Blake Edward Sanders

890 Plantation Road Apt 105 Blacksburg, VA 24060

phone: 864.363.3883 bsand89@vt.edu
EDUCATION
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA
Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemsitry
Thesis: Identification and characterization of Type V secreted proteins in Fusobacterium nucleatum
Advisor: Dr. Daniel J. Slade
Cumulative GPA: 3.7
Appalachian State University, Boone, NC
August 2015
Master of Science in Biology
Concentration in Molecular and Cell Biology
Thesis: Characterization of the norspermidine/spermidine ABC-type transporter PotABCD1 in Vibrio cholerae
Advisor: Dr. Ece Karatan
Cumulative GPA: 4.0
Mars Hill College, Mars Hill, NC
Bachelor of Science in Biology
Concentration in Laboratory Science
Minor: Chemistry and Pre-professional
Senior Seminar: Examining the effects of antioxidants on UV exposed bacteria
Advisor: Dr. Andrea Rockel
Cumulative GPA: 3.87

May 2011

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
Lab Instructor
January 2015-May 2015
Microbiology, Appalachian State University
Teaching assistantship through the Biology Department at Appalachian State University. Lectured on lab exercises
including sterile techniques, culturing, staining, metabolic assays, and enumeration and quantification. Mentored
student independent projects testing questions of their own interests.
Lab Instructor
August 2014-Dec 2014
General Biology, Appalachian State University
Teaching assistantship through the Biology Department at Appalachian State University. Lectured on topics and lab
exercises including microscopy, osmosis and movement of molecules, aerobic and anaerobic respiration,
photosynthesis, natural selection, DNA isolation, and gel electrophoresis. Delivered an informative and well-structured
presentation focusing on both the conceptual and procedural aspects of the lab exercise.

Graduate Research Assistant

August 2013-August 2014
Karatan Lab, Department of Biology, Appalachian State University
Made in frame deletions of the polyamine uptake system PotABCD2D1 components using gene splicing by overlap
extension. Cloned the mutant pot genes into Vibrio cholerae by homologous recombination and determined cellular
polyamine levels by HPLC. Also investigated the effects of these mutants on biofilm formation.
Student Researcher
September 2010-May 2011
USDA Madison County Soil and Water Conservation District
This volunteer, scholarship related research involved conducting experiments testing dissolved oxygen, turbidity,
conductivity, pH, suspended solids, nitrates and phosphates. Used various field tools and laboratory skills to study
water quality trends in Madison County monthly.
Teacher Assistant
Fall 2009, Fall 2010
Math 101 Basic Mathematics, Mars Hill College
Lectured on topics including principles of sets and logic, probability, percent and unit conversion, basic algebra,
trigonometry, solving system of equations, and problem solving. Monitored classroom environment in a professional
manner, graded exercises and homework, kept official record of attendance for the class.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Member of The American Society of Microbiology

September 2013-present

PRESENTATIONS
Blake Sanders, Libby Villa, and Ece Karatan. Characterization of the norspermidine/spermidine ABC-type transporter
PotABCD1 in Vibrio cholerae. Poster presentation at the 115th General Meeting of the American Society of
Microbiology. New Orleans, LA, May 2015
Blake Sanders, Libby Villa, and Ece Karatan. Characterization of the PotABCD2D1 Transport System in Vibrio
cholerae. Poster presentation at the 18th Annual Celebration of Student Research and Creative Endeavors at
Appalachian State University. Boone, NC, April 2015
Blake Sanders, Libby Villa, and Ece Karatan. Characterization of the PotABCD2D1 Transport System in Vibrio
cholerae. Poster presentation at Mid-Atlantic Microbial Pathogenesis Meeting. Wintergreen, VA, January, 2015
Blake Sanders, Libby Villa, and Ece Karatan. Characterization of the PotABCD2D1 Transport System in Vibrio
cholerae. Poster presentation at North Carolina American Society for Microbiology Branch Meeting. Boone, NC,
September, 2014
Blake Sanders and Andrea Rockel. Examining the effects of antioxidants on UV exposed bacteria. Oral and poster
presentation at Mars Hill Colleges Student Liberal Arts Mosaic. Mars Hill, NC, April 2011

SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES

Molecular Biology Techniques
-DNA isolation, purification
-PCR, primer construction, and cloning
-Homologous recombination
-Agarose gel electrophoresis
-Protein isolation and purification

Instrumentation
-HPLC

Bioinformatics
-FASTA, BLAST
-Multiple Sequence Alignment

Additional skills
-BSL-2 Laboratory Safety Training

LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE

Graduate Student Association Senate
Executive Council, Secretary
Biology Graduate Student Association
Student Member
Delta Kappa Theta, Service Based Social Fraternity
Treasurer, Vice-President, Pledge Master

May 2014-May 2015

August 2013-May 2015

November 2007-May 2011

AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Cratis Williams Society of Outstanding Graduates of the Graduate School (Fall 2015)
Office of Student Research-Travel Grant recipient (Summer 2015)
Nominated for the Gary Walker Outstanding Biology Graduate Student Award (Spring 2015)
Office of Student Research-Research Grant recipient (Spring 2015)
Graduate Student Association Senate-Travel Grant recipient (Spring 2015)
Office of Student Research-Travel Grant recipient (Spring 2015)
Nominated for James C. Greene Fellowship (Fall 2014)
Alpha Chi-National Honor Society (Fall 2010-present)
Whos Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges (Fall 2010)
Mars Hill College Title III Grant recipient (Fall 2010)
Marshbanks-Anderson Honor Scholar (Fall 2007-Spring 2011)
Deans List recipient, Mars Hill College (Fall 2007-Spring 2011)

OTHER WORK EXPERIENCE

Gap Kids at Haywood Mall- Greenville, SC

May 2008-August 2013
Lead Sales Associate
Trained in customer service and satisfaction through relating and engaging with customers. Handled cashier position
along with monitoring the store and providing customers with great service. Aided managers with interviewing and
training new employees.