Amanda Morrison Email & Phone Number

United States

Orange, Nsw, Au

Driving innovation in sustainable agriculture by ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Specialized in risk assessment, product stewardship, and cross-functional collaboration to integrate regulatory considerations into cutting-edge microbial technology. Committed to advancing environmental sustainability and public health through meticulous documentation and strategic mitigation.

Cary, Nc, Us

In my role as a Regulatory Affairs Manager at Verdesian Life Sciences, I led regulatory product management efforts across multiple global regions, ensuring compliance and safety to us humans and our environment. I collaborated with customers, government agencies, and internal cross-functional teams to verify regulations and facilitate freedom to operate in the Americas, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia. • Managed product registrations for technologies including fertilizers, micronutrients, soil adjuvants/amendments, fertilizer enhancers, biostimulants, seed treatments, biologicals, pesticides, biocides, fungicides, animal feed and aquaculture product registrations• Collaborated with multidisciplinary stakeholders to verify compliance and assess new market access• Oversaw regulatory project management processes to ensure continual workflow efficiencies and proper record keeping

Cary, Nc, Us

• Coordinated tasks across multiple departments for regulatory document preparation and approval processes• Advised project teams on premarket regulatory requirements and compliance issues• Reviewed product promotional materials for compliance with regulations and policies

Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, Us

• Project planning from conception to implementation• Lead with adaptability • Map out timelines• Assess project risks and opportunities • Execute each phase of the project life cycle• Create, allocate, and manage budget• Communicate with all stakeholders• Troubleshoot problems and challenges• Deliver the end product or service ensuring ROI (return on investment)

Ludwigshafen, De

Collaborated with data scientists and database developers to create dynamic, user-friendly, real-time data visualizations for multiple cross-functional groups, including the De Novo Discovery, Protein Engineering, and Screening teams. Established effective digital business solutions by assembling process workflows, mapping the optimal data landscape, and identifying appropriate repositories for unstructured data. Served as global liaison between the R&D group and colleagues in IT, DevOps, and Bioinformatics. Conducted field and application studies across 8 international locations leading to reliable digital platform changes. Key Accomplishments* Designed and developed Microsoft Power BI dashboards for analyzing EC50 protein activity, supporting Key Performance Indicator (KPI) tracking and decision making for critical research activities, including fungal resistant soy (FRS) and microbiome discovery, allocating bioassay capacity and resources, and creating power analyses and insect health reports.* Mined, managed, and curated millions of data points, spanning years of bioassay research, in order to generate efficient, results-oriented dashboard visuals for global business stakeholders.* Unified data from LIMS, Microsoft Excel, Python, R Suite, and SQL spreadsheets and databases to create interactive, immersive dashboards and reports providing practicable information to drive business development.* Collected and systematized large quantities of data to improve the navigation and utilization of IT software for the Trait Research portfolio and support the findability, accessibility, interoperability, and reusability (FAIR) management and release of seeds and traits data.* Mobilized competitive intellectual property (IP) to the forefront of research into trait discovery and genome editing by enabling the use of the VESTA platform for mutagenesis and genome editing and establishing a uniform requesting process across platform technologies.

Ludwigshafen, De

Completed high-throughput recombinant expression, purification, and characterization of lead proteins to facilitate the identification of novel microbial, protein, RNA, and DNA trait enhancements for economically important target plant species, including canola, corn, cotton, soybean, and wheat. Performed phytotoxic surrogate assays in tobacco transient expression and Arabidopsis model systems. Functioned as in-house protein digestion expert for determining the stability of gut enzymatic reactions. Maintained insect cell-line and controls for receptor-binding surrogate assays for competition studies.Key Accomplishments* Assisted with the development of new cell-based viability assay, resulting in a patent application, which demonstrates how novel proteins bind to previously unknown receptors in insect cells and can be used to screen toxin libraries for variants that show increases in insecticidal activity.* Engineered, tested, and analyzed more than 500 random and model-based mutant protein libraries for directed evolution and novel mode of action studies. Designed and ordered oligos for 3 cry gene target species and conducted analyses of all sequence files.* Generated knock-out libraries for Vegetative insecticidal proteins (Vip) and Cry endotoxins in Escherichia coli (E. coli) or Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) expression systems to pinpoint synergistic or alternative modes of action for target specimens.

Ludwigshafen, De

Utilized imaging annotation software to generate training models and propelled machine learning automation to assist in the development of digital visualization solutions for the classification of plant tissue versus insect eggs and larva and soybean cyst nematodes and the completion of herbicide tolerance phenotyping, driving assay development among interdisciplinary teams. Provided training for 130 colleagues on data entry into Laboratory Information Management (LIMS) and Quality Management (QMS) systems.Key Accomplishments* Increased the production of trait research initiatives 400% by designing and implementing an integrated automated data capture workflow utilizing a standardized high-resolution and infrared (IR) sensor scoring system.* Introduced pipeline efficiencies by sourcing and learning different high-throughput robotic automations and imaging platforms to assist with employee ergonomics and increase process standardizations by 200%.* Optimized LIMS and SQL databases for adaptable scientific use in the laboratory by integrating standardized machine learning algorithms to generate highly specialized reports and ensuring accurate recordkeeping into a searchable database.* Member of Global Phenotyping Team of image analysis experts’ network for sharing innovative ideas and synergistic collaborations.

