curriculum vitae

Jacob Allen Utley; jacob@halfinjest.com

interests

I have a wide range of interests. I have had a strong fascination with science and research for many years, and I plan on studying and working in chemical biology. I have worked toward advancing my experience in chemistry in several ways, such as excelling in challenging courses and undertaking many internships and research opportunities.

Much of my spare time is spent programming and designing websites in languages such as Python, C, PHP, JavaScript, and HTML, as well as others.

work experience

Researcher (Accepted); University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2020 NSF REU Program in Chemistry; Summer 2020: was accepted to the NSF REU Program in Chemistry at UTK, but the internship was unfortunately cancelled due to COVID-19.

Desk Assistant; Belmont University, Jack C. Massey College of Business Computer Lab; Aug. 2019–Mar. 2020: performed duties as an assistant in the university's primary computer lab, such as operating the labs, monitoring campus printers, and performing intracampus deliveries.

Researcher; Belmont University, Department of Chemistry and Physics; Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship program; Summer 2019–Spring 2020: carried out research on the synthesis and characterization of several photoluminescent terbium(III) complexes.

Researcher; Belmont University, Department of Chemistry and Physics; Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship program; Summer 2018: conducted research on metal ion-exchange and nanoparticle synthesis in silica glass substrates using thermal annealing and UV-visible spectrophotometry.

Intern; Vanderbilt University, School of Engineering, Medical-image Analysis and Statistical Interpretation Laboratory; Research Experience for High School Students program; Summer 2016: designed interactive educational software which uses the Xbox Kinect camera to render user-specific 3-dimensional organ models overlaying the body in real time.

Intern; Shelby Bottoms Nature Center; Summer 2015: helped operate a local nature center by performing tasks such as external communications, making informational flyers, gardening, and managing trails.

Intern; Vanderbilt University, School of Engineering, Institute for Software Integrated Systems; Summer 2014: designed and built electronic bicycle safety and tracking components such as lights and sensors using programmed microcontrollers.

educational experience

Co-Founder, Vice President; Belmont Engineering, Architecture, and Robotics; Sep. 2017–present.

Member; Student Members of the American Chemical Society, Belmont University Chapter; Sep. 2017–present.

Student; Belmont University, College of Sciences and Mathematics; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mathematics Double Major; Jun. 2017–present.

Student; Stratford Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Magnet High School in the Academy of Science and Engineering; Aug. 2013–May 2017.

Member; Interdisciplinary Science and Research program through Vanderbilt Center for Science Outreach; Aug. 2013–May 2017.

Member (elected president, Aug. 2016); Stratford Science Club; Aug. 2015–May 2017.

Programmer and Electrical Engineer; Stratford High School Robotics Team; Spring 2014, 2015, and 2016: designed, built, and programmed robots to participate in regional and worldwide competitions, including the 2016 FIRST Robotics Competition Championship, in which the team reached subdivision finals.

Photographer; Stratford Photography Club; Aug. 2016–May 2017: used professional equipment at school events to effectively capture sports and student life.

Student Ambassador; Stratford High School; Aug. 2013–May 2017: represented my high school by giving tours to visitors, leading school events, and speaking about the school as a voice of the student body.

Athlete; Stratford High School Tennis Team; Spring 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017: competed against other schools in tennis matches for my school's tennis team.

Athlete; Stratford High School Cross-Country Team; Fall 2013, 2014, and 2015: ran in regional competitions for my school's cross-country running team.

academic achievements

First Place Chemistry Poster Award Recipient; November 2019; 129th Meeting of the Tennessee Academy of Science for project Synthesis and Characterization of Photoluminescent Terbium(III) Complexes.

Stratford High School Valedictorian; May 2017: graduated high school as valedictorian and received Honors with Distinction for academic success.

Stratford High School Student of the Year; 2017: was chosen by administration to represent the school as Student of the Year.

Bridges to Belmont Scholar; 2017: received a full scholarship to Belmont University on the basis of academic merit and approval by school admissions.

Presenter; 2017 Tennessee Junior Academy of Science: was accepted to present research paper at Belmont University for project Augmented Reality Mirror: Using Xbox Kinect to Overlay Realistic Organ Images in Real Time.

Lab Coat Recipient; 2016 Stratford High School Lab Coat Ceremony: was recognized by school for success in research work in class and in internships.

Second Place Poster Award Recipient; 2016 Student Research Symposium, Session II; Research Experience for High School Students program through Vanderbilt Center for Science Outreach for project Augmented Reality Mirror: Using Xbox Kinect to Overlay Realistic Organ Images in Real Time.

Path to a Future in Medicine Award Recipient; 2015 College of American Pathologists for project Wolbachia, the Gender-Selective Bacterium.

Gold Award Recipient; 2015 Middle TN STEM Innovation Hub Regional STEM Exposition; "Health & Human Services" for project Wolbachia, the Gender-Selective Bacterium.

Gold Award Recipient; 2014 Metro Nashville Public Schools Exposition; "Business, Marketing, & Information Technology" for project Fetch: Physics in Computer Gaming.

First Place Poster Award Recipient; 2014 Stratford STEM Project Exposition; "Business, Marketing, & Information Technology" for project Fetch: Physics in Computer Gaming.

acknowledgements of me or my work

Interdisciplinary Learning Communities: Bridging the Gap between the Sciences and the Humanities through Forensic Science; American Chemical Society; Maria Danielle Garrett; September 2019.

Corps evaluates STEM competition at Middle Tennessee State University; US Army Corps of Engineers; Mark Rankin; April 2015.

All SysSTEMs Go; Validity Magazine; DeeGee Lester; November 2014.