Manuel A. Ortega Email & Phone Number

Cambridge, Massachusetts

-Established multiple collaborations with Harvard research teams on the characterization and analysis of inhibitors of gut microbial enzymes linked to human metabolic disorders -Conceptualized, implemented and improved protein expression and purification strategies of pharmaceutical protein targets for biochemical and structural studies; crystal structures served as models for the ongoing design of small molecule inhibitors-Authored, acquired, and administered two external grants securing independent funding valued in $240k-Directed, supervised and mentored laboratory staff members in developing research and professional expertise-Prepared and delivered oral presentations and written reports on project progress at internal/external meetings-Responsible for training laboratory staff on the proper use and maintenance of FPLC systems (AKTA and Bio-Rad)

Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Area

-Led project team responsible for discovering a novel co-substrate required for the biosynthesis of an antimicrobial peptide used worldwide as a food preservative; co-substrate remained unknown for more than 20 years.-Planned, conducted, and analyzed multiple functional and chromatographic assays to characterize eight enzymes involved in natural product biosynthesis; work served to elucidate three unknown biosynthetic pathways-Helped develop a platform for the automated structural determination of peptide antibiotics increasing structural elucidation efficiency by 90%-Devised and implemented chromatographic methods to assay kinetic parameters of three different enzymes -Established and participated from internal collaborations aimed to determine X-ray crystal structures of three enzymes involved in natural product biosynthesis

Cincinnati Area, Oh

-Coordinated equipment design and optimization for manufacturing process reducing operational time and cost -Decreased company expenditure by developing and implementing an improved lotion manufacturing process -Gathered, analyzed, and presented scientific data to upper management team that guided financial decisions-Collaborated and interacted with multiple teams across R&D to guarantee delivery of project goals in a timely manner

Doctor Of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Biochemistry, 3.95/4.0

Activities and Societies: American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Phi Kappa Phi, Golden Key International Honour Society.

Bachelor’S Degree, Industrial Biotechnology, 3.98/4.0

Activities and Societies: National Biological Honour Society, RUM Orchestra Member (Double Bassist)