Leverkusen, North Rhine-Westphalia, De

Dedicated to finding cutting edge methods for developing novel targeted pest management solutions for commercially important crops, including canola, corn, cotton, soybean, and wheat. Implemented imaging tools to assist in standardizing scoring methods for all insect-microbe or pure protein bioassays.Key Accomplishments* Redesigned leaf disc plant bioassays for pilot study to increase throughput and adopt new imaging robots to assess insect feeding damage. Replaced filtered petri dishes with agar based medium in a microtiter plate to decrease set up time, increase biological replicates, adjusted insect pressure, and improved worker ergonomics. Plant tissue was sampled for copy number and ELISA analyses before transplanting to greenhouse. * Changed the entire Pest Screening pipeline workflow to accommodate new bioimaging technologies and improve employee health while enabling reproducible and consistent data for driving decisions. * Aided Nematology group in maintaining Soybean Cyst Nematode J2 colony including germinating host plant system, planting, watering, takedown, and cyst extraction. * Evaluated protein-insect interactions through the use of time-lapse photography. Developed speed of action studies, plant preference tests, and monitored insect behavior. * Developed insect hatch reporting metrics for in vitro bioassays, tracked and monitored multiple egg species incubation rates depending on duration, temperature, and humidity. Programmed and installed Raspberry Pi cameras for hourly timed image capture to analyze caterpillar emergence to determine viability of insects and percent hatch rate. Automating this process eliminated the need for weekend shift work. * Group representative for microbial strains and seeds database management teams. Weekly meetings to request and QA test new user interface (UI) features and functionality.

Leverkusen, North Rhine-Westphalia, De

Specialized in experimental design for applications targeted towards evaluating 20-30 agricultural pest species against Soy, Corn, and Cotton host plants. Coordinated all Corn (Maize) root-trainer assays in greenhouse to evaluate effects of Western and Southern Corn Rootworm species on novel GM plant material. Manually cleaned, separated, and infested Rootworms by concocting egg suspension delivery system. Key Accomplishments* Traveled to many national and international field-site locations to aid in set-up, sampling, and scoring of test plots during different pipeline phases and product life cycles.* Weekly in vitro studies were all eye-scored under a magnifier resulting in potential for human inconsistencies, eye-fatigue, and ergonomic issues. Leading then to the procurement of camera-sensor based scoring system in the later roles I filled.* Incorporated two 3D Printer systems to facilitate the need for custom labware and innovative solutions. Designed insect egg-dispensing template, tube racks, shaker holders, microtiter plate props, and pilot assay plate test prototypes.

Leverkusen, North Rhine-Westphalia, De

Athenix & Bayer Integrations occurred between 2009-2010Found a need for process improvements in Pest Screening group to deliver quantitative results more efficiently and at lower cost to help facilitate the discovery of novel insecticidal traits in key economically important crops. Key Accomplishments* Reworked the Lygus bioassay to increase plate infesting rates. Eliminated brush infesting which unintentionally injured the insects/eggs resulting in false positives in bioassay results. Changed to multi-channel pipetting egg slurry dispenser system increasing productivity by 600% while generating more reliable data for scientists. * Cross-trained in microbiology, biochemistry, plant transformation, and plant analysis functional groups to build trust and understanding between each discipline in the business.

Athenix was acquired by Bayer in 2009. Experimented with microbial strains collections from around the world for investigating novelty of potential insecticidal trait activity targeting major pest species including Lepidopterans, Hemipterans, Coleopterans, and Dipterans.Key Accomplishments * Collaboration with Monsanto to find a solution for Tarnished Plant Bug (Lygus sp.) allowed for the assay development of completely new sachet-type bioassay for piercing-sucking insects that would later be patented and applied to future Hemiptera species within the organization. * Assisted plant analysis group with quantifying plant DNA to confirm protein expression levels are working in the plant machinery and not being silenced or degraded. * Prepared synthetic diet media for the group, made control reagents, and maintained consumables supply chain.

Raleigh, North Carolina, Us

• Updated and maintained NCSU's greenhouse database system• Assisted the Undergraduate Office of the Department of Plant Biology with archival records for retiring staff• Teacher's assistant for Botany 101 and Paleobotany undergraduate courses

Raleigh, North Carolina, Us

• Viral genomics lab with Dr. Linda Hanley-Bowdoin• Maintained Nicotinia sp. suspension cultures for geminiviruses' replication studies• Epifluorescence of DNA cell cycle replication• Vector cloning, sub-cloning, gene expression techniques• Histone-Protein and chromatin isolations• In-situ antibody hybridizations• Microtome and slide fixation preparations• Microscopy imaging and real-time mitotic cell-cycle replication video capture• DC and Bradford Assays

Post-Bacculareate Courses, Entomology Coursework Honey Bee Management And Insect Phylogeny/Taxonomy

Bachelors, Biochemistry, Plant Biology

Associate Of Science - As, Applied Science