Eric Lake Email & Phone Number

Madison, Wisconsin, United States

Illumina is the leader in sequencing technology that offers the promise of personalized medicine through genomics, among many other uses. I work in the Enzyme process Development group where we devise robust purifications of the various enzymes, with the utmost purity and activity, that are required for the sequencing process.

Lebeau Laboratory

Enhanced Cloning and Purification Methods:Streamlined cloning and purification protocols, while introducing a centralized cloning scheme, resulting in a remarkable 10-fold amplification of protein expression levels.Phage-Display Library Development:Orchestrated the creation of phage-display libraries from RNA samples extracted from immunized shark blood immune cells. These libraries were pivotal for the discovery of exclusive shark nanobodies aimed at novel cancer and disease targets.Structural Analysis of Nanobody Complexes:Spearheaded structural investigations of nanobody complexes, employing cutting-edge cryo-electron microscopy techniques, crystal structure analyses, and protein homology modeling. These efforts illuminated critical nanobody epitope interactions.Compliance and Leadership:Maintained strict adherence to biosafety and animal-use regulations, with a focus on nurse shark immunization and feeding protocols. Additionally, played a key role in training and supervising laboratory team members.Lab Management and Operations:Demonstrated exceptional organizational and management skills during the transition of the laboratory from UMN. Successfully oversaw lab setup, equipment installation, and maintenance, while managing grant project budgets. Developed comprehensive organizational systems for research materials, instituted standard lab protocols, and supervised a team of 2-3 full-time employees.

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Fluorescence-Based Assay Design:Designed innovative fluorescence-based assays tailored to quantify drug selectivity and assess conformational dynamics in protein kinases, a diverse group of cancer-associated targets.High-Throughput Screening Platform Development:Spearheaded the development of a high-throughput screening platform geared towards the discovery of next-generation protein kinase inhibitors, significantly advancing research in this critical area.Advanced Data Analysis and Programming:Proficiently analyzed complex spectroscopy data employing spectral unmixing, non-linear regression, and model fitting techniques across various software platforms. Wrote customized scripts and code in Python and Matlab to streamline data analysis processes.Structural Analysis and Kinetics Study:Conducted site-directed mutagenesis experiments and performed sequence analysis to systematically investigate the structural implications of point mutations. Additionally, meticulously measured protein kinase kinetics, shedding light on catalytic changes.Contributions to Intellectual Property and Publications:Made substantial contributions to work resulting in a submission to the US Patent and Trademark Office, which involved the innovative design and application of a fluorescence-based conformational screening methodology. Additionally, contributed to the publication of two research papers and secured several research grants.

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Innovative Protein Production Design:Designed pioneering cloning schemes and pre-production expression protocols tailored for the development of pharmaceutical-grade protein product lines. Emphasis was placed on utilizing animal-free and carrier-free materials, aligning with industry standards.GMP Large-Scale Purifications:Successfully executed Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) compliant large-scale purifications, yielding gram quantities of both recombinant and natural-source proteins. Employed a diverse array of liquid chromatography systems and resins to ensure top-tier quality.Protocol Optimization and GMP Compliance:Spearheaded the optimization of outdated protocols, bringing them up to GMP-grade standards while simultaneously enhancing the yield and purity of high-value protein products. Authored entirely new GMP protocols to drive pharmaceutical-grade product lines.Cost-Saving Initiatives:Implemented strategic cost-saving initiatives that yielded substantial savings, reducing production waste by an average of $5,000 per quarter. This was achieved through meticulous expense tracking, inventory reduction strategies, and identifying cost-effective alternatives from new vendors.Recognition and Awards:Recognized and awarded the title of "R&D Systems Employee of the Quarter, FY15-Q3 (2015)" for outstanding contributions and accomplishments in the field of pharmaceutical-grade protein production.

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Chemical Extractions and Forensic Analysis:Proficiently conducted diverse chemical extractions on patient samples, including blood, urine, and feces, within a high-volume processing facility. These extractions were critical for medication compliance and forensic analysis.Instrumentation Management and Training:Demonstrated expertise in the operation and maintenance of LC/MS/MS and GC/MS instrumentation, crucial for sample analysis. Acted as a mentor to new team members, providing comprehensive training on analytical procedures. Additionally, assumed responsibility for verifying reports generated by other technologists prior to result release.Regulatory Compliance and Reporting:Ensured strict adherence to protocols and meticulously maintained documentation to meet FDA compliance standards for reporting. Managed scheduled substances in accordance with DEA licensure requirements and efficiently relayed results to medical professionals, contributing to seamless patient care.Committee Involvement in Technological Advancement:Played an integral role in the implementation and validation committee for a state-of-the-art cloud-based chromatogram review system, Indigo Biosystems. This innovative system replaced an outdated paper reporting process, enhancing efficiency and accuracy in reporting and analysis within the organization.

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd, Pharmacology

Activities and Societies: Department of Pharmacology Graduate Admissions Committee (2020-2021) Committee for Biomedical Sciences Graduate.

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Biochemistry, Cum Laude

Activities and Societies: Organic Chemistry Teaching Assistant (2010-2012) Undergraduate Researcher under direction of Dr. Timothy M..