Experience

Edison Agrosciences, Inc.

• United States
• Biotechnology Research
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director of Plant Transformation

  • Jan 2021 - Present

  Design and execute all aspects of cell biology to deliver genetic elements into sunflower to enhance the production of rubber in sunflower. Manage and design the plant transformation pipeline. Aid in designing gene constructs for enhanced gene expression. Assist in the writing of reports and grant applications to sponsors. Assist and advise in the maintenance of plants and seed production of events under greenhouse conditions.

• Director

  • Jan 2021 - Present



Plastomics LLC

• St. Louis, MO, USA

• Private Consultant

  • Aug 2017 - Nov 2021

  Currently designing in vitro systems for the production of plastid transformants in corn for the start-up company, Plastomics, PLC. This is a project which falls into my current thinking of being highly challenging but the rewards of success as very high value. Currently designing in vitro systems for the production of plastid transformants in corn for the start-up company, Plastomics, PLC. This is a project which falls into my current thinking of being highly challenging but the rewards of success as very high value.



Self-employed

• St. Louis, MO, USA

• Transformation Lead

  • Aug 2017 - Nov 2021



Chromatin, Inc.

• Leader of technology transfer and innovation

  • Nov 2014 - Jan 2016

  Lead the transfer technology from the R&D group in Champaign, IL to University of North Texas (UNT) to aid the continuation of the Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-e) grant on sesquiterpene production in sorghum. Train and supervise research scientists in producing and maintaining cultures to enable continuous flow of events to allow high throughput analysis. Manage and track all events through database management. Multitask individual working in management and research in the… Show more Lead the transfer technology from the R&D group in Champaign, IL to University of North Texas (UNT) to aid the continuation of the Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-e) grant on sesquiterpene production in sorghum. Train and supervise research scientists in producing and maintaining cultures to enable continuous flow of events to allow high throughput analysis. Manage and track all events through database management. Multitask individual working in management and research in the office, laboratory and greenhouse. Manage greenhouse settings to comply with APHIS and internal regulatory board. Responsible for filing and managing movements of germplasm and constructs between collaborators. Report and manage data for quarterly reviews to sponsor.

• Cereal Transformation Specialist

  • Oct 2011 - Nov 2014

  Initially, worked on minichromosome technology for the transfer of agronomic traits into corn. In 2012, started on ARPA-e program in elevating sesquiterpene production in sorghum. Major player in developing, troubleshoot and executing the most efficient gene transfer system in sorghum enabling up to 9 gene constructs being transferred into all groups of sorghum (grain, sweet and forage types). Manage and track projects ensuring goals and milestones are attained according to plan. Train and… Show more Initially, worked on minichromosome technology for the transfer of agronomic traits into corn. In 2012, started on ARPA-e program in elevating sesquiterpene production in sorghum. Major player in developing, troubleshoot and executing the most efficient gene transfer system in sorghum enabling up to 9 gene constructs being transferred into all groups of sorghum (grain, sweet and forage types). Manage and track projects ensuring goals and milestones are attained according to plan. Train and supervise interns to allow deliverables are achieved. Characterize events at molecular level when required. Report and deliver data for in-house meetings, project leader and grant holder on-time.



AgriLife Research

• Associate Research Scientist

  • Jun 2008 - Jul 2011

  Use plant cell culture approaches to develop germplasm material which has tolerance to Zebra Chip disease in commercial chipping varieties of potato. Accelerate output of regenerated shoots from mature tissue of sweet orange for rapid screening for commercialization traits by novel culture approaches. Aid in the development a transformation system for western shipper melon. Write grants to forward the progress of potato, sugarcane and citrus projects Use plant cell culture approaches to develop germplasm material which has tolerance to Zebra Chip disease in commercial chipping varieties of potato. Accelerate output of regenerated shoots from mature tissue of sweet orange for rapid screening for commercialization traits by novel culture approaches. Aid in the development a transformation system for western shipper melon. Write grants to forward the progress of potato, sugarcane and citrus projects