Blesson John Email & Phone Number

Boston, Ma, Us

Greater Boston

Boston, Ma

Initially hired as a contractor through The Fountain Group. Promoted to permanent employee in August 2018.--Part of a four member team responsible for detailed analytical characterization of early drug candidates using HPLC/UPLC based methods, light scattering methods, thermal stability, capillary electrophoresis based methods, and mass spectrometry. Developed familiarity with a variety of molecules including monoclonal antibodies, bispecific antibodies, peptides, and Fc-fusion proteins.--Gained significant hands-on experience in high throughput method development and execution by supporting fast paced matrix organization based discovery programs.--Successfully handling multiple projects, adapting to rapid changes in projects priorities, and meeting aggressive timelines while working in a collaborative manner across functional areas within matrix organization.--Familiar with other analytical methods and high throughput systems for detailed characterization of large number of biologics molecules in high throughput methods.Laboratory Techniques: SEC, RP, DLS, SEC-MALS, DSC, DSF, CE-SDS-PAGE (LabChip), Endotoxin testing (chromogenic assay, Endosafe), AC-SINS, HIC, cIEF, LC-MS (Agilent 6520, Waters Xevo G2-S)Other Relevant Proficiencies and Keywords: Empower 3, ChemStation, Waters and Agilent chromatography systems, Agilent MassHunter package, Genedata Expressionist, Waters MassLynx

Boston/Uganda

nuway (formerly Nyweza) is a startup making boda bodas (motorcycle taxis) safer in Uganda. I was a co-founder of the company, which was formed after winning a pitch competition at MIT in April 2015. During my time at the company, we took an idea for a safety device from a brainstormed concept to a first generation product that is being field tested in Uganda. My role at the company was fundraising, and I was able to secure enough capital for initial product development and testing. I am no longer at the company due to my commitments in the states.During my tenure at nuway, I gained many practical skills that come with attempting a startup, including public speaking, developing a business plan, and effectively pitching an idea. I was fortunate to participate in accelerator programs from Unreasonable and Social Enterprise Greenhouse. I was also able to share our story at conferences, pitch competitions, and other events around the country.

Lexington, Ma

--Integral part of R&D team for two different assays (hemostasis and sepsis detection). The latter (T2Bacteria®) went on to receive FDA approval and a CE mark and is currently on the market.--Contributed to development and execution of various studies including assay optimization, reproducibility, reagent stability, and method comparison.--Part of two-member team responsible for development and execution of automated reagent manufacturing process for preparing reagent vials used in assay studies. --Ensured that all instruments in lab were in compliance with company’s quality system and worked across functional teams to communicate device issues.--Worked with microbiology team to prepare contrived blood samples used for sepsis assay experiments. Communicated across teams to ensure that samples were prepared according to specifications.--Prepared, edited, and reviewed protocols, batch records, reports, and other documentation consistent with GMP/GLP requirements using a quality system with document control (Solidworks Enterprise PDM).

Cambridge,Ma

--Diagnostics For All (DFA) is a biotech company saving lives through the creation of low-cost, easy-to-use, point-of-care diagnostic devices designed specifically for the developing world.--Developed low-cost, multiplexed biochemical assays for food pathogen detection using DFA’s elegant paper microfluidics technology. Main scientist responsible for this project.--Primarily responsible for all aspects of assay development, from initial research to final prototypes.--Designed and conducted all experiments, designed and evaluated multiple platforms.--Responsible for maintaining and working with many different bacterial strains.--Presented results weekly to industry collaborator (Merck KGaA) and participated in technical design reviews.

Arlington,Tx

--Research in the Nanomedicine and Drug Delivery Lab at the University of Texas at Arlington, Department of Bioengineering.--Worked with doctoral student on two early-stage projects (still ongoing) to design, synthesize and evaluate stimuli-sensitive core shell nanoparticles for drug delivery. The ultimate goal of the work is to enhance delivery of cancer therapeutics in vivo.

