Esteban Luna

eil5028@psu.edu 10335 Cannas Str.

(724) 972-2915 N. Huntingdon, PA
15642

Education

B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Anticipated

Graduation, May 2011
Option in Molecular Biology GPA 3.83/ 4.00
Honors in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
The Schreyer Honors College
Minors in History and Psychology
The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA

Research training

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Research Spring

2008- Present
McNair Summer Research Program Summer
2009
Research Advisor: Dr. Melissa Rolls, Department of Biochemistry and
Molecular Biology
Pennsylvania State University

• Maintained 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
 Immunofluoresence and fluorescence recovery after photo-
bleaching (FRAP) were used to determine any phenotypic
changes
 Analyzed data using Image J program
• Determined the presence of a diffusion barrier in Drosophila
neurons and its mechanism
 Used fluorescent confocal microscopy and RNAi to perform
FRAP on neurons in Drosophila larvae
 Utilized the Image J program to graph amount of
fluorescent recovery
 Developed graphing method to accurately show recovery
• Generating a Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) and Red
Fluorescent Protein (RFP) of Rdl
 Used PCR to amplify DNA
  Utilized molecular cloning techniques to inject the
construct into the Drosophila genome

Awards and Scholarships

Summer Discovery Grant

Collins Trustee Scholarship
Foster Scholarship
Bunton Waller Scholarship
Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society
Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
Golden Key Honour Society
National Residence Hall Honorary
Deans List, all semesters

Publications and Presentations

Oral Presentations

“Diffusion Barriers in Drosophila Neurons” Presentation offered

at Penn State McNair Research Conference, July 18, 2009

“Diffusion Barriers in Drosophila Neurons” Presentation offered

at University of Wisconsin Research Conference, November 7,
2009

Leadership and Service

McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program Spring

2008- Present
• Participate in weekly professional development workshops and
seminars to help in graduate school preparation
• Fulfill program requirements, including maintaining a 3.0 GPA,
completing a research methodology course, and participating in
a nine-week summer research internship

Resident Assistant Fall 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
• Attended weekly meetings to go over the weeks business
 AXΣ: Co-ed Chemistry Fraternity, Professional Chair
Spring 2008-Present
• Organized events between members of the fraternity and those
who use science in their careers, such as professors or those in
industry
• Help coordinate community service events, such as science
demos for elementary school students and third mile students

South Halls Residence Association, Vice President Spring

2008-Spring 2009
• Choose committee chairs for each committee from all those that
applied
• Supervised Events and Diversity Committees to ensure all paper
work was filled out properly and events were planned properly

South Halls Residence Association, Events Chair Fall

2007-Spring 2008
• Planned and put on events for the South Halls Residence Area
• Helped other chairs with their events

Skills and Certifications

Chemical Storage and Waste Management

Proficient in Spanish