Responsible for the professional, scientific, consultative, organizational, administrative, and educational obligations for the Forensic Toxicology laboratory. Provides technical, regulatory and operational oversight to the Forensic Toxicology department.

Responsible for the overall operation and administration of laboratory services for a high-complexity clinical reference lab. Perform all director duties as outlined by CLIA. Ensure all testing practices are performing as intended and all personnel are qualified to perform testing. Designed and maintain a quality assurance program to effectively monitor test performance and introduce corrective actions as needed. Oversee regulatory and accreditation compliance requirements.

Performed technical management and oversight of Toxicology and Chemistry testing. The lab provides analytical testing services for a wide range of therapeutic and illicit compounds in urine and oral fluid using LC-MS/MS instrumentation. In addition, a variety of routine chemistry tests are performed utilizing multiple automated assay platforms.

Oversee daily operations of a clinical reference laboratory. Work with direct and indirect reports to accomplish high-quality clinical lab services to clients throughout the country. Testing specialties include Toxicology, Chemistry, Endocrinology, Hematology, Genetics, and Microbiology.

Teaching chemistry through laboratory instruction to undergraduate students.Sections taught:Chemistry 101L - General Chemistry LabChemistry 102 - Biological Chemistry LectureChemistry 102L - Biological Chemistry LabChemsitry 109L - Principle of Chemistry LabChemistry 201L - Analytical Chemistry LabChemistry 203L - Organic Chemistry I LabChemistry 204L - Organic Chemistry II LabChemistry 308L - Biochemistry I Lab

Continuing my work on mechanisms of endothelial dysfunction as they related to Type 2 Diabetes. I have expanded my responsibilities and am actively involved as a scientific contributor within 3 distinct projects concerning the impact of microRNAs, mitochondrial function, and the role of probiotics all on endothelial function. I have taken the lead in expanding our laboratories technical capabilities through the purchase of new instruments and development of new techniques. I also served as the primary mentor to a graduate student performing a research project within our lab.

I worked in the Cardiovascular Research Center and performed research on endothelial dysfunction as it relates to Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. I also pursued a PhD in Pharmacology/Toxicology as a full-time student and successfully defended my dissertation in May 2016.Dissertation Title: Modulation of Mitochondrial Fission via Exposure to Low Glucose in the Human Endothelium: An Insight into Endothelial DysfunctionNumerous studies have concluded that the incidence of induced hypoglycemia has increased among people with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and also correlates with increased cardiovascular complications. My project focuses on the characterization of endothelial dysfunction through the regulation of mitochondrial dynamics and morphology in response to a low glucose environment. We propose a mechanism by which the primary mitochondrial fission protein (Drp1) is modified during low glucose exposure to induce activity through a post-translational modification and promotes the fission process of mitochondria. We also propose that subsequent to the change in morphology, the mitochondria of endothelial cells undergo a change in their energy production profile from a namely glycolytic system to that of increased oxidative phosphorylation. Ultimately, we hope to show that these change in endothelial cells are responsible for the low glucose induced endothelial dysfunction we have characterized in human resistance arterioles.

A continuation of my work in the Forensic Toxicology Lab at Aurora Healthcare. During this time I was heavily involved in the annual method verification to comply with the National Laboratory Certification Program (NLCP) in addition to routine analysis. I was also working on method development to implement a barbiturate confirmatory test via GC/MS in an effort to expand the services offered to our clients.

Performed routine workplace drug testing in accordance with SAMHSA guidelines and protocols. Additionally, performed yearly method validations and method/instrument troubleshooting. Knowledgeable of Agilent GC/MS systems and software, have some experience with Agilent's line of LC-MS/MS instruments, software and data report programming in Microsoft Excel using XML.

Prepared adhesive samples for analysisPerformed chemical and physical analysis of adhesive samplesCompleted preliminary data collection and data entry

Prepared materials and solutions for weekly chemistry labsAssisted students during lab session and graded lab reportsInteracted with lab instructor to outline experiment goals and emphasize proper techniques and report writingHeld tutoring sessions outside of class for students to receive further help with chemistry topics