Michael Witte Email & Phone Number

San Diego, Ca, Us

Madison, Wisconsin, Us

San Diego, California, Us

San Diego, California, Us

-Assisted with the experimental design, optimization, development, automation, and launch of multiple synthetic biology products including the next-generation BioXp 9600 System and associated DNA, RNA, cloning, and error-corrected library kits-Independently designed, tested, and validated a RNA-based control for the BioXp 9600 mRNA synthesis kit-Aided in the progression of the BioXp 9600 system and its associated mRNA synthesis kit through the verification and validation testing processes to ensure both products successfully met specifications and launched in a timely manner -Collaborated with R&D, Manufacturing, Operations, Quality Control, and Engineering to complete projects on time-Utilized Geneious Prime to design, edit, and analyze genomes and primer sequences -Documented experiments and data in detail to create protocols, generate reports, and prepare data-driven presentations-Employed a variety of molecular biology-based experiments and quality control assays such as NanoDrop, Qubit, and TapeStation, and trained members of the Process Development team to use these instruments independently

East Lansing, Mi, Us

-Conducted research in MSU’s MMG Department under the mentorship of Dr. Jonathan Hardy, Associate Professor and Principal Investigator (PI) at MSU -Investigated the mechanisms by which trans-Cinnamaldehyde (TC) inhibits developed S. aureus biofilms in vitro and in vivo mouse infection models-Quantified biofilm growth and inhibition via In Vivo Imaging System bioluminescence imaging -Determined the minimum biofilm eradication concentration of TC against established S. aureus biofilms utilizing cell viability assays -Isolated gentamicin-resistant small colony variants (SCVs) of S. aureus and tested TC’s potency against them-Utilized RT-PCR and qPCR to quantify expression levels of genes associated with the formation and development of S. aureus biofilms and planktonic cells in the presence and absence of TC-Extracted and isolated RNA from S. aureus biofilms treated with sublethal concentrations of TC for RNA sequencing analysis-Collaborated with Dr. Hardy (PI), 3 lab mates, and 3 guidance committee members to discuss research design and analysis-Presented findings in a written thesis paper and effectively defended findings in a final thesis presentation and oral exam-Prepared a first-author manuscript for the results and findings of this research project (in progress)

East Lansing, Mi, Us

-Laboratory Technician in Michigan State University’s COVID-19 Surveillance Laboratory -Performed sample processing, RNA isolation, and RT-qPCR analysis of 10,000 saliva samples per week-Provided Michigan State with surveillance data of tested asymptomatic individuals to aid them in their COVID-19 decision making processes-Collaborated with lab members to advise nearly 10,000 individuals per week (via their saliva test results) whether or not to seek clinical diagnostic viral testing

East Lansing, Mi, Us

-Conducted research in MSU’s Microbiology and Molecular Genetics Department under the mentorship of Dr. Jonathan Hardy, Associate Professor and Principal Investigator (PI) at MSU with over 20 published research papers -Tested a variety of phytochemicals (eucalyptus oil, cinnamon oil, etc.) as well as the principal chemical components of those extracts (eucalyptol, cinnamaldehyde, etc.) on S. aureus biofilms in vitro-Performed serial dilution assays of the phytochemicals and tested the efficacy of the dilutions on formed S. aureus biofilms in 24-well cell culture plates-Calculated the minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC) of each chemical, as well as its percent inhibition of the biofilm at varying concentrations -Utilized IVIS bioluminescence imaging (BLI) to quantify biofilm growth and inhibition-Determined that trans-Cinnamaldehyde had the lowest MBIC (2.5mM), demonstrates anti-biofilm properties, and may be a potential natural alternative to specific antibiotics-Presented findings at Michigan State's University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum (UURAF) 2020

West Chicago, Il, Us

West Chicago, Illinois, Us

Master Of Science - Ms, Microbiology And Molecular Genetics

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Genomics And Molecular Genetics

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Human Biology

Education record