Mark McElwain
Principal Scientist, Product Development at TwinStrand Biosciences- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Michael Dauer, MBA
I worked with Mark on several projects, and he always stuck out as one of the most principled, focused and committed scientists I had the pleasure to work with. He was always looking for ways to help progress the project towards the target, offering to help others achieve their goals when they were falling behind. In one case, he committed to manually perform an operation when the automation strategy fell behind and appeared to derail the entire project. Because of his efforts, the project stayed on track, and on time.
Asa Bergdahl
Mark’s infectious curiosity and steadfast objectivity make him an inspiring scientist to collaborate with and learn from. Someone who is excellent at listening and thoughtful in their relationships with colleagues, Mark is truly a natural scientific leader. The positive experience I had working with Mark cannot be overstated, his well-rounded skillset is rare and extremely valuable to any life sciences organization.
Michael Dauer, MBA
I worked with Mark on several projects, and he always stuck out as one of the most principled, focused and committed scientists I had the pleasure to work with. He was always looking for ways to help progress the project towards the target, offering to help others achieve their goals when they were falling behind. In one case, he committed to manually perform an operation when the automation strategy fell behind and appeared to derail the entire project. Because of his efforts, the project stayed on track, and on time.
Asa Bergdahl
Mark’s infectious curiosity and steadfast objectivity make him an inspiring scientist to collaborate with and learn from. Someone who is excellent at listening and thoughtful in their relationships with colleagues, Mark is truly a natural scientific leader. The positive experience I had working with Mark cannot be overstated, his well-rounded skillset is rare and extremely valuable to any life sciences organization.
Michael Dauer, MBA
I worked with Mark on several projects, and he always stuck out as one of the most principled, focused and committed scientists I had the pleasure to work with. He was always looking for ways to help progress the project towards the target, offering to help others achieve their goals when they were falling behind. In one case, he committed to manually perform an operation when the automation strategy fell behind and appeared to derail the entire project. Because of his efforts, the project stayed on track, and on time.
Asa Bergdahl
Mark’s infectious curiosity and steadfast objectivity make him an inspiring scientist to collaborate with and learn from. Someone who is excellent at listening and thoughtful in their relationships with colleagues, Mark is truly a natural scientific leader. The positive experience I had working with Mark cannot be overstated, his well-rounded skillset is rare and extremely valuable to any life sciences organization.
Michael Dauer, MBA
I worked with Mark on several projects, and he always stuck out as one of the most principled, focused and committed scientists I had the pleasure to work with. He was always looking for ways to help progress the project towards the target, offering to help others achieve their goals when they were falling behind. In one case, he committed to manually perform an operation when the automation strategy fell behind and appeared to derail the entire project. Because of his efforts, the project stayed on track, and on time.
Asa Bergdahl
Mark’s infectious curiosity and steadfast objectivity make him an inspiring scientist to collaborate with and learn from. Someone who is excellent at listening and thoughtful in their relationships with colleagues, Mark is truly a natural scientific leader. The positive experience I had working with Mark cannot be overstated, his well-rounded skillset is rare and extremely valuable to any life sciences organization.
Experience
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TwinStrand Biosciences
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United States
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Biotechnology Research
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1 - 100 Employee
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Principal Scientist, Product Development
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Aug 2023 - Present
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Senior Product Development Scientist
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May 2022 - Aug 2023
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Adaptive Biotechnologies Corp.
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United States
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Biotechnology
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500 - 600 Employee
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Principal Scientist
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Apr 2020 - Mar 2022
Focused on developing nucleic acid extraction and analysis methods in an FDA- and CLIA/CAP-regulated environment, for clinical NGS workflows, while providing direct and indirect leadership to team of Scientists and Research Associates. Led a research associate in an optimization of existing bone marrow and cell pellet extraction method to resolve ongoing problems in the clinical sample preparation laboratory. As individual contributor, characterized DNA extracted via… Show more Focused on developing nucleic acid extraction and analysis methods in an FDA- and CLIA/CAP-regulated environment, for clinical NGS workflows, while providing direct and indirect leadership to team of Scientists and Research Associates. Led a research associate in an optimization of existing bone marrow and cell pellet extraction method to resolve ongoing problems in the clinical sample preparation laboratory. As individual contributor, characterized DNA extracted via existing blood, bone marrow, and cell pellet extraction methods to guide improvement strategies. Also as individual contributor, developed qPCR-based DNA quantification method, taking over project after Concept phase, improving robustness of qPCR assays, leading to successful Feasibility phase exit. Show less Focused on developing nucleic acid extraction and analysis methods in an FDA- and CLIA/CAP-regulated environment, for clinical NGS workflows, while providing direct and indirect leadership to team of Scientists and Research Associates. Led a research associate in an optimization of existing bone marrow and cell pellet extraction method to resolve ongoing problems in the clinical sample preparation laboratory. As individual contributor, characterized DNA extracted via… Show more Focused on developing nucleic acid extraction and analysis methods in an FDA- and CLIA/CAP-regulated environment, for clinical NGS workflows, while providing direct and indirect leadership to team of Scientists and Research Associates. Led a research associate in an optimization of existing bone marrow and cell pellet extraction method to resolve ongoing problems in the clinical sample preparation laboratory. As individual contributor, characterized DNA extracted via existing blood, bone marrow, and cell pellet extraction methods to guide improvement strategies. Also as individual contributor, developed qPCR-based DNA quantification method, taking over project after Concept phase, improving robustness of qPCR assays, leading to successful Feasibility phase exit. Show less
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NanoString Technologies, Inc.
