Heather Vaaler Email & Phone Number

San Diego, California, United States

San Diego, California, United States

San Diego, Ca

San Diego, Ca

Lead and executed technical and laboratory projects to support assay development efforts for eventual use in diagnostic and/or clinical testing applications. Designed and executed laboratory experiments and testing programs, evaluated test data, prepared associated documentation and reports, and trained new R&D and Clinical staff on technical and operational procedures. • Successfully designed and implemented test method/ strategy to empirically determine the limit of detection for sequencing in the CDx assay (TrailBlaze PharosTM) for PMA filing.• Lead inter-intra departmental troubleshooting and supported external collaborators to identify and correct problems that would adversely affect test performance/results.

San Diego, Ca

Optimized and performed epigenetic studies to evaluate gene signatures in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Investigated new multiplex platforms and technologies for biomarker research to support PD assay development. Performed as technical lead in development and implementation of CDx assay (TrailBlaze PharosTM) to support entrectinib approval.• Learned and implemented Infinium HD BeadChip Array system for Methylation studies. Processed over 100 samples manually and generated data that played a critical role for the company to make an informed decision leading to a pivotal change in the company’s focus.• Investigated new chemistries (NanoString, CNV, RNASeq). Worked with vendors to improve quality of data and found methods to streamline and make processes more efficient.• Supported development of custom RNA and DNA NGS panels. Successfully optimized, set assay parameters and transferred assay to the clinical lab to be run as a companion diagnostic (CDx) in CLIA/CAP setting.

San Diego, Ca

Aided in the development of noninvasive prenatal diagnostic platforms utilizing qPCR, WGA, and sequencing methods. Served as technical lead in establishing new instrumentation and chemistries.• Established new instrumentation and chemistries within the laboratory for Agilent aCGH and Ion Torrent PGM platforms. Performed over 100 experiments on each instrument; analyzed results and prepared quantifiable data in an organized report.• Helped optimize in-house isothermal Whole Genome Amplification (WGA) protocol. Successfully performed WGA using Rubicon and Sigma kits on cells and DNA.• Validated various processes using Taqman and SYBRgreen qPCR assays. Both 384 and 96-well plate formats were used for the ABI7900 and ABI7500 respectfully.• Maintained multiple cell lines, froze down cells, extracted DNA, and picked single cells for downstream experiments.• Prepared PBMCs from patient samples via Ficoll density gradient followed by MACs enrichment to isolate cell population of interest.

Ms, Biology

Activities and Societies: Endocrine Society Summer Research Fellowship, UCSD, 2008 Masters Thesis Research: 04/2007- 03/2009 Investigated.

Bs, Biochemistry And Cell Biology

Activities and Societies: Doris H. Howell Fellowship, UCSD, 2006 UCSD Women’s NCAA DII Volleyball Player 2004-2006