Checkerspot is a high performance materials company that designs materials at a molecular level. We exist because the world needs new materials designed to perform better but are also less toxic and safer for the environment, and can be biomanufactured at scale.

We create materials at the intersection of art, nature and biotechnology using mycelium, one of the earth’s most regenerative resources. Our mission is to create a platform for the highest quality materials using Fine Mycelium™. Our first product, Reishi™ offers our partners in fashion an option for leather that is neither animal nor plastic, yet uncompromising in quality and aesthetic expression.- Designed and launched high throughput platforms to correlate process variables with the physiology of filamentous fungi.- Designed and prototyped small scale instrumented platform to measure metabolic activity of filamentous fungi. -Designed high throughput image processing pipelines to measure process variables using Python.-Deployed sensors throughout our pilot plant and research facilities. Maintained database for all sensor data. Produced detailed and relevant SOPs and quantitative reports using JMP and Google Data Studio for use in making key improvements in our pilot plant and growth environments.-Created SOPs and templates for quantitative and qualitative data collection across all experiments. Ran statistical analysis on data for these experiments to correlate with key response variables. Presented in internal and external data shares.

"Amelia leverages the human genome to create solutions for aging related disorders"-skills acquired in PCR troubleshooting, molecular subcloning (restriction enzyme based), Comet Chip assays, MTT assays, bacterial and mammalian cell culture- Developing a high throughput image processing pipeline in Python and OpenCV-Run social media accounts (Instagram, Twitter) with a 200+ follower increase in the course of a summer for a small biotech company, creating original scientific content with graphics, and created the Linkedin page amassing over 100 followers for the company-Implemented a unique branding strategy for Amelia Technologies; the DNA Damage & Aging Disorders company-Assist in designing 3D CAD models via Fusion 360 for lab support

I study the evolution of complex traits including bioluminescence.- Characterization of a model organism to study bioluminescnece- Skills acquired in Bioinformatics and RNA isolation-Presented at SICB 2019 conference in Tampa Florida-Received 2019 UCSB Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities grant- Second author on the paper Laboratory culture of the California Sea Firefly Vargula tsujii (Ostracoda: Cypridinidae): Developing a model system for the evolution of marine bioluminescence.

- Created a booklet of the award winning synthetic biology projects sent out to offices in London UK-Scientific Writing/Communication-Graphic Design

"Ginkgo Bioworks designs custom microbes for customers across multiple markets , developing new organisms that replace technology with biology"

- Worked in Pattie Maes's group Fluid Interfaces learning about persuasive technology-Invented and prototyped "Smart Straw" , a reusable straw that could detect the amount of liquid consumed by the user and persuade the user when to drink more using GIF's-Presented research to executives from Coca Cola and Target