Resume

Please see my resume below, or Download the PDF version at the bottom of this page. 

KARALYN S. RAMON, M.S.

mrskaralynramon@gmail.com

ACADEMIC PREPARATION:

• Ph.D. candidate in Molecular Biology, Genetics and Biochemistry, University of California , Irvine, 2001-04

• M.S. in Biology, California State University, Northridge, 1999-2001

  • With distinction

  • Concentrations: Molecular Biology, Genetics and Developmental Biology

  • Thesis: The role of signaling molecules in the formation of the adult head in Drosophila melanogaster

• B.S. in Biology, minor in Chemistry, California State University, Bakersfield, 1996-99

  • cum laude 

TEACHING EXPERIENCE:

• Science Instructor, 2013-present, Science Department, Windward School, Los Angeles, CA

  • Teaching: General Chemistry and General Biology.  Have also taught General and Honors Physics, Honors Chemistry, AP  Biology,  Honors Environmental Science and Robotics.

  • Boeing summer internship coordinator.

  • Faculty moderator of the Windward Surfrider Foundation Club and co-moderator of the Women in STEM Club.

  • Mentored FIRST Robotics Team 1452: Omnicats for the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC)

  • Chapter advisor for Windward's International Robotics Honors Society

  • Associate Science Department Chair 2017-18

    • Mentor faculty, instruction and learning and promote innovation within the department

• Science Instructor, 2007-13, Science Department, Loyola High School, Los Angeles, CA

  • Taught the following courses: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, AP Biology and Robotics

  • Developed and implemented Forensic Science, Robotics, and Green Engineering summer school courses for 6th - 8th grade students

  • Established a FIRST Robotics Team, Team 3408: the Killa-Byte Cubs, for the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC)

  • Established FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) Team 5184, and VEX Robotics Team 3408

  • Implemented a service project where seniors teach Robotics to students at inner-City Catholic K-8 schools as a platform for STEM education

• Science Instructor, 2004-07, Science Department, Notre Dame Academy, Los Angeles, CA

  • Taught the following courses: Honors Physics, Physics, AP Biology, Biology, Anatomy and Physiology

  • Developed and implemented a new Introduction to Laboratory Science class for Freshman

  • Coached Varsity and JV Swim teams.

  • Moderated the Senior and Sophomore classes.

  • Moderated the Women in Math and Science (WIMS) Club and the Goldstone Apple Valley Radio Telescope (GAVRT) Club.

• Teaching Associate, 2001-04, University of California, Irvine

  • Assisted in teaching the following courses: Cellular Biology and The Science of Food and Cooking

OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

• NSTA DSEC STEM Educator

  • Focused on increasing educator capacity to develop, implement, and revise STEM lessons through professional learning, mentoring, and membership in STEM organizations.

• PADI Divemaster and EFR Instructor

  • Introduce new divers to SCUBA diving by leading Discover SCUBA Diving (DSD) experiences.  Lead guided dives for certified divers and assist with SCUBA diving courses.  Teach and certify students in CPR, AED and First Aid.

• FIRST Robotics Coach/Mentor

  • Coach/Mentor for FIRST Robotics Teams 1452 (Windward School) and 3408 (Loyola High School Los Angeles)

  • Coach/Mentor of FIRST Lego League (FLL) Teams from St. Paul the Apostle School Westwood, CA

• VEX Robotics Judge

  • World Championships 2014

• Member of the UC Cadre of Experts, 2012-13

  • The Cadre of Experts are responsible for teaching and assisting other educators to develop rigorous, relevant curriculum; offer informal evaluations of courses prior to submission to UC ‘and are available to answer general questions pertaining to the “a-g” course development and submission process.

• Summer Science Coordinator, 2011-13, Loyola High School, Los Angeles, CA

  • Recruit and hire teachers and lab assistants for Loyola summer school science courses.  Lead the organization, planning and implementation of all eight of our summer school science courses for 6th-12th graders.

• UCCI – Green Building Design

  • Attended the University of California Curriculum Integration (UCCI) Institute on November 6-9, 2011.  The task of the institute was to create a single model course focusing on the “green” theme in architectural, structural, and civil engineering that integrates “d” – Laboratory Science (Interdisciplinary Science) subject area with the CTE Industry Sector Engineering and Technology that high schools statewide can adopt.

