As the Chief Science Officer for the Portland-based biotech startup Rewire Neuro, Inc, I play pivotal roles in product development and testing, high-level customer technical support, sales and marketing, grant writing, and fostering B2B relationships. We leverage the power of AI to provide automated microscopy image analysis solutions for both academic researchers and biodevice manufacturers. My direct contributions have brought in dozens of new users and fostered a multi-year B2B relationship with a biotechnology device partner. This is an ideal role to combine my microscopy expertise and many years of experience coordinating teams with diverse backgrounds. Rewire is an excellent setting to utilize my knowledge, communication skills, and leadership experience to refine our product and grow. I've greatly enjoyed wearing many hats in this role, and I love learning many new things about business and product development.

I initially started helping Rewire Neuro part-time while I was a Postdoctoral Researcher at WSU. As part of this, I lead the team through the NSF I-Corps program where I learned about market research and the process of commercializing research products emerging from academic institutions. Additionally, I assisted with beta testing and product development for early versions of the company's main products, secured grant funding for prototype development, and helped set up and staff product booths at large international conferences multiple years in a row.

My research focused on the auditory system, using zebrafish to understand the effects of excessive noise on hearing loss. These fish have auditory sensory cells which are highly similar to those found in humans, and their wealth of available genetic and molecular tools allow for fine dissection of cellular level mechanisms of noise damage. My role in the lab included leading a team studying how excessive sound damages hearing and identifying potential therapeutic drugs to prevent or treat noise-induced hearing loss.

I studied the hindbrain neural network underlying vocal production in the frog Xenopus laevis. I primarily used electrophysiological recording techniques combined with tract tracing and imaging to understand the cell types involved in this complex vertebrate central pattern generator.

I received my PhD in the Dept of Neurobiology and Behavior, with an emphasis in Molecular Biology and Genetics, in the lab of Dr. David Deitcher. My dissertation work studied the genetic basis of motor behavior in the fruitfly, Drosophila melanogaster, utilizing a mix of behavioral assays, molecular biology, and imaging techniques. In this lab I also developed my own novel research tools, including a transgenic fly line and antibody.I was also a graduate teaching assistant for the Introduction to Neurobiology lecture course, as well as the upper division Molecular Techniques for Neurobiology laboratory course.I also served as the social chair and president of our department's Graduate Student Association.

In the Neuroscience lab of Dr. Shawn Lockery, I performed research on the nematode (C. elegans) locomotor network, with use of genetic labeling tools, behavioral assays, and design and creation of artificial microfluidic substrates using photolithography.

In the summer between high school and undergrad, I worked full time at the local Humane Society, alternating between animal care and customer service roles.

As a high schooler, I gained valuable clinical and customer service experience in this role as a part-time veterinary assistant. On the front-end, I checked-in clients and patients and performed routine patient wellness checks before the doctor's examination. In addition, on the backend, I frequently assisted the doctors with clinical procedures, cared for in-patients, filled prescriptions, cleaned surgical tools, and contributed to overall upkeep and and maintenance of the clinic.