Experience

MeliBio

• United States
• Food and Beverage Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Senior Scientist

  • Oct 2023 - Present



Perfect Day

• United States
• Food and Beverage Services
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Scientist III, Biochemistry Team Lead

  • Jan 2022 - Aug 2023

  Perfect Day produces dairy proteins using precision fermentation. Our approach generates whey proteins with identical structure and food functionality as traditional dairy from cows with a fraction of the environmental footprint.- I am currently leading the Biochemistry effort at Perfect Day Berkeley. I manage a dynamic team to bring reliable, accurate assays to R&D via robust method development and validation avenues. - My expertise includes protein purification and characterization via FPLC (SEC, IEX, affinity, HIC, multi-modal), PAGE (SDS-PAGE, nPAGE, IEF, 2D-PAGE, Western blotting) and 96 well plate assays to probe structural/functional relationships (absorbance, fluorescence, colorimetric).- I have developed and routinely perform a diverse range of biophysical and biochemical techniques to probe protein integrity & stability, behavior and identity including proteomics, DSC, differential scanning fluorometry (DSF), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and phase assisted light scattering (PALS).- The Biochemistry Team explores a broad range of sample matrices to test hypotheses concerning protein behavior and functionality. We serve and collaborate with diverse teams, including Strain Engineering, Screening, Fermentation, DSP, Food Discovery, Commercial and QA/QC.- In my current role, I have expanded my managerial and non-scientific skillset, including budget generation & planning, Capex requests and ROIs, promotions & advocation, project planning and managing, goal planning and succession/growth planning. Show less

• Analytics Scientist II

  • Oct 2019 - Apr 2022

  - Developed expertise in high throughput method development & validation of protein/biomolecule interaction assays. To combat sensory issues present in final products a kinetic enzymatic assay was established to assess quality risk across a range of biomolecules. This work identified strains and process conditions that presented a reduced risk of sensory failure and allowed data-driven progress towards a higher quality product for food applications.- Demonstrated capability to technically lead and manage projects encompassing scientists with diverse skill sets when new protein targets were onboarded. Drove protein characterization to gain structural and behavioral results via FPLC, PAGE, HPLC, DSC, IEF and ANS hydrophobicity assay. Consolidated a wealth of data into concise, detailed reports and reported results to key stakeholders to inform the feasibility of pursuing protein targets for further development and food applications.- Successfully collaborated with Food scientists to develop peptide SEC and peptide PAGE methods to quantify the degree of hydrolyzation in powder samples based on molecular weight ranges of interest. This method identified optimal hydrolyzation conditions for the Food Team to generate products that met specifications required by external customers. - Identified a technical capability gap within the team regarding the lack of a high throughput protein thermostability assay to inform how strain, fermentation and process changes influence stability. Advocated and justified the purchase of instrumentation for real-time thermostability measurements, and maintained a fruitful relationship with the vendor to negotiate a 20 % discount. Show less

• Analytics Scientist I

  • Oct 2018 - Oct 2019

  - Worked on a multi-team collaboration to solve quality issues in final products and resulted in a published patent. This involved deep understanding of protein and small molecule interactions, enzymology and protein separation techniques including HIC and SEC. - Designed and generated several assays that required fundamental knowledge of protein structure and predictive solution behavior under different solvent conditions, including Ellman’s assay to probe free thiols, native PAGE and SEC. These assays were routinely utilized to inform stakeholders whether protein integrity is maintained following fermentation and in-process changes. - Advocated and justified purchase of an FPLC system and negotiated a 30 % discount on the system with the vendor. The subsequent work carried out on the FPLC allowed the instrument to reimburse itself within 6 months. Show less



Berkeley Lab

• United States
• Research Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Materials Scientist Postdoctoral Fellow

  • May 2016 - Sep 2018

  - Engineered highly robust, 2D self-organizing S-layer proteins for the simultaneous and controlled deposition of multiple types of nanoparticles. Modified two protein-conjugation systems, coupled orthogonally to allow the creation of bimetallic arrays with plasmonic properties. - Characterized proteinaceous hybrid materials using fluorescence microscopy, IRM, SEM/STEM/HR-TEM and GISAXS- Primary researcher and communicator in a multidisciplinary team of biologists, chemists and physicists to analyze plasmonics and visualize hybrid materials. - Presented research to a range of audiences, from general public to academics, at lab tours, international conferences and through peer-reviewed papers. - Developed and implemented protocols for protein engineering and soft sample imaging.- Optimized experiments for DNA manipulation as well as protein expression and isolation. Show less

• Undergraduate Mentor

  • 2017 - 2018

  - Instructed and trained student in skills typically employed in a biochemistry/protein analysis laboratory. - Developed a project for student and directly supervised her progress and technical skill development.



Macquarie University

• Australia
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• PHD Student

  • Mar 2012 - Sep 2015

  - Embellished synthetic ring-forming proteins to fabricate novel tubule and cage nanostructures.- Used a range of biophysical techniques including SEC, MALLS, TEM and SAXS to characterize proteins.- Probed RNA-binding capabilities of engineered proteins with DSF, ITC.- Developed expertise in protein crystallization and crystal optimization.- Recipient of the Australian Postgraduate Award (2012 - 2015).- Presented results at a number of international conferences and received student poster prizes in consecutive years.- Mentored and trained 3 Masters of Science students; passed on routine protein chemistry skills. Show less

• Masters Mentor

  • 2013 - 2015

  - Introduced students to techniques routinely used in a protein structure laboratory, passed on laboratory skill-set through hands-on experience.

• Undergraduate Laboratory Demonstrator/Tutor

  • 2011 - 2015

  Graded written assignments and exams, demonstrated experiments and carried out laboratory supervision for: - Introductory Inorganic Chemistry - Organic and Biological Chemistry - Biochemistry - Molecular Biology - Protein Discovery and Analysis

• Research Assistant

  • Oct 2011 - Dec 2011

  - Used recombinant protein protocols to express and isolate biomacromolecules localised within genomic islands in pathogenic Aceinetobacter baumannii. - Gained experience in initial matrix screens for protein crystallization.

• Honours Student

  • Feb 2011 - Nov 2011

  - Designed, expressed and purified polyprotein fusions of RNA-binding proteins.- Carried out solution studies, using SEC and MALLS, to determine self-assembly and oligomerization pathways



Woolcock Institute of Medical Research

• Glebe, NSW, Australia

• Research Assistant

  • Nov 2008 - Mar 2009

  Worked with the Respiratory & Environmental Epidemiology Team . Ambient air samples and respiratory air samples from human subjects were collected at locations surrounding the Lane Cove Tunnel, Sydney at various times of the day. These samples were analysed for N-containing gas compounds to determine if there is a relationship between pollutants from the tunnel and local respiratory health. Worked with the Respiratory & Environmental Epidemiology Team . Ambient air samples and respiratory air samples from human subjects were collected at locations surrounding the Lane Cove Tunnel, Sydney at various times of the day. These samples were analysed for N-containing gas compounds to determine if there is a relationship between pollutants from the tunnel and local respiratory health.