C H R I S T O P H E R T. R U S S O 1 7 7 L A K E R I D G E R D , S O U T H B U R Y , C T 0 6 4 8 8

2 0 3 - 5 9 8 - 2 7 6 3 • c t r u s s o @ m g h . h a r v a r d . e d u

Dedicated to the advancement of public health in order to improve health outcomes, access, and delivery to diverse communities. Initially by expanding my academic and professional

knowledge, and then focusing on areas of research and innovation. EDUCATION

• B.S., Biobehavioral Health Pennsylvania State University - State College, PA Cumulative Grade Point Average: 3.36 / 4.0

Minor: Global Health o Dean’s List: Spring 2013, Fall 2013, Spring 2014, Spring 2016

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE Global Health Fieldwork Student – Muhimbili University of Allied Health Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania May 2016- June 2016

• Conducted community health assessments, with a focus on health disparities, in rural communities.

• Collected qualitative data for an ethnographic study on community health concerns regarding alcohol abuse.

• Observed clinicians and public health professionals in the DarDar Pediatric Clinic and Muhimbili University Hospital.

Undergraduate Researcher – Pennsylvania State University, Hazleton, PA November 2013-May 2014

• Published original research in collaboration with public safety professionals and submitted into the journal of Accident Analysis & Prevention in February, 2015. Article was approved and published in July, 2015.

• Collaborated with faculty and student research assistants to establish a behavioral psychology research lab at the Penn State Hazleton campus.

• Presented at the annual conference for the Pennsylvania Association for Behavioral Analysis (Russo & Hayashi, 2014).

WORK EXPERIENCE Laboratory Technologist – Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA October 2016-Present

• Experimental focus on the genetics of movement disorders through identifying genes in the pathophysiology of dystonia.

• Collaborated with clinicians to understand connections between genetic mutations and clinical symptomatology.

• Conducted sequencing analysis using Sequencher and SnapGene programs along with various databases (UCSC, NCBI).

• Performed basic molecular techniques such as gel electrophoresis, restriction enzyme digestion,

bacterial transformation, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), plasmid DNA purification, and

DNA ligations.

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Student Research Intern – Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA June 2015-August 2015

• Analyzed genetic pedigrees to understand the heredity of gene-linked neurodegenerative disease

in various populations.

• Managed and cataloged DNA inventory for a clinical laboratory.

• Assisted in the analysis of genetic data from DNA sequencing.

AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS • Greek Catholic Union Scholarship Award

• Penn State Lion Ambassador of the Year Award

• Penn State Undergraduate Research Symposium, !st Place Oral Presentation Award.

• Penn State Undergraduate Research Symposium, 2nd Place Poster Presentation Award.

2015 2015

2013

2013

LEADERSHIP POSITIONS The Penn State Knights of Columbus, State College, PA January 2015-August 2016 Chancellor

• Organized an annual food drive for the State College food pantry.

• Lead and moderated group discussion during club steering meetings.

• Guided potential and new members through the club recruitment process.

St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church, Danbury, CT July 2013-August 2016

Ecclesiastical Designer

• Redesigned ecclesiastic artwork to restore the interior of St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church after total loss by fire in June, 2013.

• Collaborated with artists and craftsmen by utilizing 3D rendering software and drafting tools (Google Sketchup, Solidworks).

Penn State Lion Ambassadors, Hazleton, PA February 2013-May 2014

Campus Guide & University Representative

• Lead guided tours of the Penn State Hazleton to potential and incoming freshman students and their families.

• Advised incoming freshman on the University application process.

• Maintained close partnership with the University and the surrounding community of Hazleton, PA through outreach programs.

Penn State Science and Engineering Club, Hazleton, PA February 2013-May 2014

Secretary

• Recorded meeting minutes and kept records of project status and direction.

• Reported group timelines and project discussions to faculty advisors and staff.

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COMMUNITY INVOLVMENT Penn State Students for Life Assn., University Park, PA Penn State Catholic Campus Ministry, University Park, PA Penn State Biobehavioral Health Society, University Park, PA Pilgrimage for Peace, Sybertsville, PA Penn State THON Veterans of Foreign Wars, Southbury, CT

2015-2016 2014-2016 2014-2015 2012-2013 2012-2013 2009-2013

SKILLS Computer

• Word Processing/Microsoft Office: Profeccient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint programs.

• Statistical Analysis: Profeccient understanding of IBM SPSS software for research-based statistical analysis.

• Genetic Analysis: Understanding of Sequencher and SnapGene programs for sequencing analysis.

• 3D Rendering/Drafting: Knowledge of Google Sketchup and Solidworks Programs for 3D rendering and design.

Professional Development Courses: • “Welcome to the Genetic Code: An Overview of Basic Genetics”–

MGH Research Insitiute, Boston, MA

2016

AFFILIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS • Pennsylvania Association for Behavioral Analysis 2014-2015

PUBLICATIONS Hayashi, Y., Russo, C. T., & Wirth, O. Texting while driving as impulsive choice: A behavioral

economic analysis. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 83, 182-189. PRESENTATIONS Hayashi, Y., Russo, C. T., & Wirth, O. (2015, May). Frequency of texting while driving is related to delay

discounting in college students. Poster session presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, San Antonio, TX.

Russo, C. T., & Hayashi, Y. (2014, April). Texting while Driving and Delay Discounting in College Students. Poster session presented at the annual conference for the Pennsylvania Association for Behavioral Analysis.

Russo, C. T., & Hayashi, Y. (2014, May). Texting while driving and delay discounting in college students. Poster session presented at the annual Undergraduate Research Symposium at the Penn State Hazleton campus, Hazleton, PA.

Russo, C. T., & Yenser, A. (2013, May) Application of Biological Structures and Function to Robotic Engineering. Poster and oral presentation was given at the annual Undergraduate Research Symposium at the Penn State Hazleton campus, Hazleton, PA.