Dallas,Tx

--Improved vergence eye movement testing prototype device built in previous summer.--Tested patients for a pilot study of vergence movements in the pediatric population.--Managed patient data and analyzed data from the pilot study using MATLAB.--Conducted patient interviews, conducted visual acuity and eye movement recording tests.--Performed administrative duties such as scheduling patient appointments, updating patient database, and mailing test results to referring opthamologists.--Outcomes include two co-authored studies that were accepted for presentation at the Association for Research in Vision and Opthalmology (ARVO) national meeting.

College Station,Texas

--Aggie Challenge is a program at Texas A&M aimed at providing engineering students a chance to work on projects that can have a significant global impact.--Worked with a team to design and build a low cost spectrophotometer for hospitals in the developing world. Our design was taken to rural hospitals in Rwanda for field testing through the Texas A&M/Engineering World Health Summer Institute.

College Station,Tx

--Successfully designed and built a working prototype of a glucometer capable of accepting multiple brands of test strips and accurately calculating and displaying a patient's blood sugar level. The eventual goal of the project is to produce a universal glucometer that can be applied to resource-poor settings.--Applied and participated in major aspects of the engineering design process such as project management, failure mode effects analysis (FMEA), technical design reviews, and development of test methods for device characterization.--Our team's project was selected to be featured in the biomedical engineering department's annual magazine, which highlights achievements by students and faculty of the department.

College Station,Tx

--Served as musical director for Swaram, an a cappella group fusing American and Hindi music.--Managed rehearsals, arranged music, prepared team for local/state/national competitions, produced albums, etc.--During my time in leadership, the group qualified for Gathe Raho, the national championship of fusion a cappella twice and was recognized as one of the top South Asian a cappella groups in the country. We were also invited to audition for NBC's "The Sing Off" by the show's executive producer.--One of my arrangements, "Skyfall/Saans" was chosen for inclusion in Voices Only 2013, a compilation album featuring the top collegiate a cappella work of the year from across the country. Our group was the first South Asian a cappella group ever to be included in this compilation.

Dallas/Fort Worth Area

--Summer internship at an independent nonprofit visual research facility.--Programmed and tested visual stimuli used for tracking eye movements (EyeLink 1000 camera system).--Programmed, built, and tested a microcontroller-based system for conducting vergence testing on infants.--Conducted eye movement testing, visual acuity testing, and patient interviews.--Performed administrative duties such as scheduling patient appointments, updating patient database, and mailing test results to referring opthamologists.

Dallas,Tx

--Gained marketing and event planning experience at a nonprofit dedicated to raising money for diabetes research.--Helped maintain computers and provided technical assistance at the Dallas chapter office.--Registered participants for Walk for the Cure and Ride for the Cure and contacted companies about sponsoring these events.--Assisted the office manager in preparing the chapter for audit.

--Research in the Biosensing Systems and Materials (BioSyms) Lab at Texas A&M University.--Tested thermal stability of the proteins used in competitive binding glucose sensors.--Researched if any modifications could improve thermal stability of these proteins for use in vivo.

College Station,Tx

--Summer REU Program funded by the National Science Foundation.--Worked on developing a competitive binding glucose sensor incorporating inorganic nanoparticles.--Sensor will be used for minimally invasive monitoring of glucose levels in diabetes patients.

College Station,Tx

--Research collaboration between Texas A&M University and NASA.--Project improved wastewater recovery systems for NASA vehicles. --Designed treatment method for treating urine using UV light.--Co-author of article published in Explorations, a peer-reviewed journal highlighting outstanding research conducted by undergraduates at Texas A&M each year. Additionally, the work was accepted for poster presentation at SpaceVision, the national conference of Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS).

Bachelor Of Science, Biomedical Engineering

Activities and Societies: Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, Swaram A Cappella, Pioneers Youth Ministry

Certificate Program, Quality Assurance And Control

Certificate program with coursework in quality assurance, quality control, good manufacturing practices, and regulatory compliance.

Master Of Science (M.S.), Biomedical/Medical Engineering

Joint graduate program between The University of Texas at Arlington and UT Southwestern Medical Center. Biomaterials and Tissue.