Amanda Tokash-Peters

Amanda Tokash-Peters, PhD has a diverse work experience in academic and research settings. Amanda began their career as a Summer Research Intern, assisting Dr. Jennie Carr in studying the anti-predator behaviors of hummingbirds. Amanda later served as an Extern at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shadowing various departments and gaining exposure to the daily responsibilities of a CDC researcher. At Washington College GIS, they worked as a Student Intern on mapping projects using ArcMap. Additionally, they interned at the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, where they helped GIS map oyster reef habitats in the Chesapeake Bay.

Amanda went on to earn their Bachelor's degree in Biology and Environmental Science from Washington College, where they engaged in internships, established an environmental honor society, and received the Environmental Science and Studies Award upon graduation. Afterward, they joined the University of Massachusetts Boston as a PhD candidate in Environmental Biology. Their doctoral research focused on the mosquito microbiome and the influence of environmental factors on disease transmission. As part of their research, they led the Global Mosquito Microbiome Project.

During their time at UMass Boston, Amanda also served as a Research Affiliate at the University of Rwanda Center of Excellence in Biodiversity and Natural Resource Management. Amanda continued their work at the center as a Research Fellow, contributing to biodiversity research in Rwanda.

After completing their PhD, Amanda became an Assistant Professor of Biology at Centenary University, teaching courses on Microbiology, Genetics, and General Biology. Amanda directed laboratory research on mosquito microbiomes, vector-borne diseases, and other related topics. Amanda also mentored undergraduate researchers involved in these projects.

In 2022, Amanda joined Skin Trust Club as a Senior Scientist. In this role, they managed a team and oversaw the sequencing of skin microbiome samples. Amanda also played a crucial role in establishing Biosafety Committee and new sequencing laboratory facilities.

Most recently, Amanda has accepted a position as a Scientist in Molecular Biology at WuXi Advanced Therapies, contributing their expertise in the field.

Amanda Tokash-Peters, PhD, began their education at Washington College, where they pursued a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Environmental Science from 2012 to 2016. Following their undergraduate studies, Amanda attended UMass Boston from 2016 to 2020 as a PhD student in Biology, specializing in Disease Ecology.

In addition to their academic degrees, Amanda has obtained several certifications to further enhance their skills and knowledge. Amanda obtained the CITI IRB Chair Certification and the CITI Institutional Review Board Certification from the CITI Program in September 2021. In January 2017, they completed the "Social Media Analysis: Principals and Practices for Big Data" certification offered by Boston University.

Amanda has also completed the CITI Working With The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) certification in August 2016. Amanda holds an Adult First Aid/CPR/AED certification from the American Red Cross obtained in September 2022, and an OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Safety Certification from AdvanceOnline Solutions, Inc., obtained in September 2022.