Most of my 9 years at Novartis were spent in the 'Precision Molecular Biology' group, where we designed, built, sequenced and archived thousands of custom DNA plasmids and libraries for Novartis labs' internal use. On a daily basis I applied my expert knowledge in multiple cloning techniques, including restriction cloning, Gateway cloning, Gibson cloning, pooled cloning, pooled oligo cloning, SDM, gene fragment inserts, variomics, CRISPR, and more.I left Novartis due to an… Show more Most of my 9 years at Novartis were spent in the 'Precision Molecular Biology' group, where we designed, built, sequenced and archived thousands of custom DNA plasmids and libraries for Novartis labs' internal use. On a daily basis I applied my expert knowledge in multiple cloning techniques, including restriction cloning, Gateway cloning, Gibson cloning, pooled cloning, pooled oligo cloning, SDM, gene fragment inserts, variomics, CRISPR, and more.I left Novartis due to an internal departmental restructuring and am actively seeking a new position. I prefer to stay in the Somerville/Cambridge area so that I can continue biking to work. Show less

My work at MGH involved facilitating the transfer of a research-based microfluidic device designed to enrich circulating tumor cells from a blood sample to a manufacturable product, specifically at the backend output of the device. This involved coordinating experimentation across many aspects of this project, and with all levels of parties involved (technicians, engineers, post-docs, clinicians, managers). Specifically, the techniques applied were nested PCR, qPCR clamping to enrich for rare… Show more My work at MGH involved facilitating the transfer of a research-based microfluidic device designed to enrich circulating tumor cells from a blood sample to a manufacturable product, specifically at the backend output of the device. This involved coordinating experimentation across many aspects of this project, and with all levels of parties involved (technicians, engineers, post-docs, clinicians, managers). Specifically, the techniques applied were nested PCR, qPCR clamping to enrich for rare alleles, and droplet digital PCR. I also had a large role in setting up and running a double-blind experimental evaluation of one version of the device, using both patient sample blood and healthy donors. Show less

In 2009, I decided to make a career change out of semiconductor manufacturing and into the biomedical field. I truly enjoyed (and was quite good at) process engineering in the fab, but I felt that I wanted more 'meaning' in my work at the end of the day. I went back to school (Harvard) to earn a master's in biology, and I knew that I would need to learn the ropes in my new chosen field before I could land a career job.My first job in biology was at the MGH Cancer Center where I worked… Show more In 2009, I decided to make a career change out of semiconductor manufacturing and into the biomedical field. I truly enjoyed (and was quite good at) process engineering in the fab, but I felt that I wanted more 'meaning' in my work at the end of the day. I went back to school (Harvard) to earn a master's in biology, and I knew that I would need to learn the ropes in my new chosen field before I could land a career job.My first job in biology was at the MGH Cancer Center where I worked as a research technician. I worked for Jim Walker in Andre Bernards' lab using Drosophila melanogaster as model of neurofibromatosis type I (NF1) and Huntington's disease. We made use of orthologous genes in the fruit fly to gain understanding of the various pathways involved in these two conditions. For my work, this involved maintaining fly stocks, setting up crosses and evaluating results. This is also where Jim taught me the basics of molecular cloning, which I would come to love. I generated multiple genetic constructs using standard subcloning techniques as well as with more sophisticated 'recombineering' methods which were successfully integrated into flies for study. I also gained extensive experience with genetic screening, western blotting, RT-PCR and site-directed mutagenesis. Show less

When I returned from the Peace Corps, I was able to leverage my previous work with Ultratech Steppers at Alpha Industries to land a job with ADI in their Cabridge MEMS fab. I worked as a process engineer in the photo group, and eventually took charge of a fleet of Ultratech 1500 broadband steppers, one Nikon Body-12 i-line stepper, and a Soluris IVS 135 CD metrology tool, along with the responsibilities of maintaining the 1um 'BEAMS' process in spec.This was a 24/7 operation and could… Show more When I returned from the Peace Corps, I was able to leverage my previous work with Ultratech Steppers at Alpha Industries to land a job with ADI in their Cabridge MEMS fab. I worked as a process engineer in the photo group, and eventually took charge of a fleet of Ultratech 1500 broadband steppers, one Nikon Body-12 i-line stepper, and a Soluris IVS 135 CD metrology tool, along with the responsibilities of maintaining the 1um 'BEAMS' process in spec.This was a 24/7 operation and could be stressful at times, but I always rose to the occasion to troubleshoot issues that came up, and then put process controls in place for the next time. For example, I invented a completely new way of measuring and correcting focus on the UT steppers that we used successfully for many years. I worked extensively on multidisciplinary process development teams for various technologies, utilizing experimental design / data analysis for continuous process improvement and/or development. I routinely presented individual and team data to internal review boards as well as in conference settings and used standard statistical process control methodology and CPK on a daily basis.When ADI made the decision around the beginning of 2008 to move the fab to the Wilmington campus, I was offered the chance to take a generous package if I chose not to move with the fab to the new location. I seized this opportunity to explore a new passion for biology, go back to school and attempt to make a career change into a new field. Show less

I taught English in the Russian Far East at the grade school level for one year in a small village and then taught at the college level at a pedagogical institute for two years.