Research Teaching Specialist IV

LINDA EFFIONG

*** ******* **** **** • Pomona, New York 10970 • CELL 347- 661- 1840 • E-mail acs6wo@r.postjobfree.com

CAREER SUMMARY

Research Teaching Specialist with proven record of executing complex studies for the duration of 8 years. Demonstrated excellence in effectively communicating and conceptualizing the research ideas of multiple Orthopedic surgeons. Exhibits multitasking capabilities and managerial skills averaging 2-4 research projects simultaneously with tight deadlines. Skilled at learning and operating new state of the art instruments and designing unconventional and innovative ways to use devices when required.

SKILLS

Micro Computed Tomography

Mechanical Testing System

FLOCK OF BIRDS

Fluoroscope/X-ray

Microscribe

Pro-Engineer/Creo

Laser Scanner

MINITAB

Fluoroscope/X-ray

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL HEALTH SCIENCES-ORTHOPEDIC RESEARCH TEACHING SPECIALIST IV Newark, NJ (09/06-present)

Brought research ideas to conceptualization and performed in depth analysis on the acquired data. Worked in team of researchers, medical students, residents and Orthopedic surgeons to execute each project, requiring a great level of interpersonal skills and professionalism. Ensured that each testing apparatus built demonstrated efficiency, accuracy, repeatability and usability. Managed the Micro Computed Tomography projects for the entire Orthopedic department and consulted each Principal Investigator on what parameters was essential in presenting the outcomes of each study. Created and engineered multiple fixture devices for each project which were later used for multiple tests by multiple users. Provided consultation and outlined testing and mode of analysis; customized for each animal study.

Key Achievements:

Biomechanical Testing of Cervical Spine Instability with Facet Injury

Designed and built a unique jig was built to minimize the bending moment of the spine

Successfully reduced testing time by more than half

Optimized older design that allowed for apparatus to perform 6 different, swappable tests in 1

Reduced human error by synchronizing the Mechanical Testing System with the Optotrak Tracking System

Stability of the Proximal Interphalangeal Joint of the Finger: An in Vitro Study

Designed, built and customized a testing apparatus to test cadaver finger

Applied concepts of Euler Angles to determine Range of motion of the finger

Poster Presented at Biomedical Engineering Society Conference

Proximal Interphalangeal Arthrodesis: An in Vitro Study

Devised a novel testing mechanism and built to assess fatigue and ultimate strength at the

Elbow Ligament Insertion Footprint Project

Created a method of quantifying various areas of bony structures on the elbow joint. Methodology reduced cost of purchasing new software to digitize landmarks

Used a Microscribe to digitize landmarks and created footprints of the joint. Effectively quantified the areas of different landmarks on the elbow and created a 3d rendering of the Elbow using Rhino software

The Effects of Insulinomimetics Agents upon Rat Spinal Fusion

Devised a new way of calculating the amount of new bone growth in the transverse processes of the Rat Vertebrae due to the limitation of the Analysis software to threshold out bone

Study won an Outstand Science Award

Artificial Periosteum Enhancing Allograft Incorporation in Defect of Non-Diabetic Mellitus Rats

Analyzed the amount of new bone formation within the defect space. Designed study to analyze in a consistent and uniform manner, allowing for repeatability and accuracy

Laboratory Manager

Managed 10-20 users including medical students, residents, and surgeons

Trained each user on Laboratory standards and usage

Ordered laboratory supplies

Ensured equipment was calibrated, inspected and in compliance with University and State standards

Assisted users with Mini C-arm and fluoroscopy of animal and cadaver bones

EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS

New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark College of Engineering (2008)

Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering- Newark, NJ

Boston University, College of Engineering (2005)

Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering- Boston, MA

ACTIVITIES

Esther’s Aid Organization- Volunteer

Graduate Alpha Epsilon Lambda Honor Society New Jersey Institute of Technology Chapter

Boston University’s Chapter: National Society of Black Engineers- Secretary, Senator, Fundraising/ Event Planner

Double Dutch Aerobics- Fitness Trainer

PRESENTATIONS/ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Insulin-mimetic Local Therapeutic Adjuncts for Enhancing Spinal Fusion in a rat model

2014 AAOS Annual Meeting

New Orleans, Louisiana, March 14, 2014

In-vivo vs. In-vitro kinematics of the Proximal Interphalangeal Joint in the Finger (A Pilot Study performed at UMDNJ)

XII International Symposium on 3D Analysis of Human Movement

Bologna, Italy July 18-20,201

Stability of the Proximal Interphalangeal Joint in the Finger: An in-vitro kinematic Study

Biomedical Engineering Society Conference

Hartford, Connecticut, October 12–15, 2011

Stability of the Proximal Interphalangeal Joint in the Finger: An in-vitro kinematic study

The National Conference of Italian Society of Surgery of the Hand

Tourino, Italy November 2011

PUBLICATIONS

Koerner, John D., Praveen Yalamanchili, William Munoz, Linda Uko, Saad Chaudhary, Sheldon S. Lin, and Michael J. Vives. "The Effects of Local Insulin Application to Lumbar Spinal Fusions in a Rat Model." The Spine Journal 12, no. 9 (2012): S26. -2012

- Outstanding Paper Award for Basic Science.

Caravaggi, Paolo, Saad Chaudary, Linda Uko, Linda Chen, Babak Khamsi, and Michael Vives. "A novel design for application of pure moments in-vitro: application to the kinematic analysis of the cervical spine." Journal of biomechanics (2013).

Koerner, John D., Michael J. Vives, Saad B. Chaudhary, Sheldon S. Lin, Eric Breitbart, Linda A. Uko, and Paul S. Chirichella. "Insulin-Mimetic Local Therapeutic Adjuncts for Enhancing Spinal Fusion in a Rat Model." The Spine Journal 13, no. 9 (2013): S31-S32.

Paglia, D. N., Wey, A., Hreha, J., Park, A. G., Cunningham, C., Uko, L., Benevenia, J., O'Connor, J. P. and Lin, S. S. (2014), “Local vanadium release from a calcium sulfate carrier accelerates fracture healing.” J. Orthop. Res., 32: 727–734. doi: 10.1002/jor.22570

John T. Capo, Christopher Collins, Bryan G. Beutel, Natalie R. Danna, Michaele Manigrasso, Linda A. Uko, Linda Y. Chen. “Three-dimensional analysis of elbow soft tissue footprints and anatomy, Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery.” Volume 23, Issue 11, November 2014, Pages 1618-1623, ISSN 1058-2746, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jse.2014.05.003.

John T Capo, Ben Shamian, Ramces Francisco, Virak Tan, Jared S Preston, Linda Uko, Richard S Yoon, Frank A Liporace.

“Fracture pattern characteristics and associated injuries of high-energy, large fragment, partial articular radial head fractures: a preliminary imaging analysis.” J Orthop Traumatol: 2014;

Paolo Caravaggi, Benhoor Shamian, Linda Uko, Linda Chen, Eitan Melamed, John T. Capo. “In vitro kinematics of the proximal interphalangeal joint in the finger after progressive disruption of the main supporting structures.” 2015. doi: 10.1007/s11552-015-9739-x

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