Oversee laboratory operations, advise & assist with R&D objectives, administer the build-out of a new research facility for the organization

Research Highlights• Developed lab protocols for editing mammalian cell lines via CRISPR KO, CRISPRi and CRISPR knock-in• Generated dCas9 stable cell lines and performed multiple genome-wide CRISPRi screens• Established and standardized NGS library preps, including RNAseq and CUT&RUN (ChIPseq)• Engineered novel cell lines and honed screening techniques for genotyping and assaying cell health metricsManagerial Highlights• Responsible for all laboratory operations supporting the growth & development of a new academic lab • Maintained and oversaw all aspects of the day-to-day laboratory operations including: o Procurement and inventory of chemicals, reagents, biologicals and consumables o Repair and upkeep of laboratory equipment o Supervision, mentorship and advisement of lab personnel

Responsible for oversight of day-to-day laboratory operations as well as specific research projects aimed at achieving grant-related goals & objectives. Management duties include: maintaining lab inventories, training and mentoring personnel, managing budgets and financials, procuring lab supplies & chemicals, supervising undergraduate researchers, preserving & improving general lab organization. Research duties include: designing and implementing experiments, providing technical assistance to fellow colleagues, investigating new technologies and services.Research Highlights:• CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing• Mammalian cell culture• Fluorescence widefield and confocal microscopy• Flow cytometry• FRET sensor design and calibrationManagerial Highlights:• Direct and supervise undergraduate researchers• Maintain lab inventories via Quartzy software• Serve as CU ‘Green Labs’ building team lead• Oversee budgets & financials

Lead research scientist within the Biology department, responsible for: • Algal strain management • Growth analysis• Culture scale-up• Molecular identification of new algal strains and culture contaminants

Technical lead researcher for a multidisciplinary microbial metabolic engineering project aimed at the development and advancement of bio-renewable fuels and chemicals Laboratory highlights:• Identified, assessed and expressed metabolic engineering gene targets, resulting in a 10% improvement in biodiesel product yield• Sequenced, mapped and modeled microbial genomes and genetic loci via partnerships with national NextGen sequencing technology companies• Formulated, refined and implemented a reliable gene targeting protocol, leading to the successful knockout of 3 genetic loci• Established and optimized macromolecule isolation and purification techniques for nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) and total proteinManagerial highlights:• Supervised and directed a team of 3 researchers• Prepared and presented monthly progress reports and summaries to senior management and external collaborators • Integral in securing intellectual property protection toward the metabolic engineering of a novel microorganism

Advanced R&D efforts surrounding the production of microbial nutritional oils, leading to new products, improved strain yields and fermentation productivity:• Expanded R&D efforts toward the commercial production of triglyceride oils resulting in a 30% improvement in fermentation productivity• Generated essential data in support of intellectual property toward the development of an exclusive omega-3 product• Pioneered a scientific technique to genetically transform algae via electroporation, allowing for a clear path toward royalty-free commercialization• Identified, characterized & cloned novel fatty acid synthesis genes, including PUFA synthases and elongases

Essential in the refinement and scale-up of industrial microbial strains:• Developed strain improvement techniques for commercial lines of algae and yeast resulting in a 30% increase in fermentation productivity• Identified and investigated cellular machinery involved in de novo synthesis of high-value nutritional products, including omega-3 fatty acids, DHA & EPA• Pioneered new methods for microbial strain modification and analysis

Expanded and optimized R&D laboratory techniques related to proprietary commercial strains:• Developed and implemented poly and monoclonal antibody Western blotting protocols• Characterized a protein domain involved in the control of fatty acid synthesis end-product ratio• Tested, enhanced and implemented new technologies and protocols in the laboratory

• Investigated kinase-regulated environmental sensing pathways in S. cerevisiae• Developed multi-gene S. cerevisiae knockout strains via sporulation and tetrad analysis• Supervised undergraduate students and administered their research projects• Coordinated lab supply requests and purchases

• Characterized a novel protein domain involved in cell signaling and division in S. cerevisiae• Optimized GFP fluorescence microscopy observation techniques• Prepared common laboratory media and chemical solutions • Supervised a work-study student