Experience

Orphan Disease Center | University of Pennsylvania

• United States
• Research Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director JumpStart Program

  • Sep 2020 - Present

  Perelman School of Medicine



Coriell Institute for Medical Research

• United States
• Research
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Program Director

  • Oct 2015 - Sep 2020

  Camden, NJ Principal Investigator of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) Human Genetic Cell Repository. The NIGMS Repository is an extensive collection of cell lines and DNA representing a variety of disease states, chromosomal abnormalities and healthy individuals across several distinct human populations. I oversee all aspects of the Repository management and make strategic decisions to optimize efficiency and productivity of this biobank. I coordinate contract-oriented… Show more Principal Investigator of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) Human Genetic Cell Repository. The NIGMS Repository is an extensive collection of cell lines and DNA representing a variety of disease states, chromosomal abnormalities and healthy individuals across several distinct human populations. I oversee all aspects of the Repository management and make strategic decisions to optimize efficiency and productivity of this biobank. I coordinate contract-oriented objectives, supervise the Institute’s complex biospecimen value stream, and contribute to strategy development and implementation. I manage the scientific operations of the biobank and interface with governmental project officers, scientific advisory committee members, laboratory managers, and other departments at Coriell, to ensure maximal efficiency. I collaborate with researchers, commercial partners and other institutions and coordinate with investigators and advocacy groups to identify new submissions. Principal Investigator of the National Institute on Aging (NIA) Aging Cell Repository. The NIA Cell Repository facilitates cellular and molecular research studies on the mechanisms of aging and degenerative processes associated with it. The repository provides well-characterized, viable cultured cell lines of types relevant to, and requested by researchers in the field of aging. In this role I managed daily operations, overseeing sample distribution, assuring high quality of the collection, and developing strategies to increase efficiency in the submission and distribution operations. This role required regular communication with NIH officials, preparation of reports and presentations, and financial oversight of monthly, quarterly and annual budgets. Principal Investigator - California's Stem Cell Agency iPSC Repository. The CIRM iPSC Repository managed a large, publicly-accessible repository of induced pluripotent stem cells for disease research and drug discovery. Show less



BioStrategies LC

• Biotechnology Research
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Project Development

  • Jul 2012 - Feb 2014

  Jonesboro, Arkansas Area BioStrategies LC is an R&D drug development company working on treatments for rare diseases. As a Project Developer, I was able to: • Develop knowledge on rare diseases and their treatments • Contact and develop liaison with rare disease advocacy groups as well as parents of patients • Support the grant proposal development lifecycle from proposal preparation and submission, to post-decision review and analysis • Provide project team support as necessary, updating and… Show more BioStrategies LC is an R&D drug development company working on treatments for rare diseases. As a Project Developer, I was able to: • Develop knowledge on rare diseases and their treatments • Contact and develop liaison with rare disease advocacy groups as well as parents of patients • Support the grant proposal development lifecycle from proposal preparation and submission, to post-decision review and analysis • Provide project team support as necessary, updating and maintaining project deadlines • Develop and maintain communication tools between team members and collaborators • Manage timesheets and schedules of employees • Organize, plan and manage meetings and prepare minutes and reports • Facilitate website updates Show less



Infinite Enzymes

• United States
• Biotechnology
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Chief Operations Officer

  • Aug 2012 - Jun 2013

  Jonesboro, Arkansas Area Infinite Enzymes is a biotech company with a novel genetic technology for producing low-cost, plant-based enzymes for converting cellulosic biomass into biofuels and other biobased products. My duties as COO included: • Identify and qualify business opportunities related to potential projects • Coordinate and prepare submission packages for grants applications • Write reports for Federal Agencies • Plan and track projects on web-based Project Management software • Maintain… Show more Infinite Enzymes is a biotech company with a novel genetic technology for producing low-cost, plant-based enzymes for converting cellulosic biomass into biofuels and other biobased products. My duties as COO included: • Identify and qualify business opportunities related to potential projects • Coordinate and prepare submission packages for grants applications • Write reports for Federal Agencies • Plan and track projects on web-based Project Management software • Maintain database of scientific articles • Organize weekly conferences and monthly meetings and keep and record meetings’ minutes Show less



Arkansas State University / Arkansas Biosciences Institute

• Postdoctoral fellow / Lab Manager

  • 2008 - Aug 2012

  Jonesboro, Arkansas Area • Responsible for setting up and manage the Plant-based Protein Production Laboratory at the Arkansas Biosciences Institute. Carried out research on genetically engineered plants and the production of enzymes in plants. Responsible for investigating and implementing molecular techniques to improve endosperm targeted expression of industrial enzymes in maize. • Expertise in Molecular Biology techniques, Biochemistry and Cell Biology • Guest lecturer in Plant Biotechnology • Provided… Show more • Responsible for setting up and manage the Plant-based Protein Production Laboratory at the Arkansas Biosciences Institute. Carried out research on genetically engineered plants and the production of enzymes in plants. Responsible for investigating and implementing molecular techniques to improve endosperm targeted expression of industrial enzymes in maize. • Expertise in Molecular Biology techniques, Biochemistry and Cell Biology • Guest lecturer in Plant Biotechnology • Provided training in laboratory techniques to undergraduate students and student workers • Reviewed and assisted graduate students in writing of manuscripts and thesis work • Organized time schedules and managed daily tasks for undergraduate students • Organized experimental protocols, preparation of SOPs, trouble-shooting and analysis of experiments in the molecular biology laboratory. • Prepared and presented oral and written reports; present results at national and international conferences • Reviewed manuscripts for scientific journals Show less



National University of Ireland / Dublin Institute of Technology

• Graduate Teaching Assistant

  • Sep 2001 - Dec 2004

  Dublin, Ireland • Responsible for practical lessons and laboratory lessons of Molecular Biology at the School of Food Science and Environmental Health to fourth-year students at DIT • Responsible for practical lessons of Biological Sciences to first-year students at NUI Maynooth



ProdiGene

• United States
• Research Services

• Research Assistant

  • May 2000 - May 2001

  Bryan/College Station, Texas Area Molecular Biology Department • Responsible for investigating and conducting experiments for regulatory data. • Handled data and contributed to the preparation of reports to support regulatory submissions. Biochemistry Department • Studied transgenic protein expression levels using protein and enzyme assays