I balance multiple projects involving different organisms, conducting R&D, and quality control work. My responsibilities include optimizing ingredient production, advancing microbial ingredient development, and ensuring product quality through rigorous assays and meticulous record-keeping.• Played a key role in the development of Bacillus Lysate, an ingredient now available for sale to personal care companies and incorporated into our award-winning Aeonia skincare line. The Aeonia line… Show more I balance multiple projects involving different organisms, conducting R&D, and quality control work. My responsibilities include optimizing ingredient production, advancing microbial ingredient development, and ensuring product quality through rigorous assays and meticulous record-keeping.• Played a key role in the development of Bacillus Lysate, an ingredient now available for sale to personal care companies and incorporated into our award-winning Aeonia skincare line. The Aeonia line has received accolades, including Lux Life Magazine’s Most Innovative Skincare Company 2024.• Represented Bacillus Lysate at exhibition booths in NYC, showcasing expertise and product knowledge. • Achieved a 100% increase in final product yield through enhanced cell culture media formulation while maintaining stringent quality control standards. • Acquired proficiency in using the AKTA Explorer system for size-exclusion chromatography, effectively utilizing a BPG column to reduce processing time and increase volume per run by nearly 29 times by transitioning from smaller columns.• Collected and isolated bacteria and fungi from diverse samples and then skillfully prepared cryopreserved stock samples, laying the groundwork for innovative ingredient research.• Successfully executed processing experiments requested by the CMO, focusing on size feasibility and demonstrating effective collaboration and problem-solving skills.• Monitored product shelf life and degradation profiles under various storage conditions, analyzed stability data trends, and prepared comprehensive stability reports.• Conducted rigorous QC procedures for in-house and Contract Manufacturing Organization (CMO) materials utilizing various techniques, including UV spectrum analysis, Bradford assay, pH measurements, sterility testing, turbidity assessments, and SDS-PAGE. Show less

• Optimized the production of a size-exclusion purified fractionated fungal extract (HEC) by reducing the use of 2 of the 5 raw materials by 50% each leading to lowered expenditure of materials, learning to use a tangential flow filtration (TFF) system to concentrate the material by 100X in less than a day (previously taking a full week), and identifying alternative raw material vendors. These changes maintained the QC standards of the final product and made HEC suitable for contract… Show more • Optimized the production of a size-exclusion purified fractionated fungal extract (HEC) by reducing the use of 2 of the 5 raw materials by 50% each leading to lowered expenditure of materials, learning to use a tangential flow filtration (TFF) system to concentrate the material by 100X in less than a day (previously taking a full week), and identifying alternative raw material vendors. These changes maintained the QC standards of the final product and made HEC suitable for contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs).• Conducted product stability assessments at three intermediate stages along with the final material during the production process of HEC over a year, ensuring high-quality and consistent final products that met quality control standards and allowed for potential storage points in the long processing process.• Expertly managed the maintenance of lyophilized freeze dryers, focusing on proper upkeep of the vacuum pumps to ensure optimal performance and consistent reliability for crucial processes. This detailed maintenance approach has effectively reduced the need for biannual deep cleanings to just once a year. • Co-led the creation of over 24 comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and batch records for equipment usage, quality control, and production processes.• Guided and mentored new team members during the member's lab onboarding process to facilitate effective integration and knowledge transfer.• Conducted in-depth investigations into static biofilm growth conditions for a lesser-known bacterium linked to diabetic foot ulcers, advancing our ability to grow them in an in-vitro lab setting.• Ventured with team members to collect novel organisms thriving under extreme conditions, traveling a mile underground at the Sanford Underground Research Facility. This effort contributed to groundbreaking research and expanded the laboratory’s microbial diversity for innovative applications, paving the way for future scientific discoveries. Show less

• Conducted toxicology and behavioral experiments on the spotted wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii).• Prepared agar media and cultured Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) strains to assess the impact on fly mortality.• Designed behavioral studies to identify fruit fly preferences among various trap options.• Focused on biological control agents and their application in invasive species management.• Participated in the release of, Rhinoncomimus latipes, a type of weevil that feeds on… Show more • Conducted toxicology and behavioral experiments on the spotted wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii).• Prepared agar media and cultured Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) strains to assess the impact on fly mortality.• Designed behavioral studies to identify fruit fly preferences among various trap options.• Focused on biological control agents and their application in invasive species management.• Participated in the release of, Rhinoncomimus latipes, a type of weevil that feeds on the invasive plant known as the mile-a-minute weed.• Engaged in community outreach, educating the public on research about Mile-A-Minute and Hemlock Wooly Adelgid during Windsor Earth Day in April 2015.• Collaborated with Dr. De-Wei Li and Dr. Todd Mervosh on biocontrol and herbicide efficacy studies.• Studied feeding efficacy and mortality of Rhinoncomimus latipes on herbicide-treated foliage.• Contributed to public scientific education at Plant Science Day, showcasing station research to visitors. Show less