John F. Dowd, Jr.
8 Springbrook Road · Auburn, MA  01501 · (508)756-8465
Email: jdowd AT engineer.com

My first experience working at a computer intrigued me.  I quickly learned how to master these machines via programming.  Since then, I've continued to expand my knowledge of the field of computer science (Local Area Networks, Bioinformatics, Internet/WWW, 3D Graphics & Cryptography), even as the field continues to expand.  My broad knowledge and skills are compatible with the needs of many computer related positions and challenges.

Professional Experience

Senior Bioinformatics Analyst · PolyGenyx, Inc.
Wow, I did so much really cool stuff working here – where do I begin?  Analysis of chromatograms produced from DOP-PCR and PCR to detect SNPs using Sequencher, Phred, Phrap, Consed and self-coded custom software was both interesting and fun.
	I also performed analysis of MicroArray scans using primarily, ImaGene from BioDiscovery.
	I was entrusted with the design/implementation/updating of a PostgreSQL database to track our experimental SNP findings.  The database contained a copy of the Human Genome from the NCBI, the capability to store other genomes as well, and much of the data relating to the experiments.  I designed all of the client interfaces to make the database useful.  And, I coded a combination of shell scripts, Perl, and C to input vast amounts of data output from a variety of programs (see above) into the database.
	I coded programs to simulate laboratory experiments; predict experimental results; and developed an electronic DOP-PCR simulator – results from which would pipe directly into the aforementioned database.
I wrote up scripts to control some of our robots.  The robots I worked with include a Biomek 1000, a Biomek 2000 (both from Beckman Coulter), a ProSys 5510 Microarray Analyzer and PegaSys 150 Stacker (from Cartesian Technologies), and an ArrayWorX Fluorescence Slide Scanner from Applied Precision Instruments.  And, the setup of Bar Code scanners for (planned) tracking and database interfacing.
	Of course, I maintained/updated the company website (www.polygenyx.com).  And, I configured/maintained the employees' POP3 e-mail boxes.  Also, it was my responsibility to maintain (including firewall/anti-virus protection and backups) our heterogeneous LAN (SGI Irix, Win98SE, 
WinNT4 W/S, and Red Hat Linux 6/7).

Information Technology Coordinator · St. Bernard's Central Catholic High School
	Working in a high school environment, I had to plan and configure hardware and software for a LAN to support multiple computer labs, several research computers in the library, and administration/staff machines.  A major necessity was providing security for the LAN in a "hostile" environment (high school students can't be fired for malicious mischief on computers).  Also, Internet connectivity and the needed content filters were provided across all machines.  I was the first (and usually last) line of technical support all users.  All that, and I had to teach computer courses too.

Systems Engineer · Corporate Technology Systems, Inc.
	This company provided an outsourced IT staff (or additional support for an in-house IT staff) for small to medium sized companies.  I performed hardware and software configuration, diagnostics, and troubleshooting for a variety of clients, on both NetWare and WindowsNT networks, across a variety of computer platforms, including: MacOS, Unix, MS-DOS, and all flavors of Microsoft Windows.

Publications
B. Jordan, A. Charest, J.F. Dowd, J.P. Blumenstiel, R. Yeh, A. Osman, D. E. Housman , and J. E. Landers. (2002). "Genome Complexity Reduction for SNP Genotyping Analysis." Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. In press.
Certifications
•	Certified NetWare Engineer since 1994 (CNE5 attained in 2000)
•	Certified NetWare Administrator
•	CompTIA A+ Service Technician since 1998
•	CompTIA Network+ Certified 1999
•	CompTIA I-Net+ Certified 2001
•	Certified Internet Webmaster (CIW) Associate Certified 2001
•	Linux Administration (General) Brainbench Certification 2002

Programs
•	With C, for two different operating systems, I designed and coded a security system that implemented the DES cryptographic standard.
•	Also in C, for the Worcester County Sheriff's Department, I designed and coded a program for employee work scheduling.  “The Schedule Master” is still their current method of scheduling.
•	With GRASP and BASIC, I coded a drug awareness suite of programs geared for grade school children.
•	With Pascal I designed and coded a program to convert data from one "standard" database program into a readable format for another.
•	Also in Pascal I designed and coded a Logo interpreter.

