Alex MacGregor

• Diligently adhered to proprietary SOPs throughout workflow in cannabis environmental testing laboratory to ensure accuracy and integrity of final results for regulatory compliance. Actively contributed to protocol refinement for compliance and efficiency.
• Proactively managed diverse laboratory tasks, mastered new sample preparation and analytical techniques, and independently operated and maintained complex instruments, including serving as Subject Matter Expert (SME) for GC-FlD.
• Simultaneously managed multiple lab procedures under tight deadlines, ensuring accurate, timely results to support decision-making and cross-team collaboration.
• Ensured accuracy of client reports demonstrating regulatory compliance, and strictly adhering to client confidentiality protocols. Meticulously recorded and organized raw test data in shared Google Sheets databases and report templates, as well as modified and validated standard calculations as needed to support data analysis and reporting integrity.

These duties were completed simultaneously to position as laboratory technician after promotion at PTL:

• Independently optimized laboratory sample management in response to increasing workload, team size, and sample volume (up to 400 monthly). Initiated cross-functional team communication protocols to ensure efficient sample tracking and analysis priority, and established test-specific sample use limitations (e.g., minimum of 0.8g within 1.0±0.2g range) to optimize resource allocation.
• Optimized quality control by implementing stringent aseptic technique and equipment sanitization protocols, informed by prior experience, during qPCR sample prep to prevent microbial contamination across shared samples and cross-contaminating between prepared qPCR samples. This ensured sample integrity for laboratory-wide testing and enhanced overall workflow efficiency.

• Developed engaging pre-lab materials to assess student preparedness and guide them through laboratory exercises, foster active learning, and support successful completion of activities, experiments, and assignments.
• Demonstrated standard lab procedures, provided in-lab guidance, and encouraged independent learning and peer-to-peer engagement.
• Balanced personal academic and thesis research workload with weekly TA obligations inside and outside the classroom (≥15 hours), including assessment of lab assignments and term papers, providing constructive and timely feedback that enhanced student performance and learning outcomes.
• Earned high student evaluations and served as a professional reference for multiple students. Recognized by lab coordinators for exceeding contractual obligations, demonstrating dedication and instructional skills through willingness to teach additional laboratory sections.

• Performed upstream plasmid DNA production processes for Aldevron's GMP-Source program (transformations, bacterial culturing, fermentation, harvesting, glycerol stock banking), adhering to aseptic techniques and industry-standard comprehensive traceability, document control, and materials segregation protocols to ensure product integrity and client confidentiality.
• Demonstrated effective communication and collaboration with colleagues from diverse backgrounds in a multinational company, fostering a positive work environment and ensuring clear production protocols.
• Managed production lot preparation and supply management within a dynamic environment, ensuring consistent inventory tracking, ordering, and organization of lab supplies.
• Supported team collaboration and well-being through voluntary cross-training, mastering additional tasks to assist colleagues, minimize workflow delays, and efficiently reduce excessive overtime.
• Successfully navigated a night shift environment lacking direct supervisor, utilizing exceptional teamwork, problem-solving, and self-reliance to proactively collaborate with colleagues, and identify and resolve production challenges to ensure uninterrupted workflows and product quality.

• Promoted to GMP role after 10 months, showcasing dedication to rigorous quality standards and adaptability.
• Performed upstream plasmid DNA production processes (primarily transformations, bacterial culturing, glycerol stock banking) in a sterile environment within ISO-classified manufacturing suites, ensuring product integrity through meticulous adherence to cGMP traceability, segregation protocols, and client-specific batch records.
• Task-certified trainer for new operators, contributing to team development and knowledge transfer, including with colleagues with diverse backgrounds.
• Continued to exhibit initiative by collaborating with management on process improvement initiatives, driving continuous optimization of workflows and cGMP compliance during night shift.
• Continued responsibilities for lab supply management (inventory, ordering, organization, intake, and sterilization) to ensure smooth execution of cGMP-compliant production processes.

• Supported NWROC's pest and disease management program to assess pest pressure and inform management strategies by performing diverse lab and field tasks as part of a small crew throughout Minnesota and North Dakota, including installing and maintaining insect suction traps, establishing and monitoring pesticide trial plots, propagating and maintaining trial greenhouse plants, and conducting multi-crop weekly insect population data counts.
• Completed near-daily inspections of suction trap samples from farmers to accurately identify and differentiate aphid specimens from other insects, enabling precise pest identification by postdoctoral researchers.
• Demonstrated initiative and ensured lab compliance by independently sourcing, organizing, and maintaining several dozen Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for pesticide inventory. Additionally assigned tasks over other crew members based on superior laboratory experience.
• Maintained a safe working environment by completing regular laboratory and field safety training, ensuring compliance with protocols for working in an active agricultural research environment.