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United States
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Biotechnology Research
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500 - 600 Employee
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Scientist II
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Aug 2016 - Mar 2020
As Tech Lead for Sample Prep/Target Enrichment group, led a team of research associates and scientists to develop and optimize workflows for Hyb & Seq, a hybridization-based Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology. Additionally, improved workflows for Gene Expression mode of Hyb & Seq and developed proof-of-concept for Long Read mode as individual contributor. As Tech Lead for Sample Prep/Target Enrichment group, led a team of research associates and scientists to develop and optimize workflows for Hyb & Seq, a hybridization-based Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology. Additionally, improved workflows for Gene Expression mode of Hyb & Seq and developed proof-of-concept for Long Read mode as individual contributor.
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Complete Genomics
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United States
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Biotechnology Research
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100 - 200 Employee
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Senior Scientist
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Jan 2014 - Mar 2016
Transitioned to small group leader: managed two direct reports and provided day-to-day guidance to indirect reports while continuing to perform independent laboratory experimentation. Heavily utilized qPCR and other molecular biology techniques to develop the next generation of Long Fragment Read (LFR) technology.
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Scientist
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Sep 2011 - Jan 2014
Improved the quality of Long Fragment Read (LFR) next-generation sequencing (NGS) libraries through changes to plasticware, innovative combinations of DNA polymerases, and formulation changes to enhance precision of robotic liquid handling. Also collaborated with academic investigators to to characterize a mutation in a research subject with Prader-Willi Syndrome, and with outside hardware company to develop novel LFR instrumentation.
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Stanford University
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United States
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Higher Education
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700 & Above Employee
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PhD student
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Sep 2004 - Aug 2011
Doctoral dissertation in Roel Nusse laboratory. Used molecular, biochemical, and genetic techniques to elucidate the role of a Wnt signal transduction pathway in primordial germ cell migration. Also provided training and mentorship to undergraduate- and graduate-level researchers. Doctoral dissertation in Roel Nusse laboratory. Used molecular, biochemical, and genetic techniques to elucidate the role of a Wnt signal transduction pathway in primordial germ cell migration. Also provided training and mentorship to undergraduate- and graduate-level researchers.
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Tech Museum of Innovation
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San Jose, CA
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Genetics Exhibitor/Writer
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Jan 2009 - Jun 2009
Conducted hands-on experiments based upon the principles of genetics with Museum visitors; also wrote articles answering genetics questions submitted to the Ask A Geneticist website. Articles: Are you born with the Philadelphia chromosome? If not, how do you get it? http://genetics.thetech.org/ask/ask298 Is dyslexia inherited? http://genetics.thetech.org/ask/ask305 Why is it that we have almost the same DNA as other… Show more Conducted hands-on experiments based upon the principles of genetics with Museum visitors; also wrote articles answering genetics questions submitted to the Ask A Geneticist website. Articles: Are you born with the Philadelphia chromosome? If not, how do you get it? http://genetics.thetech.org/ask/ask298 Is dyslexia inherited? http://genetics.thetech.org/ask/ask305 Why is it that we have almost the same DNA as other things? http://genetics.thetech.org/ask/ask309 Is psoriasis genetically transferred? Are there any modern gene therapy treatments? http://genetics.thetech.org/ask/ask315 Show less Conducted hands-on experiments based upon the principles of genetics with Museum visitors; also wrote articles answering genetics questions submitted to the Ask A Geneticist website. Articles: Are you born with the Philadelphia chromosome? If not, how do you get it? http://genetics.thetech.org/ask/ask298 Is dyslexia inherited? http://genetics.thetech.org/ask/ask305 Why is it that we have almost the same DNA as other… Show more Conducted hands-on experiments based upon the principles of genetics with Museum visitors; also wrote articles answering genetics questions submitted to the Ask A Geneticist website. Articles: Are you born with the Philadelphia chromosome? If not, how do you get it? http://genetics.thetech.org/ask/ask298 Is dyslexia inherited? http://genetics.thetech.org/ask/ask305 Why is it that we have almost the same DNA as other things? http://genetics.thetech.org/ask/ask309 Is psoriasis genetically transferred? Are there any modern gene therapy treatments? http://genetics.thetech.org/ask/ask315 Show less
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Postbaccalaureate Research Fellow
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Aug 2003 - Jul 2004
Used molecular biology and two-photon microscopy approaches to elucidate the mechanisms of embryonic vascular patterning in the zebrafish. Used molecular biology and two-photon microscopy approaches to elucidate the mechanisms of embryonic vascular patterning in the zebrafish.
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University of Washington
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United States
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Higher Education
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700 & Above Employee
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Undergraduate Researcher
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Jun 2001 - Jun 2003
Used molecular biology and homologous recombination techniques to generate transgenic strains of yeast expression fluorescent fusion proteins; these strains were analyzed by fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and deconvolution microscopy to understand interactions between proteins within the yeast spindle pole body. Used molecular biology and homologous recombination techniques to generate transgenic strains of yeast expression fluorescent fusion proteins; these strains were analyzed by fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and deconvolution microscopy to understand interactions between proteins within the yeast spindle pole body.
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Education
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Stanford University School of Medicine
PhD, Developmental Biology -
University of Washington
BS with Honors, Biochemistry; Cell and Molecular Biology
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