Richard Decker Email & Phone Number

Boston, Ma, Us

Waltham, Massachusetts, United States

• Established and managed the Molecular Biology Core at ElevateBio, designing and producing over 150 plasmids in 2024, saving $150k in outsourcing costs.• Supported multiple projects including B cell work, TCR and CAR T work, circRNA experiments, and gene editing experiments.• Developed workflow for scaled-up plasmid stocks, supporting Process Development team and external clients for IND filings.• Collaborated with CMC to provide cloning documentation in Veeva for external clients to support IND filings.• Co-led and participated in bi-monthly manager trainings covering topics such as Effective Delegation, Managing Through Failure, and Effective Coaching.• Collaborated with NGS and Computational Biology teams to establish workflow for sequencing sgRNA to check for truncation during synthesis.

Waltham, Massachusetts, United States

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

I managed the Molecular and Vector Biology and Virus Production teams at TCR2. These teams provided all of the plasmids and lentivirus needed for the other research teams. I was responsible for managing and training up to 6 direct reports, ranging from co-ops to associate scientists. I provided molecular biology expertise for all of the research teams and designed all new constructs, including lentiviral plasmids, AAV plasmids, and mammalian expression plasmids. The team produced 20-30 plasmids per month and 10-20 viral vectors per week.I enjoyed collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure constructs were designed appropriately for the needs of the project. In spite of team fluctuations during my time managing the teams, I worked to maintain motivation and ensure deliverables were still produced on time. I also established a ddPCR core service for the company to provide copy number variation data and managed the BD Rhapsody and Nanotstring cores.

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

West Lafayette, Indiana

Research was focused on utilizing the anti-tumorigenic and anti-inflammatory properties of the cytokine interleukin-27 (IL-27) for gene therapy in treating metastatic prostate cancer and arthritis. My main role was to utilizing my molecular biology skills to design and produce new plasmids for improved in vivo production of IL-27. I tested the plasmids to determine whether they led to increased levels of IL-27 both in vitro (by looking for gene expression levels via qPCR) and in vivo (by looking for tumor growth variations in mice). I also invested multiple methods of transfection - electroporation, sonoporation, and lipofectamine - to determine which method was best for delivering plasmids ranging from ~3 kb to ~10 kb into a variety of cell lines, including both primary and secondary lines.Along with my scientific activities, I participated in and led lab maintenance tasks and was responsible for updating the lab's website. I utilized my writing and editing skills to help prepare 3 manuscripts for publication and to be a reviewer on a peer-reviewed journal article. I had the opportunity to work with representatives from multiple biotech companies to evaluate new equipment and to mentor 2 undergraduates and 1 summer vet med student. During my time in the lab, I presented at multiple weekly lab meetings and local conferences and earned a Foundations of College Teaching certificate.

Logan, Ut

I created stable goat and hamster cell lines with a spider silk protein gene incorporated into the genomes using CRISPR/Cas9 and the PiggyBac Transposon systems. Although the hamster cell line was used as a proof of concept, goats cloned from the goat cell line could allow for a higher-scale production of spider silk proteins than the current "spider goat" systems in use. The synthetic spider silk proteins can then be used for research and, eventually, commercial applications.After developing a method for destroying endotoxins in synthetic spider silk proteins, I designed and performed multiple biocompatibility studies on materials made with the silk, including thin films, hydrogels, and sutures. Initial biocompatibility studies involved seeding the silk with mammalian cells and investigating the cells' ability to attach to and proliferate on the silk. Following these studies, I had the opportunity to implant spider silk films, hydrogels, and sutures into rats to test for in vivo biocompatibility.

As part of our senior design project for the College of Engineering, my team and I worked to develop a composite material made of synthetic spider silk and PDMS that could be used for ballistic absorption. We applied for and received institutional funding through an Undergraduate Research & Creative Opportunities (URCO) grant to help fund the project. Our grant application budget was described as "one of the best" budgets submitted that year. We were required to provide regular progress updates and to report our work with a final summarized write up and poster presentation.In the process of the project, we developed a new technique to create synthetic spider silk films that is still in use. As the team leader, I helped with experiments, organized team meetings, met with faculty advisors on a regular basis to provide progress updates and plan next steps, and helped to assign tasks to other team members. I also worked to maintain group cohesion and resolve difficulties that arose between team members.

Grading for both Biological Engineering Unit Operations class and Thermodynamics as well as teaching a lab section for Biological Engineering Unit Operations that including the production and extraction of Penicillin from the fungus Penicillium chrysogenum using a bio-fermenter and basic extraction methods.

Worked as an undergraduate research assistant to assist graduate students with the production and investigation of type III-Polyketide synthases. Helped with various molecular biology aspects of the work, including plasmid construction, protein expression and purification, and subsequent product evaluation. Also helped with media preparation and maintaining lab cleanliness. Reported results via weekly reports at laboratory group meetings and presented at undergraduate research conferences. Part of my funding was received from an Engineering Undergraduate Research Program grant that I applied for and received.

Helped out with various laboratory tasks: cleaning dishes and equipment, preparing media, etc. Preparatory to obtaining a position as an undergraduate researcher in the Metabolic Engineering lab.

A continuation of the work done at Red Beam Networks previous to its merging with BlueRim Networks. Responsibilities included 2nd Tier support helping customers that could not be helped through the call center or newer technicians to establish and/or restore network access by fixing network related issues and general problems relating to various devices - PCs, Macs, tablets, gaming systems, etc. I was also responsible for addressing and resolving general billing issues.

Continuation of work done at HotSite Networks previous to Red Beam buying out HotSite. Working with customers to establish and/or restore network access by fixing network related issues (incorrect ip addresses, down equipment: modems, access points, servers, etc.) as well as general problems relating to various devices - PCs, Macs, tablets, gaming systems, etc.

Working with customers to establish and/or restore network access by fixing network related issues (incorrect ip addresses, down equipment: modems, access points, servers, etc.) as well as general problems relating to various devices - PCs, Macs, tablets, gaming systems, etc.

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd, Biological/Biosystems Engineering

Worked in the Synthetic Spider Silk lab as a Graduate Research Assistant to produce mammalian cell lines with genetic modifications.

Bs, Biological Engineering

Activities and Societies: USU eSports Club

High School Diploma

Activities and Societies: Band, Marching Band, Math Team, Bowling Team