Esteban Luna

eil5028@psu.edu 10335 Cannas Street

724-972-2915 N. Huntingdon, PA 15642

Education

Pennsylvania State University  University Park, PA  Graduation Date: May 2011

B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Option in Molecular Biology

Honors in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology GPA: 3.83/ 4.00
Schreyer Honor’s College Minors in Psychology and History

Honors and Awards

 Discovery Summer Grant – Grant given to students that show aptitude at initiating their own research
 Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society – Honor given if a GPA of 3.75 or higher is achieved in science
 Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society – Decoration for being within the top 7.5% of the class
 Golden Key International Honour Society – Distinction given for being placed top 15% of the class
 Dean’s List (all semesters) – Maintained a GPA over a 3.50
 National Residence Hall Honorary – Recognizes leaders in the residence hall

Experience

Rolls’ Lab  Research Assistant  University Park, PA  January 2008-Present

 Maintaining fly lines and lab equipment

 Studied the function of reticulon proteins in Drosophila neuronal endoplasmic reticulum
 Utilized genetic crosses and RNAi to decrease the function of particular genes
 Used immunofluoresence and FRAP were used to determine any phenotypic changes
 Analyzed data using Image J program
 Researched the affect of Ankyrin on the diffusion barrier in the Drosophila axon initial segment
 Employed fluorescent confocal microscopy and RNAi to image larvae by FRAP
 Analyzed data using Image J program
 Developed graphing method to accurately quantify recovery
 Generating a Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) and Red Fluorescent Protein (RFP) of Rdl
 Used PCR to amplify DNA
 Utilizing molecular cloning techniques to inject the construct into the Drosophila genome

Leadership

Residence Life  Resident Assistant  August 2009 – Present

 Planned floor events to build community on the floor

 Dealt with any problems, emotional or legal, that occurred with the residents on the floor or in the
building

South Halls Residence Association  Executive Vice President  May 2008 – April 2009

 Duties include reviewing applications and interviewing committee chair applicants

 Advisor to several committees to help chairs plan events that follow regulations