Lee Sierad Email & Phone Number

San Diego, California, United States

Clemson, South Carolina, Us

Aptus Bioreactors provides novel bioreactor systems and accessories capable of creating and testing living, patient-specific, tissue engineered heart valves, blood vessels, and other tissues.• Designed and manufactured innovative tissue bioreactor equipment from prototyping to final product by providing a team of 2-5 mechanical, electrical, and test engineers with strategic direction and project management while focusing on user-centric designs and elegant functionality of the products. • Developed and improved multiple new electromechanical systems for regenerative medicine by utilizing external contract manufacturing, in-house equipment, and innovative product sourcing while ensuring alignment between market-driven product improvements and internal long-term strategic direction.• Sourced clients, developed marketing material, closed sales deals, provided installation and training, and performed follow-up troubleshooting and scientific consultation by exercising entrepreneurial grit alongside determined integrity to deliver 59 systems to 19 groups in 8 countries.• Created user manuals, protocols, and at least 4 LabView-based programs with touchscreen interfaces by guiding the technical writing and interface design to enable a meaningful, relevant experience for users.• Wrote grant applications and executed research focused on the development of tissue sources for heart valve applications through strong team management and effective communication between multi-site, cross-functional teams resulting in publications, student dissertations, and follow-on funding.• Maintained all aspects of business operations by partnering with strategic service providers or developing internal platforms and procedures to maintain regulatory compliance and smooth operations.Note: Dates edited to correctly order on LinkedIn.

San Jose, California, Us

• Hired and led a multifunctional team of 7 engineers and scientists along their personal growth and career development paths using people-first strategies and servant-leadership principles, resulting in promotions, lateral track moves, and the development of first-time line managers and project managers.• Created a four-stage strategic vision and led the R&D department by setting a clear plan and direction with cross-team collaboration to provide departmental stability and achieve key company milestones (e.g. MVP).• Promoted from Associate Director to Senior Director after one year in response to an expansion of strategic responsibilities, supportive cross-functional performance, and demonstration of team leadership.

San Jose, California, Us

• Developed novel bioreactor equipment for tissue growth by managing matrixed and functional projects around equipment design, simulation, and testing to ensure technical excellence and product improvement.• Planned, researched, and evaluated various tissue-engineering approaches by supporting and empowering scientists, leading to the communication of actionable results that resulted in improved tissue growth quality and reduced the cost of goods.• Commissioned a fully functional internal histology lab by selecting and overseeing the installation of key equipment and training associates, enabling rapid iteration of experimental test conditions.

Clemson, Sc, Us

The Advanced Bioreactor Design and Development Laboratory supports existing core facilities and research labs by bridging a gap between the capabilities of individuals labs and the university's high-end precision machine-shop capabilities. During my time there, I primarily:• Coordinated projects to develop and improve bioreactor systems for university labs and external companies by harmonizing user needs with functional and ergonomic principles to enhance usability.• Repaired and ordered equipment and supplies under a limited budget to set up and maintain the lab.

Clemson, Sc, Us

• Guided, critiqued, and supported 3 PhD and 6 MS students as a committee member by offering constructive feedback and scientific analysis, contributing to stronger student research projects.Note: Dates edited to correctly order on LinkedIn.

• Navigated the church along significant pastoral leadership changes and constitutional revisions through public dialog, change management techniques, and a commitment to values alignment, resulting in a new leadership structure and operating mode that aligned more closely with the organization’s core beliefs.• Established an organizational vision and annual implementation plans by partnering with senior leadership and other staff to set goals and recruit volunteer team members, contributing to progress toward the vision and increased unity among the entire organization.• Orchestrated the formalization of organizational structure, areas of responsibility, and functional policies by empowering and motivating the group of 5-7 deacons to enhance performance in each of their respective areas, leading to the increased effectiveness of the organization.• Prepared and led quarterly church-wide business meetings to foster transparency and receive public input.

Clemson, Sc, Us

• Trained graduate students in laboratory procedures and developed unique bioreactor and testing systems.• Generated proposals for extramural funding and manuscripts for publications in scientific journals.

Clemson, Sc, Us

In addition to completing research toward my MS and PhD degrees, I have held various positions within the Biocompatibility and Tissue Regeneration Labs under Dr. Dan Simionescu:• Served as Lab Manager, Safety Officer, Training Coordinator, or Group Meeting Coordinator. • Mentored over 10 undergraduate researchers/teams performing lab techniques and independent projects.

Clemson, Sc, Us

• Guided seven senior design groups through the design process to create products for an industry sponsor.

Ph.D., Bioengineering

Ms, Bioengineering

Bs, Biomedical Engineering