Maria Escalona

Soy profesora d Biología con amplia experiencia en estudios de campo, técnicas de laboratorio, elaboración de Proyectos, enseñando Biotecnología, Microbiología, Entomologia, Educación para la Salud, Asesora de Proyectos Científicos entre otros a Nivel Universitario, con dos maestrías en Enseñanza de la Biología y Gerencia Educacional, además fui Subdirectora Académica, Subdirectora Administrativa y Directora de Secundaria.

Lombard, IL | She/Her | 630-335-3537 | mjes.742@gmail.com

Biologist / Botanist

Highly knowledgeable Biologist with extensive experience in botany, nutrition, health education, and microbiology. Fieldwork in botany includes collection, sampling, and classification of seeds and plants, composting, home-based food production, and in vitro cultures. Skilled in project management, classroom instruction, employee supervision, presentations, interviewing and hiring personnel. Excellent communication skills. Bilingual in Spanish and English.

• Teaching Assistant, Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Research (IVIC): Assisted Dr. Miguel Layrisse with research on the effects of nutrition in the treatment of patients with anemia​​​​1991

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

Microbiology Professor, UNELLEZ University, Portuguesa, Venezuela​ ​ ​​ ​ 2009-2017

• Built composters with university students using organic waste from the student cafeteria. These composters were used to grow organic crops of medicinal plants and vegetables used by the student cafeteria.
• Performed laboratory work with in vitro cultures to develop tomato plants, peanuts, lettuce, chili plants, and others, in petri dishes. Used agar derived from natural materials such as coconut water and other substances.
• Taught various techniques to the university students regarding in vitro,plant collection, sampling, plant classification, and seed classification.
• Developed a macro project for the processing of tropical fruits from the community including mangos, pineapples, and papayas. Results: helped prevent spoilage and environmental contamination, produce fruit pulps for juices, and foster community sustainability.​

Biology Professor, Universidad Nacional Simon Rodgriguez, Portuguesa, Venezuela​ ​ ​ 2007-2009

• Taught university classes in science, home-based food production, and microbiology.

Nutrition Professor, Universidad Pedagogica Experimental Libertador, Barquisimeto, Venezuela​ ​ 2002-2007

• Taught nutrition classes and health education classes to university students.

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE

High School Principal, Liceo Pedro Arenas Bolivar, Portuguesa, Venezuela​ ​ ​ ​ 2002-2017

• Directed 110 teachers, along with 21 administrative secretaries and 20 balers, for a school of 1,200 enrollment.
• Oversaw 10 graduating classes consisting of 8 sessions with 42 students per class.

Tutor, Orphanage for Girls, Chosica, Peru​ ​ ​​ ​​ ​​ 2017-2019

• Tutored girls in all school subjects from elementary through university level studies.

Fish Packing, Liguria Fishing Company, El Callao, Peru​ ​ ​​ ​​ ​ 2022-2023

General Labor, Maker’s Pride, Carol Stream, Illinois​ ​ ​​ ​​ ​ 2023-2025

• Certified in sanitation and food preparation. Served as Line Lead, take attendance, assign workers to positions.

AWARDS & CERTIFICATES

Presented master’s thesis to Universidad Nacional de Educacion Enrique Guzman y Valle in Peru and was awarded a panelist certificate – February 2018

Master's Degree in Educational Management, Yacambú University, Venezuela, 2017.

Bachelor's Degree plus 3 years of advanced studies in Biological Education, Luis Beltrán Prieto Figueroa Institute, Venezuela, 2003.

Professor of Biology, Libertador Experimental Pedagogical University, Barquisimeto, Venezuela, 1998.