Andrea Cruz Email & Phone Number

Pittsburgh, PA, US

• Work with a team of 2-3 life science consultants on 6-week consulting engagements to provide data-driven solutions and recommendations for biotech start-up clients within the Pittsburgh area.
• Assess the competitive landscape, provide recommendations on market entry strategies and business models, and identify dilutive funding sources.
• Identify, script, and conduct informational interviews with potential stakeholders or customers on behalf of the clients.
• Deliver concise presentations at the midpoint and final meetings and detailed written reports for clients.

• Identify and validate novel therapeutic targets in pediatric high grade gliomas using an array of bioinformatic approaches (e.g. bulk and single cell RNA-seq, genomics, proteomics and metabolomics).
• Validate and assess the therapeutic potential of candidate drugs by performing functional studies using cell-based assays and other technologies (e.g. PCR, flow cytometry, cell culture, western blotting.
• Design and execute preclinical studies using brain tumor mouse models and clinically relevant therapeutic drugs and a novel antibody our lab has developed.
• Train, supervise, and mentor undergraduate student interns on various wet lab techniques and lab safety protocols.
• Wrote and submitted 10 applications for external graduate fellowships and grants.
• Present preliminary research at scientific conferences and symposiums.

Kalamazoo, Michigan Area

• Adhere to standard operating procedures in confirming samples for drugs in a high throughput laboratory.
• Accurately process samples using Laboratory Information Management Software (LIMS) and LC/MS/MS confirmation procedures and analyze, review, and report test results.
• Maintain and ensure a high level of accuracy and quality for results, records, and documentation.
• Manage time effectively to maintain production levels and meet production goals.
• Contribute, recommend and develop ideas for continuous process improvement and performance for procedures and workflow.

Ann Arbor, Michigan

• Assist with planning, designing, and implementing various research projects.
• Prepare samples for Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF), analyze the data, and summarize the findings.
• Create maps with ArcGIS to identify sample collection sites and patterns.
• Summarize and prepare project progress reports for lab meetings.
• Assist with writing reports, and maintain and update website content.
• Conduct literature reviews.

Davis, CA

- Histopathologic preparation of preserved endangered fish and morphometric analysis using a combination of microscopy and ImageJ software. - Statistical analyses of data using R and JMP software.

• Use cell counters to determine how many red blood cells are within a given blood sample.
• Change the media for cell cultures with a Pipet-Aid.
• Sterilize equipment used in necropsies by placing them in Vesphene and Maxizyme solutions, respectively, and, lastly, the autoclave.
• Label PCR tubes, OCTs, and cassettes for tissue sample collection.
• Clean biosafety cabinets.
• Store tissue samples with formalin in plastic bags and seal it with a sealing machine.

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd, Cellular And Molecular Pathology

Master’S Degree, Toxicology

Bachelor’S Degree, Environmental Toxicology

Activities and Societies: Mixed Student Union, Environmental Toxicology Club, Friends of the Burrowing Owl