I oversee a high-throughput antibody testing facility at the University of Ottawa. Our focus the past two years has been conducting serological testing for COVID-19 antibodies for large cohort studies. My team collaborates extensively with researchers across Canada, and our facility has shouldered approximately 25% of all COVID-19 serological studies in the country, including collaborations with Statistics Canada and the National Microbiology Laboratory. The rapidly-shifting landscape of the pandemic over the past two years required rapid adaptations to provide relevant and informative data on responses to infections, vaccines doses and reinfections by different strains of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.In my position, I must wear many hats: -I manage a dynamic team of technicians to optimize and conduct ELISAs for detection of SARS-CoV-2-reactive antibodies using high-throughput liquid handling robots (Hamilton Robotics).-I implement and maintain digital infrastructure to facilitate large-scale sample receipt and reconciliation, sample storage, tracking and updating multiple concurrent project details, high volume data acquisition and storage, SOPs and quality control, large-cohort data analysis, and detailed accounting records.-I communicate regularly with collaborators from academic, clinical and government organizations, where I provide timelines, data results, data interpretations and technical expertise. These collaborations are comparable to managing and interacting with clients, and has enabled me to develop strong interpersonal skills.-I conduct maintenance and programming on the automated systems to ensure facility operations can carry on in the face of unexpected challenges. I have thus gained an excellent understanding of, and appreciation for, automation in the field of research and diagnostics.The future of the facility after the COVID-19 pandemic is an exciting one, as we work to expand our testing repertoire to other respiratory viruses.

Conducted concurrent research projects pertaining to the phagolysosome, a cellular organelle responsible for the clearance of infectious and harmful agents from the body:• Designed a cell coculture assay to visualize and investigate a novel, discrete immune cell communication process• Developed a novel mass spectrometry-based approach to profile antigen processing patterns in phagocytes• Troubleshot and implemented a lentivirus-mediated method for immortalizing and culturing myeloid stem cells• Conducted microCT and histological analysis of osteopetrotic mouse bones• Transfected and imaged primary macrophagesOptimized layout of laboratory supplies and equipment, coordinated and oversaw maintenance of equipment (microscopes, centrifuges, plate readers etc.)Worked in a cooperative and effective manner as a team of 8-10 researchers bearing diverse levels and scopes of expertiseContributed data to four pending publications in high-impact journals (Sci. Adv., Cell Death and Diff., Autophagy x2)Taught and mentored 7 graduate students and 2 undergraduate students in technical skills and biological concepts - directly supervised 1 undergraduate co-op student (University of Victora) for 2 consecutive summer termsTrained in WHMIS, OHSA, animal handling (mouse, zebrafish), and biosaftety level 2 laboratory regulations

My PhD was centered around deciphering mechanisms behind the development and patterning of the vasculature, using zebrafish as a model system. My project investigated the role of the transcription factor FoxF2 in promoting blood vessel stability through promoting perivascular cell maturation. On a daily basis, I planned and performed experiments, recorded and analyzed the resulting data, and communicated my findings and other scientific principles, both written and orally. I published a first-author paper in Developmental Dynamics (PMID 25476803), and was a contributing author on a high-impact Lancet Neurology (PMID 27068588) publication and a JCI publication (PMID 25250569). I frequently reviewed scientific works for colleagues and peers, using critical thinking skills to identify flaws and suggest improvements for the benefit of them and the scientific field. I was the treasurer for my department's graduate student association and was also involved in the planning and implementation of several educational and social events.

Held position for two consecutive years. During this full-year course, I was responsible for the supervision and instruction of 14-16 third-year undergraduate students in molecular biology techniques, explaining and demonstrating common laboratory methods for the purpose of equipping the students to carry out research project. Students were required to maintain a lab notebook, which I graded on a weekly basis, as well as a final project report that I graded at the end of each term. I provided support to the students and helped troubleshoot experimental roadblocks, and mediated interpersonal conflicts between students when necessary.