Education          

                           South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD.

                                    Master of Science in Biological Science

                                    Veterinary Microbiology specialization 

                                    Graduation Date: May 2004

               Thesis Topic: Detection, Predictors, Immune Mechanisms and    Prevalence of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRSV) Persistence in Boar Semen. 

                           South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD.

                                    Bachelor of Science in Arts and Science

                                    Major: Biology and Microbiology   Minor: Chemistry

 Teaching Experience    

  Science Instructor

                           Presentation College

                           Aberdeen, SD (8/04 – present)

·        Classes taught: General Biology I and II, Medical Microbiology, Genetics, Immunology, Human Biology, Aspects of Human Disease, Senior Research and Biology Seminar

·        Develop and coordinate lab experiments

·        Co-advise Biology club                                 

Graduate Teaching Assistant

                           South Dakota State University

Biology and Microbiology Department, Brookings, SD  (8/01-5/02)

·        Instruct General Biology I and II and General Microbiology labs 

·        Coordinate lab experiments 

·        Design and administer weekly lab quizzes and semester tests

·        Class size ranged from 15 to 30 students

Research  Experience       

Graduate Research Assistant

                           South Dakota State University, Brookings SD (8/01 – present)

·        Developed and validated a real-time PCR assay for the detection of PRRSV in serum and semen.

·        Performed conventional PCR, RNA extractions, virus titration and isolation, serology testing, reagent production, and monoclonal antibody production.

·        Conducted small and large animal challenge studies, and sample collection.

Research Scientist

Benchmark Biolabs, Inc., Lincoln, NE. (9/00 – 8/01)

·        Support microbial and biochemical tasks associated with data generation requirements.

·        Execute tasks associated with automated and manual assays.

Research Technician II

Intervet Animal Health, Dallas Center IA. (9/99 – 9/00)

·        Performed cell culture, virus titration, serology testing, embroynated egg titrations, inoculations and harvesting.

·        Performance of small and large animal immunogenicity studies, including vaccination, challenge, monitoring of clinical signs, collection of samples.

Publications      

 Lu, W., M. Eichmeyer, J. Schroeder, R. Atchison, A.Wasilk, R. Hesse.  2000.  Preliminary Characterization of a H3 Subtype Isolation of Swine Influenza Virus.  American Association of Swine Practitioners. 119-122.

Wasilk, A., J.D. Callahan, J. Christopher-Hennings  et al. 2004.  Detection of U.S. and LV/European-like porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus and quantitation in boar semen and serum by real-time PCR.  Journal of Clinical Microbiology. 42:4453-4461.

Published Abstracts and Presentations

Wasilk, A., J. Christopher-Hennings, J. Callahan, T. Gay, Y. Fang, M.    Dammon, M. Torremorell, E.A. Nelson, W.M. Nelson.  2003. Validation of a real-time quantitative PCR assay to detect US and Lelystad/European-like PRRSV in boar semen and serum.  84^th Conf. of Research Workers in Animal Disease. Chicago, IL. 

Callahan, J.D., J. Christopher-Hennings, T.A. Gay, M.E. Reos, Y. Fang,  M. Dammon, A. Wasilk, J. Galeota, F.A. Osorio, M. Torremorell, W.M. Nelson and E.A. Nelson. 2003. Development, validation and commercialization of a real-time PCR assay for the detection of Lelystad/European-like and U.S. PRRSV.  107^th Annual Meeting of the American Association of Vet. Lab. Diagnostitions, p. 142.

Page, B., Y. Fang, S. Ropp, N. Ferrin, A. Wasilk, P. Steen, J.Christopher-Hennings and E.A. Nelson. 2003.  Identification of European-like PRRSV in the United States. Proceedings of the South Dakota Academy of Science. Vol. 82.

Wasilk, A., D.L. Carlson, Y. Fang, S.A.E. Marras, E.A. Nelson and J. Christopher-Hennings.  2002. Detection, differentiation and quantitation of PRRSV strains by real-time PCR with molecular beacons. 83^rd Conf. of Research Workers in Animal Disease. St. Louis, MO.

Fraser, T., J. Christopher-Hennings, K. Rossow, E. Thacker, P. Ahrens, R. Chapin, A. Wasilk and E.A. Nelson.  1999.  Detection of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae by nested PCR:  A comparison of specimen type and extraction methods. American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians.

Professional Organizations

American Association for the Advancement of Science

Committees

                           Presentation College Faculty Welfare Committee

                                    Member (2004-06) Chairperson (2005-2006)

                          Chemistry and Physic’s Faculty Search Committees (2006)

                           Women in Science committee member (2006- present)                         

                       Ad Hoc: Graduation Requirements/Grades Committee (2006-2007)

                           College Development Committee member (2007- present)    

Conferences

                             Higher Learning Commission Academy  (2007)