Eric Wester Email & Phone Number

United States

Fairfax

• Translate benchtop lab procedures into automated solutions on Tecan Freedom EVO and Hamilton Star to increase lab productivity.
• Develop scripts for EVO200 (LiHa, MCA384, Roma, Tecan infinite F200 Fluorescence reader, Thermo Matrix Decapper, Agilent PlateLoc, 4 Torrey Pines cooling units): NGS library prep, DNA quantitation, 384 qPCR setup.
• Create scripts for EVO150 (LiHa, MCA96, Roma, T-shake, 2 Torrey Pines cooling units): DNA/RNA normalization, plate to plate RNA aliquoting.
• Configure two Freedom EVO instruments for clinical lab usage (CLIA, CAP) with audit trail archiving, software backup, user management, and maintenance SOP.
• Troubleshoot automation errors in response to user work tickets.
• Manage production pipeline for high-throughput nucleic acid extraction, tracking, and shipping.

Rockville, MD

• Prepared and sequenced RNA and DNA viruses, which represent the majority of emerging disease threats, utilizing multiple platforms (454, Illumina, Ion Torrent).
• Nucleotide barcoded samples for sequencing libraries while working independently in a high throughput environment.
• Researched and developed methods/products; wrote SOPs.
• Presented experimental results, data analysis, and future plans to lab members.
• Trained Research Associates on project-specific laboratory methods/protocols.
• Managed laboratory supply inventory.

Rockville, MD

• Performed Comparative Genomic Hybridization on bacterial species using multiple microarray platforms to study the evolution of toxin genes.
• Extracted purified DNA from culture for use in PCR and microarray protocols.
• Completed downstream analysis using UNIX scripts, Feature Extraction, and in-house TM4 software suite (Express Converter, Spotfinder, MidasX, MEV, Ginkgo, Willow).
• Researched and developed methods and wrote protocols.
• Presented experimental results, analysis, and future plans to lab members.

Baltimore, Maryland Area

• Performed experiments to determine the infectious agent of Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs), including Scrapie, BSE, and vCJD, and to explore the physical properties of PrPres, the current marker for.
• Gained USDA and HHS approval to work with a controlled substance.
• Performed Centrifugal Gradients, SDS-PAGE, and Western Blots under BL-2 and BL-3 conditions.