Misa Winters Email & Phone Number

Seattle, Washington, United States

Responsible for guiding our molecular research initiatives, leading innovative product development, supporting product managers and business developers, fostering collaborations with partners and thirdparties, and overseeing laboratory operations. Creating cutting-edge molecular assays and sample processing workflows accessible to non-technical users, driving novel product development, and ensuring efficient laboratory operations. Leading the molecular team in collaboration with engineers… Show more Responsible for guiding our molecular research initiatives, leading innovative product development, supporting product managers and business developers, fostering collaborations with partners and thirdparties, and overseeing laboratory operations. Creating cutting-edge molecular assays and sample processing workflows accessible to non-technical users, driving novel product development, and ensuring efficient laboratory operations. Leading the molecular team in collaboration with engineers to drive projects from concept to commercialization. Show less

Seattle, Washington, United States

Overseeing and managing the Seattle-based genetics lab while providing support for CXL products and projects. Current focus is on developing molecular assays that can be used outside of the laboratory for rapid species identification with DNA barcoding.

Greater Seattle Area

Project and task manager for all current lab projects at the Center for Conservation Biology including elephant ivory, wolf re-population in east and central Washington, endocrine analysis of Southern Resident Killer Whales and miscellaneous species identification projects. In charge of managing priorities and directing staff, as well as helping with the design, implementation and reporting of projets.

Seattle, Wa

Perform experiments to improve the processing and extraction of DNA from poached ivory for use in the forensic application of tracking poaching hotspots in Asia and Africa. Additionally, I process ivory and dung samples for extraction in a high-throughput setting (384-well plates) all the way through capillary electophoresis using multiplexed microsatellites. Elephant genotypes can then be mapped against reference samples to pin point the origin of the poached animal.

Created DNA standards using amplified CODIS markers for use in methodological experiments to test the efficiency of DNA capture using streptavidin-coated beads (National Institute of Justice grant 2011-DN-BX-K549). Responsible for analyzing results by performing quantitative PCR and using the PowerPlex 16 system to determine quality of STR read-outs. Designed, performed, and recorded all protocols under the advisement of peers. Maintained an ancient DNA clean room which included weekly… Show more Created DNA standards using amplified CODIS markers for use in methodological experiments to test the efficiency of DNA capture using streptavidin-coated beads (National Institute of Justice grant 2011-DN-BX-K549). Responsible for analyzing results by performing quantitative PCR and using the PowerPlex 16 system to determine quality of STR read-outs. Designed, performed, and recorded all protocols under the advisement of peers. Maintained an ancient DNA clean room which included weekly sterilization, equipment and inventory management, and biohazard disposal. Show less

Served as a teaching assistant for classes including introductory biology, science (physical and life sciences) for non-majors, and introduction to genetics. I directed 30-70 students each semester in both lecture and laboratory settings. Laboratory settings involved 2-3 hours of direction, with experience in geology, zoology, microbiology techniques and assays, computer modeling of ecosystems, and dissection of small animals (arthropods, fish, squid, and quail). Lecture settings involved 20-50… Show more Served as a teaching assistant for classes including introductory biology, science (physical and life sciences) for non-majors, and introduction to genetics. I directed 30-70 students each semester in both lecture and laboratory settings. Laboratory settings involved 2-3 hours of direction, with experience in geology, zoology, microbiology techniques and assays, computer modeling of ecosystems, and dissection of small animals (arthropods, fish, squid, and quail). Lecture settings involved 20-50 minute presentations on related materials as well as weekly quizzes or worksheets to check for understanding. Show less

Conducted various experiments and contributed to multiple research projects as a learning scientist. Most of these projects involved improving and testing methods and assays for DNA extraction and validation as it pertained to degraded or low-copy number samples (ancient DNA). Extracted, amplified, and analyzed mitochondrial DNA sequence data from 4500 year old Native American bones and coprolites. Conducted comparative experiments of multiple extraction methods including phenol/chloroform… Show more Conducted various experiments and contributed to multiple research projects as a learning scientist. Most of these projects involved improving and testing methods and assays for DNA extraction and validation as it pertained to degraded or low-copy number samples (ancient DNA). Extracted, amplified, and analyzed mitochondrial DNA sequence data from 4500 year old Native American bones and coprolites. Conducted comparative experiments of multiple extraction methods including phenol/chloroform and various silica purifications.Generated data for a National Institute of Justice grant (award number 2008-DN-BX-K008) by extracting, amplifying and analyzing mitochondrial DNA sequences from 300 year old Colonial Maya, and 500-2000 year old Native American bones. Successfully cloned twenty, 103-133 base pair fragments, from these samples for a publication currently in preparation. Additionally, helped with everyday lab management including equipment upkeep and inventory, safety training, biohazard disposal, and the training of students in DNA extraction, amplification, sequencing prep and analysis. Show less

Master Of Science (Ms), Biology, Zoology

I entered graduate school under the advisement of Dr. Brian Kemp, an associate professor with both the Department of Anthropology.

Bachelor Of Science (Bs), Biotechnology

Activities and Societies: Undergraduates in Biology and Mathematics (UBM - a NSF sponsored fellowship program); Dressage at WSU (secretary.