  • Created a “Green Building” course that meets both Laboratory Science and CTE requirements and is UC approved.

• Guest lecturer for the Discovery Science Center’s Science Speaker Series “The Science Behind CSI” November 2010

• College Board Pilot Teacher for the new AP Biology labs and exam (2011-2012)

• Teacher trainer for Ward’s Scientific, Fall 2008-13

  • Train teachers on how to incorporate Forensic Science activities into their classrooms.

• Consultant for Kendall Hunt Publishing, Fall 2008-13

• Graduate Research, Summer 2002-Spring 2004, University of California, Irvine

  • Analyzed microarray data from an investigation of pseudohyphal growth in Candida albicans

  • Examined white-opaque switching in Candida albicans

• Graduate Laboratory Rotations, Fall 2001-Spring 2002, University of California, Irvine

  • Analyzed microarray data from an achondroplasia study

  • Developed an expression vector system

  • Completed mutant complementation analysis in D. melanogaster

  • Conducted p-element mutagenesis assay in D. mealnogaster

• Research Associate, Summer 2001, Center for Biologics Evaluations and Research, Food and Drug Administration, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD

  • Conducted graduate research

  • The role of signaling molecules in the formation of the adult head in Drosophila melanogaster

PUBLICATIONS:

• Forensic Science: An Activity Based Guide to Crime Scene Investigation.  2013.  TPS Publishing.

• Forensic Science textbook for the Texas State Forensic Science High School curriculum (in press)

• Middle School Science textbook for Texas State Science curriculum (in progress)

• “Starting Off the Year Successfully with Forensic Science” in The Science Navigator (Kendall Hunt publication)

• Contributing author to Pasco Scientific’s Advanced Biology and Biology through Inquiry lab manuals, Fall 2008.

• Stultz BG, Lee H, Ramon K, Hursh DA.  2006.  Decapentaplegic head capsule mutations disrupt novel peripodial expression controlling the morphogenesis of the Drosophila ventral head.  Developmental Biology, Aug 15; 296(2): 329-39.

• Cao F, Lane S, Raniga PP, Lu Y, Zhou Z, Ramon K, Chen J, Liu H.  2005.  The Flo8 transcription factor is essential for hyphal development and virulence in Candida albicans.  Molecular Biology of the Cell.  Jan; 17(1): 295-307.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:

• National Science Teachers Association

  • Presented the workshop “ Forensic Science in Your Classroom” at the NSTA National Conference in 2011 and 2013

• California Science Teachers Association

  • Present the workshop “ Forensic Science in Your Classroom” each year at the CSTA Conference (2008-2013)

• National Association of Biology Teachers

• Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI)

VOLUNTEERING:

• •  Heal the Bay Coastal Cleanup Day Site Captain, 2015-Present

    • Coastal Cleanup Day is an annual international beach cleanup.  Heal the Bay coordinates the cleanup of over 50 sites in Los Angeles County.  As a Heal the Bay Site Co-Captain, my responsibilities include coordinating the cleanup of a local beach in Los Angeles, CA.  Each year, our site has approximately 100 participants cleanup more than 200 pounds of trash.

  • St. Monica Catholic Community Thanksgiving Dinner 2017-Present

    • This annual event provides a thanksgiving dinner as well as clothing and toiletries to over 1000 homeless in Santa Monica.

  • Special Olympics of Southern California Plane Pull, 2019-Present

    • Volunteer as a member of the “flight crew” for the SOSC Plane Pull.  The Plane Pull is a fun team competition to see which group can pull a 124,000 pound jet the fastest.  In 2018, this even raised nearly $200,000 for SOSC.

  • Meals on Wheels West Los Angeles, August 2019 – Present

    • Deliver nutritious meals to individuals who are unable to plan, shop or prepare meals for themselves due to illness, disability or advanced age.

  • Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) Walk and Play, 2019

    • Walk and Play L.A. is a community fundraising event that benefits Children’s Hospital Los Angeles which serves more children than any other hospital in the region.