Experience

Veloxity Labs, LLC

• United States
• Biotechnology Research
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Associate Scientist II

  • Jun 2023 - 7 months

  Peoria, Illinois, United States



Cepheid

• United States
• Biotechnology Research
• 700 & Above Employee

• Assay Technical Support Specialist

  • Dec 2021 - Oct 2022

  Remote -Handled advanced inquiries and complaints regarding clinical microbiology and oncology PCR assays. -Analyzed data and trends to determine root cause and resolution of customers’ complaints with these PCR assays. -Communicated clearly and timely with customers regarding inquiries, troubleshooting, and resolutions of complaints. -Collaborated on internal project to guide and develop innovated customer care. -Developed training material to assist internal teams, pertaining to… Show more -Handled advanced inquiries and complaints regarding clinical microbiology and oncology PCR assays. -Analyzed data and trends to determine root cause and resolution of customers’ complaints with these PCR assays. -Communicated clearly and timely with customers regarding inquiries, troubleshooting, and resolutions of complaints. -Collaborated on internal project to guide and develop innovated customer care. -Developed training material to assist internal teams, pertaining to molecular biology, PCR, and clinical microbiology. -Developed Salesforce Einstein Analytics dashboards to better visualize team metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs). Show less



Loyola University Medical Center

• Hospitals and Health Care
• 700 & Above Employee

• Medical Laboratory Scientist, Clinical Microbiology

  • Sep 2017 - Jun 2021

  Maywood, Illinois, United States Promoted within six months, from Laboratory Service Support Technician. Collaborated to review quality assurance (QA) program, quality control (QC) documents, and previous yearly Individualized Quality Control Plans (IQCPs); revised and updated IQCPs in accordance with federal regulations and to establish consistency across plans. Assisted weekly review of QC documents and ensured timelines met. Reviewed daily reports for errors and inconsistencies; brought comments to the responsible… Show more Promoted within six months, from Laboratory Service Support Technician. Collaborated to review quality assurance (QA) program, quality control (QC) documents, and previous yearly Individualized Quality Control Plans (IQCPs); revised and updated IQCPs in accordance with federal regulations and to establish consistency across plans. Assisted weekly review of QC documents and ensured timelines met. Reviewed daily reports for errors and inconsistencies; brought comments to the responsible author or immediately amended reports, if necessary. Wrote new processes and procedural documents. Trained new employees in all laboratory aspects. Taught medical students, pathology residents, infection control fellows, and MLS students about subjects such as clinical microbiology, mycology, molecular biology, and virology. Super user of Cepheid Infinity-80 system. Overhauled Isensix temperature monitoring system to increase regulatory compliance. Identified bacteria and yeast (via biochemicals, MALDI-TOF, and MicroScan Rapid ID panels) (in blood cultures, urine cultures, aerobic and anaerobic wound cultures, and respiratory cultures). Determined if organisms were commensal or pathogenic, if antimicrobial susceptibility testing was needed, and how to report findings. Phenotypically identified additional yeasts, molds, and limited parasites, performed, interpreted, and reported antifungal susceptibilities on yeast species, and shipped out molds to a reference laboratory for antifungal susceptibility testing if warranted. Performed, interpreted, and reported Gram stains, fungal Calcofluor-white stains, Pneumocystis jirovecii direct fluorescence stains, and modified acid-fast stains. Escalated appropriate cases to technical specialists and medical director.

• Laboratory Service Support Technician, Clinical Microbiology

  • Mar 2017 - Sep 2017

  Maywood, Illinois Received, reviewed, and processed appropriate specimens Identified and resolved errors as they arose, via phone and in-person communication with physicians and nurses Multitasked in rapidly evolving situations, while maintaining attention to detail Troubleshooted and maintained PCR instruments (Cepheid and Biofire) Directed phone-calls throughout the laboratory Completed and documented daily quality control Performed rapid antigen and molecular testing



Illinois Wesleyan University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 400 - 500 Employee

• Molecular Genetics Laboratory Student

  • Jan 2014 - May 2014

  Bloomington/Normal, Illinois Area Investigated the existence of ribonucleotide reductase gene in a newly discovered bacteriophage; performed DNA extractions, ligations, and transformations; utilized polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for amplificaiton; conducted and analyzed results of gel electrophoresis



Illinois Wesleyan University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 400 - 500 Employee

• Teaching Assistant, Chemistry 201

  • Aug 2011 - Dec 2012

  Bloomington/Normal, Illinois Area Supervised laboratories of 20 students; explained chemical principles behind experiments; organized and stocked chemicals; maintained laboratory equipment; graded and organized assignments