Jill Tomaras
Wildwood
Summary
Reliable individual with skills and experience as Laboratory Research Assistant working in both academic and pharmaceutical settings. Committed to completing objectives comprehensively, offering exceptional drive and investigative curiosity. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals with a passion for advancing scientific knowledge. Proven track record designing/executing research experiments and contributing to published studies, all while having strong team collaboration and communication skills.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Classroom Assistant/Librarian Assistant (Chesterfield Elementary)
Rockwood School District
Eureka, MO
10.2021 - 05.2026
- Supported teachers and students with classroom management and instruction. Engaged in small group instruction with students in both math and literacy. Monitored students during lunch and recess. Assisted librarian with maintaining and organizing library. Managed check-outs and returns. Helped students find materials, answer questions and engage in literary discussions.
Research Associate II
Cubist Pharmaceuticals- Infectious Diseases
Lexington, MA
06.2014 - 04.2015
- Performed microbial characterization and evaluation of small molecules employing MIC assays, resistance studies and time kills for a wide variety of pathogens in support of full and exploratory infectious disease programs. Assisted with and provided back-up support for the primary MIC assay. Carried out various EHS/lab management activities including lab safety liaison, lab re-organization and implementation of additional automation to improve workflow. Participated and presented in project team meetings.
Technical Assistant
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA
01.2013 - 06.2014
- Assessment of the antimicrobial activity of the human defensin 5 (HD5) peptide, against various bacterial and fungal species (E.coli, a baumannii, P. aeruginosa, K. pneumoniae, S. aureus, B. cereus, L. monocytogenes, C. albicans). Experimental design and execution of mechanism of action studies for HD5 as well as the HD5 covalent dimer, including the use of molecular techniques and bacterial mutant libraries. Assay development to achieve higher throu-put when examining the antimicrobial activity of various compounds. Participated and presented in lab meetings and manuscript preparation.
Research Assistant II
University of Connecticut- Marine Sciences
Groton, CT
09.2008 - 12.2012
- Worked remotely from Waltham, MA, examining seawater samples taken from Long Island Sound for mesozooplankton and microzooplankton. This involved counting and in some cases, speciating organisms stained and viewed under a light microscope. This project was sponsored by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection.
Research Assistant II
University of Connecticut- Marine Sciences
01.2008 - 01.2012
- Working onsite at the University of Connecticut, work focused on using molecular approaches to measure the distributions of ciliates in coastal waters. Examination of carbon and nitrogen acquisition and cycling in heterotrophic and mixotrophic ciliates. Culturing marine ciliates and algae. Manager of laboratory including technical training, ordering and equipment maintenance. Mentor/supervisor of undergraduate students in the laboratory and field. Participated in lab meetings and attended scientific conferences.
Research Associate
Colorado School of Mines- Environmental Science and Engineering Division
01.2005 - 01.2008
- Performance assessment of engineered wastewater treatment units (soil, textile filter, septic tank, aerobic biogenerator). Field research of onsite wastewater systems including installation, maintenance and monitoring surrounding a full-scale drip irrigation wastewater dispersal system and small-scale aerobic biogenerator system. Microbial characterization of various aspects of onsite wastewater systems (e.g. wastewater/soil interactions). Bacterial source tracking. Manager of laboratory including technical training, ordering and equipment maintenance. Mentor/supervisor of undergraduate students in the laboratory and field. Participated and presented in lab meetings and attended and presented at scientific conferences. Grant writing, report preparation, manuscript writing.
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Cincinnati- Department of Biological Sciences
01.2002 - 01.2004
- Evaluation of bacterial endophytes found in plant roots, their response to soil contamination, and plant species specificity through the use of molecular techniques. Participated in lab meetings and attended and presented at scientific conferences. Involved in teaching several undergraduate courses including Biology and Microbiology laboratories.
Research Assistant II
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Research Foundation- Human Genetics
01.2000 - 01.2002
- Experimentation involving both enzyme replacement and gene therapy in lysosomal acid lipase-deficient mice. Participated in lab meetings.
Education
M.S. - Biological Science
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OhioB.A. - Microbiology
Miami University
Oxford, OhioSkills
- Educational assistance
- Classroom/library organization
- Small group instruction
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Lab management
- Data collection
- Bacterial culturing
- MIC assays
- Microbial resistance assays
- Light microscopy
- DNA isolation and sequencing
Affiliations
- Lafayette Hockey Club Board Member (2025-present)
- Youth Head soccer Coach (2018-2024)
- Beachbody Health and Wellness Coach (2016-2024)
- Girl Scout Troop Co-Leader (2016-2021)
- CES Field Day Chair (2018-2020)
- Cub Scout Pack Recruitment Chair (2017-2019)
- ASM (American Society for Microbiology), member (1996-2015)
- Adhoc reviewer Journal of Applied Microbiology (2013-2015)
- Adhoc reviewer Water Research (2010)
- ASABE (American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers), member (2007-2009)
- NOWRA (National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association), member (2006-2009)
- RMWEA (Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association), member (2006-2009)
- ISME (International Society for Microbial Ecology), member (2004)
Timeline
Classroom Assistant/Librarian Assistant (Chesterfield Elementary)
Rockwood School District
10.2021 - 05.2026
Research Associate II
Cubist Pharmaceuticals- Infectious Diseases
06.2014 - 04.2015
Technical Assistant
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
01.2013 - 06.2014
Research Assistant II
University of Connecticut- Marine Sciences
09.2008 - 12.2012
Research Assistant II
University of Connecticut- Marine Sciences
01.2008 - 01.2012
Research Associate
Colorado School of Mines- Environmental Science and Engineering Division
01.2005 - 01.2008
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Cincinnati- Department of Biological Sciences
01.2002 - 01.2004
Research Assistant II
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Research Foundation- Human Genetics
01.2000 - 01.2002
M.S. - Biological Science
University of Cincinnati
B.A. - Microbiology
Miami University