San Diego State University, San Diego CA Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics Emphasis in Statistics Minor Business Management GPA: Overall: 3.78/4.0 Major: 3.90/4.0 Expected May 2019
HONORS AND AWARDS NIH/NIGMS Maximizing Access to Research Careers Scholar 2017-Present NSF-Summer Undergraduate Research Program Scholar 2018 Dean’s List 2015-2018 Outstanding Peer Advising Nominee 2018 Barry Goldwater Campus representative 2018
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Research Assistant 2017-present Department of Mathematics and Statistics San Diego State University Advisor: Toni Luque, PhD In the Luque Lab, I am participating in a project that models phage behavior in limiting bacterial growth conditions. Phages are the viruses that infect bacteria and play a key role in various ecosystems, including the human body. In order to progress in growing biomedical fields involving phage and bacteria dynamics, such as phage therapy, it is vital to understand how phages behave in different conditions. By creating a dynamical model to assess phage behavior within the bacteria in an environment with limiting conditions, we are able to address this problem.
Research Assistant 2017- 2018 Department of Mathematics and Statistics San Diego State University Advisor: Janet Bowers, PhD Active learning has been found to increase the effectiveness of teaching as a whole. However, it is often difficult to incorporate active learning opportunities in higher level education and thus is usually not utilized in college courses. As an instructional student assistant and research assistant for pre-calculus I work closely with Dr. Janet Bowers to create, modify, and teach lab sections outside of the lecture to facilitate learning in an active manner.
Research Mentee May 21-31 2017 Department of Mathematical Biology Duke University Supervisor: Micheal Reed, PhD Mentor: Will Duncan As part of the 10 day biomath workshop at Duke University, each undergraduate was paired with a graduate student, postdoc, or professor to work on a research project. I was paired with a graduate student, William Duncan, to work on a project called Synaptic Strength and Learning. Initial research was performed in order to gain the necessary biology background to understand the problem contextually. Once I became familiar with synaptic plasticity, I simulated a neural network and developed computational skills to access the information processing capabilities of neurons. Within the simulation, mathematical techniques such as the Hebbian learning rules were utilized as well as principle component analysis.
Summer Research Intern Summer 2018 Center for Neural Science New York University New York, NY PI: Cristina Savin, PhD Mapped the input-output function of neurons located in the CA3 portion of the hippocampus—the region in the brain driving memory storage —to understand how neuronal connections within the hippocampus function in order to tackle disorders relating to memory and learning.
PRESENTATIONS Tomassi N, Luque A. Stochastic Modeling of Phage Survival in Limiting Bacterial Growth Conditions. Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students. Indianapolis, IN. 2018
Tomassi N, Luque A. Stochastic Modeling of Phage Survival in Limiting Bacterial Growth Conditions. Undergraduate Research Symposium. San Diego, CA. 2018
Tomassi N, Savin C. Mapping the Input-Output Function of a Single CA3 Principal Cell in the Context of an Associative Memory Task. Center for Neural Science New York University Summer Undergraduate Research Program Symposium. New York, NY. 2018
Tomassi N, Hellfeier J, Luque A. Modeling Phage Survival in Limiting Bacterial Growth Conditions. Student Research Symposium. San Diego, CA. 2018
Tomassi N, Hellfeier J, Luque A. Modeling Phage Survival in Limiting Bacterial Growth Conditions. Experimental Biology Conference. San Diego, CA. 2018
Tomassi N, Hellfeier J, Luque A. Modeling of Phage Survival in Limiting Bacterial Growth Conditions. Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students. Phoenix, AZ. 2017
Tomassi N, Hellfeier J, Luque A. Modeling of Phage Survival in Limiting Bacterial Growth Conditions. Undergraduate Research Symposium. San Diego, CA. 2017
Tomassi N, Moore B, Duncan W, Reed M. Synaptic Strength and Learning. Duke University Mathematical Biology Workshop. Raleigh, NC. 2017
TEACHING AND MENTORING EXPERIENCE
SDSU Aztec Mentor Program 2018-Present executive board member
Serve as a student representative to discuss how the Aztec Mentor Program could be improved
Tutor 2018-Present Math Learning Center San Diego State University San Diego, CA
Weekly tutor multiple students at the Math Learning Center at SDSU in any lower division math class to include: pre-calculus, calculus 1 &2, multivariable calculus, discrete mathematics, linear algebra, business calculus, and statistics.
Private Tutor 2017 San Diego, CA
Privately tutored a high schooler in pre-calculus for one year.
Instructional Student Assistant 2017 San Diego State University San Diego, CA
Conducted small break out sections of about 30 students outside of lecture to engage active learning in pre-calculus classes
Supplemental Instruction Leader 2016 San Diego State University San Diego, CA
Facilitated a support section for commuter, first-generation, or students from low-income families entering STEM fields by creating activities, developing study techniques, and providing resources to foster growth and development.
CAMPUS INVOLVEMENT AND OUTREACH
SDSU College of Sciences Student Success Center 2017-Present Founding Peer Advisor President
With collaboration of ten other peers and under the lead of Dr. Emilio Ulloa, we created a space where science students could come to seek advising with major-related classes, as well as receive resources and programs to promote all-around success.
Volunteer STEM Panelist 2018 Compact for Success 7th grade visit
Served on a panel at SDSU for 7th graders and families to learn about being a student in STEM.
Volunteer 2018 SDSU Academic Involvement Expo
Represented the College of Sciences Student Success Center at an involvement fair for undergraduate students.
Volunteer Presenter 2018 SDSU College of Sciences Student Success Center
Lead a presentation and panel for undergraduate students on how to become involved in research.
Volunteer Presenter 2018 SDSU Pre-Maximizing Access to Research Careers
Research presentation to freshmen interested in research
Volunteer 2016 & 2018 Explore SDSU
Guided prospective students and parents around campus and represented several clubs
Panelist 2017 Hoover High Outreach San Diego, CA
Served on a panel at a local high school for students for at-risk to encourage higher education
SDSU Women in Science Society 2017
Participated in a student organization promoting and encouraging women in science
SDSU Kappa Alpha Theta 2017 Scholarship Director
Promoted academic success among a national sorority and monitored grades to ensure all members were performing to standards. Volunteer trash collector 2017 Mission Beach Cleanup San Diego, CA
Collected trash at Mission Beach to reduce contamination and pollution along the shoreline.