Molecular Technologist

• Jun 2023 - Present

Molecular Technologist 2

• Dec 2022 - Jun 2023

• Validate oncology panels and perform clinical next-generation sequencing for NCI-designated Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center • Analyze NGS results and prepare custom reports for physicians so that patients can receive a personalized treatment plan • Highly skilled in variant calling and interpretation; routinely cite literature and utilize UCSC genome browser, ClinVar, OMIM, dbSNP, COSMIC, and other databases to determine pathogenicity following ACMG guidelines • Facilitate… Show more • Validate oncology panels and perform clinical next-generation sequencing for NCI-designated Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center • Analyze NGS results and prepare custom reports for physicians so that patients can receive a personalized treatment plan • Highly skilled in variant calling and interpretation; routinely cite literature and utilize UCSC genome browser, ClinVar, OMIM, dbSNP, COSMIC, and other databases to determine pathogenicity following ACMG guidelines • Facilitate epidemiologic study for the CDC to investigate Candida auris infections within Miami-Dade County • Collaborate on an interdepartmental project to assess glioblastoma methylation with different methodologies, including qPCR, fragment analysis, and microarray • Proficient in SOP creation; adhere to all CLIA, CAP, and HIPAA regulations Show less • Validate oncology panels and perform clinical next-generation sequencing for NCI-designated Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center • Analyze NGS results and prepare custom reports for physicians so that patients can receive a personalized treatment plan • Highly skilled in variant calling and interpretation; routinely cite literature and utilize UCSC genome browser, ClinVar, OMIM, dbSNP, COSMIC, and other databases to determine pathogenicity following ACMG guidelines • Facilitate… Show more • Validate oncology panels and perform clinical next-generation sequencing for NCI-designated Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center • Analyze NGS results and prepare custom reports for physicians so that patients can receive a personalized treatment plan • Highly skilled in variant calling and interpretation; routinely cite literature and utilize UCSC genome browser, ClinVar, OMIM, dbSNP, COSMIC, and other databases to determine pathogenicity following ACMG guidelines • Facilitate epidemiologic study for the CDC to investigate Candida auris infections within Miami-Dade County • Collaborate on an interdepartmental project to assess glioblastoma methylation with different methodologies, including qPCR, fragment analysis, and microarray • Proficient in SOP creation; adhere to all CLIA, CAP, and HIPAA regulations Show less

Lead Molecular Technologist

• Sep 2021 - Oct 2022

• Served an average of 40,000 patients per day during the peak of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic • Delivered results to patients in under 24 hours through teamwork and a streamlined workflow • Extracted RNA and performed RT-qPCR; analyzed data and submitted patient reports • Competent in quality control and instrument maintenance • Followed all SOPs, HIPAA compliance rules, and CLIA regulations • Served an average of 40,000 patients per day during the peak of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic • Delivered results to patients in under 24 hours through teamwork and a streamlined workflow • Extracted RNA and performed RT-qPCR; analyzed data and submitted patient reports • Competent in quality control and instrument maintenance • Followed all SOPs, HIPAA compliance rules, and CLIA regulations

Research Associate 2

• Jun 2018 - Aug 2021

• Discovered novel genes associated with congenital deafness through genetic screening and next-generation sequencing • Explored current literature and utilized genetic databases to determine pathogenicity and inheritance pattern of variants • Experienced in bioinformatics, variant filtering and data mining; maintained genetic databases with over 5,000 samples; created visualizations for scientific publications and skilled in medical writing • Specialized in Sanger sequencing, in… Show more • Discovered novel genes associated with congenital deafness through genetic screening and next-generation sequencing • Explored current literature and utilized genetic databases to determine pathogenicity and inheritance pattern of variants • Experienced in bioinformatics, variant filtering and data mining; maintained genetic databases with over 5,000 samples; created visualizations for scientific publications and skilled in medical writing • Specialized in Sanger sequencing, in silico tools, and PCR amplification • Expert in nucleic acid extraction, purification, and quantification • Mentored interns and Master’s students in experimental design, Sanger sequencing, and variant calling Show less • Discovered novel genes associated with congenital deafness through genetic screening and next-generation sequencing • Explored current literature and utilized genetic databases to determine pathogenicity and inheritance pattern of variants • Experienced in bioinformatics, variant filtering and data mining; maintained genetic databases with over 5,000 samples; created visualizations for scientific publications and skilled in medical writing • Specialized in Sanger sequencing, in… Show more • Discovered novel genes associated with congenital deafness through genetic screening and next-generation sequencing • Explored current literature and utilized genetic databases to determine pathogenicity and inheritance pattern of variants • Experienced in bioinformatics, variant filtering and data mining; maintained genetic databases with over 5,000 samples; created visualizations for scientific publications and skilled in medical writing • Specialized in Sanger sequencing, in silico tools, and PCR amplification • Expert in nucleic acid extraction, purification, and quantification • Mentored interns and Master’s students in experimental design, Sanger sequencing, and variant calling Show less

