating Undergraduate Excellence Poster Competition Presenter.
5. OSU Diversity Achievement.
6. Local 290 Plumbers & Steamfitters; 2008 & 2009 & 2012 California Pipe Trades Scholarship Award.
7. Executive Dean’s List, OSU.
Intercultural Experiences:
1. 2 month Internship at Caribbean Environmental Health Institute, St. Lucia 2012.
2. 3 ½ week Agricultural Tour of France, Germany, Belgium, and Netherlands, 2011.
3. 3 ½ week Hike for Humanity through indigenous tribes of Nicaragua and Costa Rica delivering
medical aid, 2009.
Languages:
English, Spanish.
VanGarde CV, page 1 of 4