Experience

Spherotech, Inc

• Biotechnology Research
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Manufacturing Laboratory Specialist

  • Dec 2017 - Present

  Lake Forest, IL Spherotech: A global supplier of micro and nanoparticle solutions, including high quality polystyrene fluorescent, paramagnetic, ferromagnetic, gold, and color dyed particles for diagnostic and research applications Responsible for product packaging, completion of Master Batch Records, and formulation/manufacturing to meet customers’ order requests • Modify current formulations of protein-coated particles, including changes to bills-of-material, to develop new products and meet new… Show more Spherotech: A global supplier of micro and nanoparticle solutions, including high quality polystyrene fluorescent, paramagnetic, ferromagnetic, gold, and color dyed particles for diagnostic and research applications Responsible for product packaging, completion of Master Batch Records, and formulation/manufacturing to meet customers’ order requests • Modify current formulations of protein-coated particles, including changes to bills-of-material, to develop new products and meet new and changing customer requirements • Assist in the manufacture, separation, and cleaning of micro-particles through centrifugation and filtration • Responsible for training all new manufacturing employees on GMPs, processes, and procedures • Research and selection of various automated and process improvement equipment, as well as continuous improvement activities to increase production efficiency Show less



Various Local Organizations

• United States
• Individual and Family Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Volunteer Positions

  • Jan 2009 - Dec 2018

  Vernon Hills, IL Organization Administrator, Vernon Hills Youth Athletic Association (2013 – 2018) • Responsible for website updates, schedule development, parent communication, schedule conflict resolution and data entry Secretary, Cub Scout Pack 273, Vernon Hills (2011-2014) • Responsible for all member communication via e-mail, website, village digital sign, and schools Teacher’s Aid, Hawthorn School of Dual Language (2009 – 2014) • Assisted in all classroom activities, primarily with… Show more Organization Administrator, Vernon Hills Youth Athletic Association (2013 – 2018) • Responsible for website updates, schedule development, parent communication, schedule conflict resolution and data entry Secretary, Cub Scout Pack 273, Vernon Hills (2011-2014) • Responsible for all member communication via e-mail, website, village digital sign, and schools Teacher’s Aid, Hawthorn School of Dual Language (2009 – 2014) • Assisted in all classroom activities, primarily with ESL 1st grade students Volunteer Coordinator, Vernon Hills Soccer Club (2009-2011) • Recruited & scheduled field marshals and field lining volunteers Team Administrator, Greater Libertyville Soccer Association (GLSA) (2012 – 2017) • Communication liaison between coach, players, parents, and visiting teams Show less



Conagra Brands

• United States
• Food and Beverage Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Quality Assurance Specialist

  • Aug 2000 - Jan 2003

  Downers Grove, IL Conagra-Dairy Division: Global manufacturer and distributor of bulk dairy products and iconic food brands such as Blue Bonnet, Reddi-wip, Treasure Cave Blue Cheese, and Egg Beaters Quality Assurance Specialist Responsible for supporting multiple manufacturing locations with technical knowledge, quality audits, customer service responses for escalated technical quality issues, and validation of shelf-life quality from retail locations • Retail Product Line Quality Validation:… Show more Conagra-Dairy Division: Global manufacturer and distributor of bulk dairy products and iconic food brands such as Blue Bonnet, Reddi-wip, Treasure Cave Blue Cheese, and Egg Beaters Quality Assurance Specialist Responsible for supporting multiple manufacturing locations with technical knowledge, quality audits, customer service responses for escalated technical quality issues, and validation of shelf-life quality from retail locations • Retail Product Line Quality Validation: Conducted sensory evaluations, using strategically selected brands • Plant Support: Regular quality audits, Kosher compliance certification, GMP review and validation, and product recall administration • Customer Service: Direct communication, coordination, and resolution of technical and/or extreme quality issues with vendors, factories, commercial customers, and residential customers Show less



Trolli GmbH

• Germany
• Manufacturing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Quality Control/Technical Resources Manager

  • Aug 1999 - Aug 2000

  Creston, IA Trolli Candies (Lifesavers Division-Nabisco): Confectionary company specializing in manufacture of gummy candies with global manufacturing locations Supervised all QC technicians in a 3 shift manufacturing operation and provided QC support to manufacturing • Responsible for GMPs, HACCP, and sanitation policy development and adherence • Improved and audited processing and packaging standards, domestically and internationally • Responded to customer inquiries and complaints; led… Show more Trolli Candies (Lifesavers Division-Nabisco): Confectionary company specializing in manufacture of gummy candies with global manufacturing locations Supervised all QC technicians in a 3 shift manufacturing operation and provided QC support to manufacturing • Responsible for GMPs, HACCP, and sanitation policy development and adherence • Improved and audited processing and packaging standards, domestically and internationally • Responded to customer inquiries and complaints; led detailed root cause analysis investigations

• Research And Development Scientist

  • May 1998 - Aug 1999

  Creston, IA Led team in the ideation, development, and creation of new products and standardization of global manufacturing techniques • Benchtop development of new products leading to increased product offering, cost reductions, and brand specialization • Collaborated globally with scientists from overseas manufacturing facilities on shelf life testing issues/ standards and nutritional specifications • Assisted the Production Team in troubleshooting and optimizing manufacturing operations from… Show more Led team in the ideation, development, and creation of new products and standardization of global manufacturing techniques • Benchtop development of new products leading to increased product offering, cost reductions, and brand specialization • Collaborated globally with scientists from overseas manufacturing facilities on shelf life testing issues/ standards and nutritional specifications • Assisted the Production Team in troubleshooting and optimizing manufacturing operations from prototype to full production scale-up



Iowa State University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Research Assistant

  • Aug 1996 - May 1998

  Ames, IA • Specialized in the structural and functional properties of starch with emphasis on the modification and application of amaranth starch as a fat substitute

• Laboratory Teaching Assistant

  • Aug 1997 - Dec 1997

  Ames, IA • Lectured upper level food chemistry laboratory courses and evaluated students’ lab performance and improvements

• Program for Women in Science and Engineering

  • Aug 1996 - May 1997

  Ames, IA • Researched methods to modify starches to improve functionality including modifying maize starch to determine relevant properties



Tone's Spices (Burns Philp, Inc.)

• Food Scientist - Quality Control

  • Jan 1996 - Dec 1996

  Ankeny, IA Tone's Spices: Processor and distributor of a wide variety of spices, seasonings, extracts, food coloring, and condiments in one of the largest spice production facilities in the world • Routine and on-demand testing of spices for pathogens, including preparation of media for microbial analysis and aseptic sampling of product • Verification of spice particle size to strict quality standards and tolerances

• Howard Hughes Undergraduate Research Assistant

  • Aug 1995 - May 1996

  Ames, IA • Assisted laboratory in starch isolation and analysis



Henri's Food Products

• Food and Beverage Manufacturing

• Food Scientist – Product Development & Quality Control

  • May 1995 - Aug 1995

  Milwaukee, WI Henri's: Manufacturer of viscous and non-viscous salad dressings, specializing in home-style flavors • Reformulated and engineered new salad dressing formulas and tested for microbial safety of products, ingredients, and equipment