Research Associate 1

• Dec 2016 - May 2018

• Characterized novel genes associated with hearing loss and inner ear abnormalities using the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing system in zebrafish (Danio rerio) • Co-injected sgRNA/Cas9 into one-cell embryos from D. rerio to knock out genes in order to elucidate biological mechanisms • Masterful in micropipette fabrication and in vivo microscopy • Skilled in laboratory management, including SOP development, inventory control, and regulatory compliance • Mentored undergraduates in basic… Show more • Characterized novel genes associated with hearing loss and inner ear abnormalities using the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing system in zebrafish (Danio rerio) • Co-injected sgRNA/Cas9 into one-cell embryos from D. rerio to knock out genes in order to elucidate biological mechanisms • Masterful in micropipette fabrication and in vivo microscopy • Skilled in laboratory management, including SOP development, inventory control, and regulatory compliance • Mentored undergraduates in basic laboratory techniques and safety Show less • Characterized novel genes associated with hearing loss and inner ear abnormalities using the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing system in zebrafish (Danio rerio) • Co-injected sgRNA/Cas9 into one-cell embryos from D. rerio to knock out genes in order to elucidate biological mechanisms • Masterful in micropipette fabrication and in vivo microscopy • Skilled in laboratory management, including SOP development, inventory control, and regulatory compliance • Mentored undergraduates in basic… Show more • Characterized novel genes associated with hearing loss and inner ear abnormalities using the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing system in zebrafish (Danio rerio) • Co-injected sgRNA/Cas9 into one-cell embryos from D. rerio to knock out genes in order to elucidate biological mechanisms • Masterful in micropipette fabrication and in vivo microscopy • Skilled in laboratory management, including SOP development, inventory control, and regulatory compliance • Mentored undergraduates in basic laboratory techniques and safety Show less

Student Researcher

• Nov 2015 - May 2016

• Identified genes associated with recessive cerebellar ataxia using CRISPR in zebrafish (Danio rerio) • Designed and synthesized single guide RNAs from oligos • Experienced in microinjecting embryos from D. rerio, DNA extraction, and PCR amplification • Aimed for more effective and rapid screening for ataxia patients • Identified genes associated with recessive cerebellar ataxia using CRISPR in zebrafish (Danio rerio) • Designed and synthesized single guide RNAs from oligos • Experienced in microinjecting embryos from D. rerio, DNA extraction, and PCR amplification • Aimed for more effective and rapid screening for ataxia patients

Assistant Caretaker

• Jan 2015 - Apr 2016

• Provided daily care for nearly 3,000 fish by following special diets and feeding schedules • Ensured optimal water quality through weekly testing and routine cleaning • Maintained strong transgenic lines for fish used in CRISPR experiments by multiple laboratories across two campuses • Provided daily care for nearly 3,000 fish by following special diets and feeding schedules • Ensured optimal water quality through weekly testing and routine cleaning • Maintained strong transgenic lines for fish used in CRISPR experiments by multiple laboratories across two campuses

Student Researcher

• May 2012 - Aug 2013

• Explored novel gene therapies to treat spinal cord injuries (SCI) using engineered cellular transplants in conjunction with optogenetics • Assisted in cellular transplantation, rodent SCI surgeries, and post-operational care • Gained experience in harvesting embryonic stem cells from mice, creating viral vectors, and maintaining cell cultures • Proficient in tissue processing, immunohistology, and confocal microscopy • Assessed effectiveness of treatments by quantifying expression… Show more • Explored novel gene therapies to treat spinal cord injuries (SCI) using engineered cellular transplants in conjunction with optogenetics • Assisted in cellular transplantation, rodent SCI surgeries, and post-operational care • Gained experience in harvesting embryonic stem cells from mice, creating viral vectors, and maintaining cell cultures • Proficient in tissue processing, immunohistology, and confocal microscopy • Assessed effectiveness of treatments by quantifying expression within cells and running statistical tests Show less • Explored novel gene therapies to treat spinal cord injuries (SCI) using engineered cellular transplants in conjunction with optogenetics • Assisted in cellular transplantation, rodent SCI surgeries, and post-operational care • Gained experience in harvesting embryonic stem cells from mice, creating viral vectors, and maintaining cell cultures • Proficient in tissue processing, immunohistology, and confocal microscopy • Assessed effectiveness of treatments by quantifying expression… Show more • Explored novel gene therapies to treat spinal cord injuries (SCI) using engineered cellular transplants in conjunction with optogenetics • Assisted in cellular transplantation, rodent SCI surgeries, and post-operational care • Gained experience in harvesting embryonic stem cells from mice, creating viral vectors, and maintaining cell cultures • Proficient in tissue processing, immunohistology, and confocal microscopy • Assessed effectiveness of treatments by quantifying expression within cells and running statistical tests Show less