Experience

Boreal Genomics

• Canada
• Biotechnology Research
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Assay Development Scientist

  • Nov 2021 - Present

  • Performed research/development work on Natera’s linked target capture (LTC) technology, a fast and effective alternative to classic hybridization capture for targeted sequencing • Designed LTC assay architectures for duplex capture sequencing • Contributed to development and final performance evaluation of a novel diagnostic liquid comprehensive genomic profiling assay, including LTC library preparation and summary statistics analysis for 305 samples • Investigated LTC assay workflow improvements involving PCR parameter optimization and enzyme additions



BC Centre for Disease Control

• Canada
• Hospitals and Health Care
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Public Health Technologist - Mycobacteriology

  • Mar 2021 - Nov 2021

  • Processed clinical samples, prepared microscopy slides, set up liquid and solid cultures• Performed nucleic acid extraction and real-time PCR• Improved lab efficiency by writing Microsoft Excel VBA macros for formatting and interpreting real-time PCR results, and for summarizing production period statistics

• Public Health Technologist - Molecular Services

  • Jul 2020 - Mar 2021

  • Designed and evaluated real-time multiplex PCR assays for detection of SARS-CoV-2 variants• Performed COVID-19 swab/media validation studies including design and analysis of viral stability experiments, sterility experiments, and writeup of validation reports• Evaluated performance of commercial SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid assays and antigen assays• Managed inventory and performed quality control for PCR reagents• Participated in COVID-19 response team:o Performed nucleic acid extraction and real-time PCR on clinical sampleso Performed Illumina whole genome sequencing on clinical samples



BC Centre for Disease Control

• Canada
• Hospitals and Health Care
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Co-op Student

  • May 2019 - Aug 2019

  • Performed nucleic acid extraction and real-time PCR on blood samples • Designed a real-time PCR assay for multiplex detection of Ehrlichia and Anaplasma species in tick midgut and mouse tissue samples, evaluated assay performance on clinical samples and drafted a validation report o Abstract and poster presentation were accepted to the 2020 AMMI-CACMID Annual Conference • Performed nucleic acid extraction and real-time PCR on blood samples • Designed a real-time PCR assay for multiplex detection of Ehrlichia and Anaplasma species in tick midgut and mouse tissue samples, evaluated assay performance on clinical samples and drafted a validation report o Abstract and poster presentation were accepted to the 2020 AMMI-CACMID Annual Conference



BC Centre for Disease Control

• Canada
• Hospitals and Health Care
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Co-op Student

  • May 2018 - Dec 2018

  • Extracted nucleic acids from 10-30+ clinical samples per day, performed Taqman real-time PCR on the extracts, troubleshot unusual results • Effectively coordinated with other technicians to ensure that both clinical runs and research projects were completed in a timely manner • Updated laboratory databases and quality control forms with high accuracy and attention to detail in preparation for review by the Diagnostic Accreditation Program • Drafted a validation report for a new assay, created guides for future co-op students, gave educational presentations • Researched methods for molecular detection of Helicobacter pylori: o Investigated the detection of tetracycline and clarithromycin resistance in various sample types using Taqman and LightCycler real-time PCR o Explored specificity and sensitivity issues with detecting H. pylori in clinical stool samples using Taqman and LightCycler probes



UBC Zoology - Wood Lab

• Vancouver, Canada Area

• Research Assistant

  • May 2017 - Sep 2017

  • Established an experimental arena for fish behavioural trials by rigorously testing various layouts for salinity and dissolved oxygen levels • Analyzed trial data using Ethovision® XT, GraphPad Prism 7 and Excel • Cared for research fish by maintaining tank salinity and feeding • Created a poster presentation for UBC’s Multidisciplinary Undergraduate Research Conference • Established an experimental arena for fish behavioural trials by rigorously testing various layouts for salinity and dissolved oxygen levels • Analyzed trial data using Ethovision® XT, GraphPad Prism 7 and Excel • Cared for research fish by maintaining tank salinity and feeding • Created a poster presentation for UBC’s Multidisciplinary Undergraduate Research Conference