Programming Languages
·  Assembler (8086 & IBM-370)	·  BASIC	·  C/C++		
·  Clipper		·  COBOL	·  dBase III Plus	
·  Fortran			·  GRASP	·  Java (and JavaScript)		
·  Pascal	·  TCL/Tk	·  Perl	                          ...and more.	

Missions Accomplished
•	I have successfully scanned for and removed viruses from Macs, MS-DOS PCs, Windows PCs, and Linux PCs in both stand-alone and networked environments.  This has been done manually and without data loss in those cases when Antivirus software was ineffective.
•	I have installed hardware and software for a NetWare 3.12 server amidst Macs in an AppleTalk LAN.
•	From component parts I have assembled so many IBM-PC compatibles that the number would be more convenient to write with scientific notation.
•	A completely successful recovery of a badly corrupted Microsoft Exchange Server.
•	Upgrade of a NetWare server from 3.12 to 4.0.
•	Installation of hardware and software on a wide variety of Intel based machines running various operating systems.
•	I have installed Iomega Zip drives, SCSI hard drives, VRAM, RAM, and other hardware in a variety of Macs.
•	As part of a four-man team, I upgraded over 50 workstations on a Novell NetWare 3.12 LAN from Windows for Workgroups 3.11 to Windows 95.
•	With a partner, I moved data and users from a NetWare 3.11 server to a Windows NT 4.0 Server.  Fifteen Windows for Workgroups 3.11 clients were migrated to Windows NT Workstation 4.0 and legacy DOS applications were configured and tested.  Twelve Mac clients were also configured for the new server. Several printers were configured for network printing.  All done within 11 hours (5PM to 4AM).
Operating System Experience
•	All flavors of Microsoft MS-DOS and Windows (even the yucky ones).
•	Multiple versions and distributions of Linux
•	Multiple flavors of Unix, primarily SGI Irix.
•	Menuet
•	Athena
•	MacOS

Education
	Master of Science / Computer Science
	1995 - 1998	   	Worcester Polytechnic Institute	                                               Worcester, MA
	Bachelor of Science / Computer Science
	1993 - 1994	 	Worcester State College		                                               Worcester, MA
	Associate in Science / Computer Information Systems
	1987 - 1992		Quinsigamond Community College	                                               Worcester, MA

Honors
•	I received Honor Certificates for "Outstanding Academic Achievement" from Worcester State College in 1993 and 1994.
•	I made the Dean's list at Quinsigamond Community College in 1990 and 1991.

Employment History
2000 – 2001 			PolyGenyx, Inc.						           Worcester, MA
1999 – 2000			St. Bernard's Central Catholic High School				Fitchburg, MA
1998 – 1999			Corporate Technology Systems, Inc.					   Auburn, MA
1995 – 1998 			Worcester County Sheriff's Department			   West Boylston, MA
Sergeant / Senior Correction Officer 
	Primary duties: Provide for the care, custody, and control of inmates.  Supervise and maintain a daily 		work schedule for up to 20 subordinates.
1989 – 1994			Worcester County Sheriff's Department.		               West Boylston, MA
	Correction Officer 
	Primary duties: care, custody, and control of inmates.
1988 – 1989			Radio Shack Computer Center		                                  Worcester, MA
	Retail Marketing Manager
Primary duties: balance the daily books, store inventory control, employee scheduling, configuration of hardware & software for systems sold, configuration of our floor systems and network (including NetWare2.11, TandyLink, Xenix, and MS-DOS) and perform retail sales as necessary.

Personal Information
•	I take great pride in my work.
•	I communicate well, orally and in writing.
•	I've been entrusted by many with privileged computer security information and access to sensitive data.
•	I work quite well with co-workers, even in a hostile environment (see Employment History).
•	I own a dog.  His name is Fletcher.  He's 75% German Shepard and 25% Husky.

References are available upon request.