Senior Scientist
CurrentDevelopment of medical IVD systems for tuberculosis and sepsis.Adherence to GMP/QSR/ISO guidelines.BSL-3 Certification for handling of clinical mycobacterial and fungal specimens. Modified a method for clinical patient samples (e.g. sputum, pleural fluid) to digest, decontaminate mycobacteria using NALC-NaOH reagents. The research improved isolation and recovery utilizing theoretical biomass and expected viability after processing.Culturing mycobacteria, bacteria, and molds and creating serial dilutions for seeded testing with the VersaTREK Myco, BACTEC FX, and BACT/ALERT culture system. Performed physical testing (pH, vacuum, etc.) of biotechnology products using Hunter XE Labscan and Metrohm instruments. Personally maintained the Labscan instrument.Use of Vitek-MS and VITEK 2 systems for identification and susceptibility testing of organisms.Experienced in writing and executing Verification and Validation protocols and reports.Led and executed testing for Design Control experiments with data analysis using MS Office applications and Minitab.Executed Clinical Trial testing for IVD systems, ID methodologies, and medical products.Led study to determine the exclusivity of qPCR panels with pathogenic fungi to determine potential interference of cross-reactivity.Experience using ThermoScientific IC instrument to trace cations and anions in solid and liquid samples to determine correct manufacturing and troubleshooting.Created and presented poster for ASM 2017 at New Orleans, LA: “VITEK®MS Mycobacteria Identification: A method robustness study for liquid media using simulated sputum”.Coauthor for a published manuscript in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology: "Performance of VITEK® MS v3.0 for Identification of Mycobacterium Species from Patient Samples by Use of Automated Liquid Medium Systems."General upkeep of laboratory, routine cultures, materials, and reagents as necessary to ensure aseptic practice and a healthy lab community.
