Experience

R&D Systems

• United States
• Biotechnology Research
• 300 - 400 Employee

• Advanced Quality Control Technician

  • Oct 2022 - Present

• Quality Control Technician

  • Nov 2019 - Oct 2022



Cargill

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

• Senior Laboratory Technician

  • Mar 2015 - Nov 2019

  Wet chemistry technician working independently and with a team to get a range test results to customers in a timely manner. Testing is assigned to different employees on a rotational basis, to reduce ergonomic stress, ensure teamwork and communication between coworkers. Help implement lab improvements to work towards ISO Compliance and maintain GLP.Conduct ELISA testing for five different toxins. Assist with an annual corn survey for customers throughout the United States looking for toxin hot spots. Survey results impacts routine testing schedules. Test samples for in vitro protein digestibility using regular and zero hour techniques, in triplicate. Search and pull crude protein results to ensure correct weighing amounts of each sample to be tested.Run autoclave and boiling total starch, and corresponding gel starch. Help set control expectations and limits for testing globally.Use Soxhlet extraction and Ankom 2000 Fiber Analyzer to determine neutral and acid digested fiber amounts. Put finished samples through ashing or protein analysis to determine organic NDF and ADF numbers, along with neutral and acid detergent insoluble crude protein values.Maintain and use two of Elementar's Rapid N Exceed nitrogen and protein analyzers. Troubleshoot as needed and replace consumables on a scheduled basis and run samples previously tested NDF and ADF samples for insoluble crude protein values .Use Microsoft applications to document results, monitor control charts, and communicate with other technicians and other teams in an effective and efficient manner. Pull pending sample lists from and upload results to a laboratory information management system.Serve as a representative to the Community Outreach, Recognition, and Engagement committee. Lead the team in planning and executing volunteer activities, donation drives, recognition programs, and the company's annual giving campaign. Show less

• Laboratory Technician

  • Apr 2013 - May 2015

  Laboratory technician receiving and processing in raw material samples from customers for near-infrared spectroscopy. Includes taking an accurate inventory of samples received from each plant location or individual customers, logging samples into the laboratory information management system, and assigning the correct testing based on a testing schedule or by request. Then grinding the samples to 1mm particles using a Retsch grinder, before scanning each sample on the appropriate NIR machine. Routinely maintain and use multiple Foss DS2500, 6500, and 5000 machines. Perform the same preparation and logging for international samples, while ensuring the proper handling, labeling, and disposal.Also responsible for retaining samples for three months to allow for retesting, while maintaining enough storage space for current and future samples. Assist with projects and monitoring sample sets to create and maintain calibrations for multiple instruments. Show less



Contracted to Cargill

• Laboratory Technician

  • May 2012 - Apr 2013

  Receive and process wet forage samples by marking and sorting collection bags by product type; entering sample and client information into database and assigning the proper testing requested. Dry, grind and scan samples by NIR spectroscopy while maintaining a clean and organized working environment to ensure uncontaminated samples and quality results, as well as the safety of my coworkers and myself. Send out supplies to consultants in the field nationwide to gather samples; forward samples needing additional testing to outside laboratories. Manage retains of wet samples for minimum of one week and dry samples for a minimum of three months, then dispose of properly according to current EHS standards. Show less