Experience

Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority

• United States
• Utilities
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Acting Laboratory Manager

  • Mar 2021 - Present

   Oversees daily laboratory operations and assignments for numerous slated and non-timetabled water quality projects, sample collections and relevant qualitative and quantitative sample analyses. Manages day-to-day plant, field tests, and special laboratory studies to support treatment process optimization. Oversees preventative maintenance and repair activities of laboratory, plant, and field sampling equipment/instrumentation. Facilitates activities required by the Department of Environmental Protection's Laboratory Accreditation Bureau, including preparing required documentation, applications, and coordinating yearly assessments and technical revisions to the laboratory’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Reviews drafts of new and updated SOPs for conformance with state and federal EPA requirements; works with Water Quality Management and staff to resolve procedural and other matters pertinent to SOPs. Maintains and updates the laboratory’s Quality Assurance Plan (QAP); leads, oversees, and harmonizes the laboratory’s staff and the implementation of the QAP. Inspects, classifies, and manages laboratory records and data for accuracy and completeness. Show less

• Chemist II

  • Jul 2007 - Present

   Proficient in the operation, maintenance, and instrument setup of the Thermo Scientific™ iCAP™ RQ ICP-MS for the determination of trace metals analysis of source and processed water by EPA 200.8 and EPA 6020B.  Proficient in the operation, maintenance, and instrument setup of the Thermo Scientific™ ISQ GC-MS for the determination of volatile organic compounds and disinfection byproducts of source and processed water by EPA 524.2. Serves as technical lead for analytical techniques including ICP-MS, GC-MS, ion chromatography, total organic carbon, and AAS with responsibility for the daily operation of analytical instrumentation. Presides over improved chemical addition of process control chemicals, treatment, and optimization utilizing pilot plant, formation potential, and jar testing studies, etc. Instrumental to the training and delegation of work to new and supporting staff; to include routine process control and special projects. Show less



United States Army Reserve

• United States
• Armed Forces
• 700 & Above Employee

• Interior Electrician (12R)

  • Nov 2010 - Oct 2016

  Primarily responsible for the installation and maintenance for all of the Army’s interior electrical systems. Primarily responsible for the installation and maintenance for all of the Army’s interior electrical systems.



U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

• United States
• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Biological Science Laboratory Technician

  • Dec 2001 - Jul 2007

   Responsible for the processing of biological samples (CSF, Brain Tissue, Plasma, Red Blood Cells), under GLP for various research studies; i.e. WPIC Schizophrenia, EPA (20:5n3) Fatty Acid Methyl Esters, MAYO, and Alzheimer's study.  Free amino acid (FAA) analysis of biological samples (CSF, Brain Tissue, Plasma, Red Blood Cells) through a modified extraction procedure based on Phenomenex EZ: Faast GC/MS Free (Physiological) Amino Analysis Kit.  Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) analysis (sample processing, integration, preliminary data analysis) by gas chromatography on HP-5890 Series II controlled by Chemstations Rev. A.09.03 [1417].  Phospholipid analysis of lipid extractions by Beckman SystemGOLD with Sedex 55 Evaporative Light Scattered Detector (ELSD). Neutral Lipid/Phospholipid analysis by Thin Layer Chromatograph.  Participated in the development for measurement of neurotransmitters, monoamines, and amino acids in the pmol range (NE, EPI, DA, 5-HT, TRY, TYR, etc.) for biological samples by ESA CoulArray Isocratic HPLC system.  GC Instrument knowledge includes column installation, replacement/cleaning of injector liner/FID jet/FID collector assembly, column conditioning, temperature program modification, troubleshooting and instrument control for sample analysis.  LC Instrument knowledge includes column installation, pump maintenance (piston, seal, check valve SS tubing, inline filters), calibration curve setup/preparation, gradient modification and system troubleshooting. Show less