Alejandro Consuegra
Kearny,NJ
Summary
Motivated and dependable chemist successful at managing challenges and priorities with a positive attitude and the goal of establishing a solid career path within the pharmaceutical industry. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team and company goals. Able to learn and perform most job functions within the proper training window.
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
Work History
Scientist II
Merck & Co. (contractor)
03.2024 - 09.2024
- Analytical development scientist performing research on solid-oral dosage forms.
- Performed assays such as but not limited to: nitrosamine assay, assay/degradation, excipient compatibility, dissolution, karl fischer, stress testing.
- Proficient in use of analytical instruments such as LCMS, QDa, QQQ LCMS, HPLC, UPLC, CAD(charged aerosol detector).
- Proficient with EMPOWER chromatographic systems and other chromatography software such as SCIEX.
- Performed complex troubleshooting and assisted in leading initiatives to solve challenging scientific problems with assays or instrumentation.
- Contributed valuable insights during project planning meetings by presenting research findings and proposing innovative solutions to scientific challenges.
- Assisted senior level scientists with experiment design using appropriate controls and variables, resulting in valid conclusions being drawn from collected data.
- Aided in the design of high-visibility studies, such as staging long-term stress testing of different drug formulations.
- Handled potent compounds such as nitrosamines, using engineering controls such as a glove box/isolator, respirator and proper training protocol.
- Communicated effectively across teams from multiple departments to ensure efficient and high-throughput data collection.
- Compliance with various laboratory safety and environmental protocols.
- Performed analytical assays and ensured proper safety measures in line with existing SOP.
Chemist II (Associate)
Merck And Co. (Contractor)
08.2022 - 08.2023
- Lead efforts to transfer and establish analytical methods from one site to another.
- Received sample submissions from bio-process development team, performed and presented analytical tests and results in a timely manner.
- Used Empower chromatographic systems to operate instruments and create/alter UPLC methods.
- Performed technical laboratory functions in compliance with regulatory agencies and safety requirements.
- Contributed to the design and execution of experiments to characterize impurity groups and potential adduct formation of API, drug substance and drug product samples.
- Ran analytical experiments to establish efficient methods for ion-pairing-reverse-phase analyses of mRNA based drugs.
- Modified and adapted standard methods and procedures to solve analytical problems.
- Participated in team discussions and new project initiatives to advance progress and optimize analytical efficiency.
- Worked collaboratively with cross-site and cross-functional teams in research and development.
- Quickly learned new skills and applied them to daily tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.
- Maintained organized, safe and efficient laboratory environment to minimize accidents and prevent cross contamination.
- Performed troubleshooting on LC and CAD systems in order to ensure efficient testing output.
- Worked closely with scientists to develop novel analytical methods or improve established methods.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
QC/QA Specialist
Vital Health America LLC
07.2021 - 08.2022
- Operated in both cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practice) and non-cGMP environments for a bulk supplement manufacturing plant which involved blending, tableting, encapsulation and tablet coating.
- Performed cGMP training in both english and spanish for new employees and interns.
- Ensured worker compliance of cGMP and S&E.
- Provided regular updates to team leadership on quality metrics by communicating consistency problems or production deficiencies.
- Recorded findings of inspection process, collaborating with quality team to implement corrective actions.
- Promoted adherence to quality standards by educating personnel on quality control.
- Determined root cause of deviations and non-conforming results and implemented appropriate corrective and preventive actions throughout product development process.
- Performed physical testing of solid tablets and capsules prior to batch production.
- Performed microbiological testing on raw materials and finished goods. Tested for total plate count, yeast/mold, E. Coli, S. Aureus and Salmonella in order to ensure the safety of the dietary supplement.
- Used HPLC to analyze raw material and finished product and verified proper levels of vitamins, caffeine, melatonin etc. in order to ensure adherence to label claim.
- Performed FTIR on raw material compared the result to a reference spectrum on as a means to properly identify the product
- Signed and released batch records as a QA team member prior to the batch records entering production. Verifying proper formulation and production protocols.
- Worked closely with product development and oversaw batch record reworks and deviations in terms of formulation or production protocol.
- Worked with the QA director on projects involving certifications and/or inspections from NSF, USDA organic certifications, NJ Department of Health. All of which were successful.
- Collected samples of coated tablets and released the batch for packaging and distribution.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Biochemistry
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ01.2022
Skills
- Proficient with Empower chromatographic systems
- Knowledge of basic laboratory safety procedures, material storage and disposal
- Protein Purification
- Gel electrophoresis and SDS PAGE
- Various chromatography techniques (LCMS, UPLC, CAD, HPLC, GC, Paper chromatography, etc)
- Familiar with various organic chemistry techniques such as recrystallization, distillation, extraction and basic syntheses
- Effective communicator and translator(written and verbal) between English and Spanish
Timeline
Scientist II
Merck & Co. (contractor)
03.2024 - 09.2024
Chemist II (Associate)
Merck And Co. (Contractor)
08.2022 - 08.2023
QC/QA Specialist
Vital Health America LLC
07.2021 - 08.2022
Bachelor of Science - Biochemistry
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey