Ramona Parra

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TITLE:	SWAT Lab Specialist I
SECTION:	Organic
eMail:	raparra@nmsu.edu
PHONE:	646-5651
DEGREE:	Toxicology
Date Hired:	February 1, 1994

1994:  Master of Science, Agricultural Biology
  (Emphasis:  Toxicology, Weed Science)
  New Mexico State University
  Las Cruces, NM

1992:  American Association of Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) One Year Course for Laboratory Animal Technologists

1989:  AALAS, Certification as Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician

1988:  Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Languages
  New Mexico State University
  Las Cruces, NM

1983-85: MD Biomedical Program
  University of New Mexico School of Medicine
  Albuquerque, NM
  (Coursework included:  Biomedical Statistics, Biochemistry, Nutrition, Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, Histology, Immunology, Genetics, Neuroanatomy, Neurophysiology and Neurochemistry.  Emergency Patient Care as well as Primary Patient Assessments were part of this training experience.)

1982-83: Graduate School (Biology)
  New Mexico State University
  Las Cruces, NM

1982:  Bachelor of Science, Biology (Pre-med Program)
  New Mexico State University
  Las Cruces, NM
 

FLUENT LANGUAGES:  English, Spanish and French
 

WORK EXPERIENCE:

Sep 98 - May 99  Occupational Education Health Occupations Department
    Dona Ana Branch Community College
    New Mexico State University
    Las Cruces, NM

Instructor for OEHO 125 - Nutrition.  Responsible for preparation and delivery of class lectures, administering and grading assignments and examinations.  Class Text:  Whitney, E.N., Cataldo, C.B., and Roolfes, S.R. (1994).  Understanding Normal and Clinical Nutrition, 5th edition.  Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN: West Publishing Co.

Feb 94 - Present  Specialist, Chemist
    Soil, Water and Air Testing Lab
    New Mexico State University
    Las Cruces, NM

Pesticide analyses of drinking water by gas chromatography (GC)/electron capture detector (ECD) and mass spectroscopy (MS).  Responsible for developing and optimizing EPA Methods for the analyses of pesticides in drinking water samples.  Procedures include disk extraction of pesticides from drinking water, performance of GC/ECD and GC/MS analyses, instrument maintenance, QC compliance, data entry and generation of data reports.  Also have some training and did some R&D work on analyses of pesticides by HPLC.

June 92 - Jan 94:  Senior Research Assistant
    Entomology, Plant Pathology, Weed Science
    New Mexico State University
    Las Cruces, NM

Research in the area of water quality as affected by pesticide movement in the soil profile.  Procedures include pesticide extractions from soils and analyses by gas chromatography using.  Also responsible for general management of the Weed Science Laboratory.  Involved in the development of a GLP and EPA/OSHA Safety program for the lab by writing SOP's, safety guidelines and training all personnel on GLP and Safety procedures.  Other duties include supervision of lab employees and graduate students, assisting students with their research,  ordering supplies, maintaining equipment, sample analyses, and data entry and analyses.

July 90 - June 92:  Study Coordinator
    Reproductive Toxicology Division
    New Mexico Regional Primate Research Laboratory
    Holloman AFB, NM

Organized, supervised and conducted all phases of primate studies in the areas of teratology, reproductive physiology, toxicology, metabolism and pharmacokinetics.  Coordinated activities between a diverse number of departments involving the implementation of sponsor prepared study protocols and federal/state agencies and their guidelines and regulations (e.g. GLP's, Animal Welfare Act, OSHA, EPA, USDA and FDA).   Duties included: maintaining breeding colonies by upkeeping menses records and scheduling matings accordingly, performing protein iodinations and radioimmunoassays, dosing and bleeding animals, preparing dosing solutions, acting as anesthesiologist and second surgeon while performing C-sections, performing infant and fetal evaluations, entering and analyzing data, and preparation of study protocols and final reports.

Jan 89 - July 90:  Research Assistant
    Analytical and Biotoxicology Division
    Primate Research Institute
    Holloman AFB, NM

Research in the area of primate/rodent/swine toxicology, metabolism, and pharmacokinetics.  Responsibilities included analyzing samples by gas and liquid chromatography, preparing samples for analysis, careful monitoring of animal care procedures, preparing dose solutions, dosing animals via IV, IM, SubQ, and nasogastricgavage routes, collecting blood, urine and fecal samples, performing EKG's on primates, entering and analyzing data, and preparation of final reports.

Feb 86 - Dec 89:  Lab Technician
    Department of Biology (Ecology)
    New Mexico State University
    Las Cruces, NM

Duties included operating the Scientific Insturments CFA-200 Automated Continuous Flow Autoanalyzer to analyze plant, soil and water samples for nitrate, ammonia, total nitrogen, phosphate and total carbon; sample analyses by GC; sample preparation including potassium sulfate and potassium chloride extractions, calcium chloride leaches and Kjehldal digestions; collection of samples from field.  Also involved in supervision and training of students, data entry and analysis.

Dec 84 - Sep 85:  Medical Preceptor
    Alcohol/Substance Abuse Prevention Program
    BCMS/UNMH and UNM School of Medicine
    Albuquerque, NM

Acted as preceptor for high school students, parents and teachers while doing rotations through the Emergency Room and other hospital departments to demonstrate first hand what the consequences of alcohol and drug abuse can be.  Coordinated, organized and scheduled hospital tours, prompted and lead group discussions, interviewed patients and their families, doctors and other hospital staff, trained students to act as peer educators in alcohol and substance abuse prevention.  Collaborated in the development and filming of a series of educational videos on the student/patient experiences at the hospital.
 
 

Dec 81 - May 83:  Research Assistant
    Department of Biology
    New Mexico State University
    Las Cruces, NM

Investigation of mechanisms involved in control and regulation of body and brain temperatures and plasma oxygen concentration in the pigeon (Columba livia).  Developed experimental protocol, managed and operated necessary machinery and equipment, and performed surgical preparation of animals.  Also in charge of collecting and interpreting data and writing reports on results obtained.
 

PAPERS/PRESENTATIONS:

 M.S. Thesis:  Metolachlor dissipation in the soil profile uner furrow irrigated no-till and
  conventional-till management.  New Mexico State University.  1994.

 Parra, R.P., J. Schroeder.   1994.  Metolachlor distribution in the soil profile under   furrow irrigated no-till and conventional-till management.  Proceedings Southern Weed Science Society, 47th Annual Meeting, January, Dallas, Texas.

 Parra, R.P., J. Schroeder, N. Christensen, and T. Jones.  1993.  Metolachlor distribution
  in the soil profile under furrow irrigated no till and conventional till management. Western Weed Science Society Annual Meeting, Tucson, Arizona.

 Struthers, E.J., P.L. Cooper, and R.R. Parra.  Sensory Approach to Enrichment Design
  Increases Use of Cage Space and Activity in Research Monkeys.  43rd AALAS Annual Meeting, 1992, Los Angeles, California.