Andrew S. Lee
San Diego,CA
Summary
Dynamic Lead Automation Engineer with a proven track record of enhancing productivity through innovative robotic process automation and seamless system integration. Recognized for expertise in continuous improvement methodologies, problem-solving, and teamwork in fast-paced technology environments. Dedicated to driving operational efficiency and delivering impactful automation solutions that align with organizational goals.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Automation Engineer
Foundation Medicine Inc
San Diego, California
01.2020 - Current
- Joined as the first full time automation engineer in the west coast expansion of Foundation Medicine (FMI)
- Collaborated remotely with members of the Assay Development team (in Cambridge, MA) to launch Hamilton liquid handling roadmaps in San Diego
- Deployed Foundation Medicine’s liquid biopsy sample handling process for FoundationOne Liquid CDx in San Diego
- Executed company specific validation programs for sample handling
- Guidance, training, and implementation performed remotely in San Diego offices during the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Worked with laboratory members of the Lexent Bio acquisition, to develop and deploy customized sample processing systems for early detection (ie DNA methylation)
- Using prior problem-solving experience, assisted with improving pipetting efficiency and accuracy in new liquid handling efforts (Twist Fast Hybridization) and improving various processes for overall success
- Become key member of the Assay Development staff to develop new motorized liquid handling protocols for the Early Research team
- Included implementing and adapting existing protocols from other worksites using Github repository
- Key member of alignment committee to bridge deployments between Clinical / Lab Operations methods on Hamilton instruments to evolving Research & Development projects
- R&D methods are constantly behind in versioning and requires team members involved in process to share latest details
Automation Engineer
BioSpyder Technologies
Carlsbad, California
01.2017 - 01.2020
- Created automated workflow to create RNA-targeted based protocol for detecting SARS-COV-2
- Helped supply R&D team with specific detector oligonucleotides in a variety of customized pools
- Actively agile with the agenda to change content at a moment’s notice
- The assay successfully used in European studies of the virus in Scotland and collaborations with established American companies like Quest Diagnostics
- Enhanced liquid handling automation protocols on the Biomek FX instrument for combining, aliquoting, and transferring solutions for a high-throughput gene expression assay
- Prepared and wrote SOPs and quality policy documents for liquid handling instrument operation and various workflow processes used at the company
- As a result, the company passed a major EPA audit of the product and service offerings
- Developed single cell emulsion protocols for RNA based sequencing
- Use the Nadia instrument from Dolomite to create emulsions with barcoded beads in lysis buffer, cells, and emulsions buffers
- Overhauled issues with vendor in a timely manner
Senior Engineer, Sample Prep Automation
BioNano Genomics Inc.
San Diego, California
01.2016 - 01.2017
- Planned and set system-level requirements for sample prep automation solutions on the Hamilton NIMBUS HD liquid handler
- Sample was fragile and self-contained in a non SBS format device where direct contact with a robot tip prohibited
- Managed the relationship with external partners, including requirements, deliverables, and schedules
- Previous experience valuable in determining project stakeholders and working with all members of the team in a productive manner to meet project goals
- Staff guru for Hamilton Instrument programming
- Executed ad-hoc testing of bread-board and prototype systems
- Collaborated with biologists, engineers, and software developers to set requirements and improve system performance
- Successfully remodeled assay in 6 months time for successful technical review, followed by beta testing and product marketing and launch
Senior Automation Systems Engineer
SGI-DNA Inc.
La Jolla, California
01.2016 - 12.2016
- Expanded scope of customized workflows to handle constructs made on the BioXp 3200, the new DNA assembly benchtop instrument from SGI-DNA
- Implemented full mechanization in the High Throughput lab to increase efficiency by 100 to 150%
- Organized purchase of several automation platforms and implemented them all into the production pipeline
- Collaborated with fellow team leads to improve the processes of the production pipeline
- Gained experience in programming, optimizing, and troubleshooting liquid handling systems and became and expert user in Biomek hardware and software
Team Lead, Automation
SGI-DNA Inc.
La Jolla, California
01.2013 - 12.2016
- Developed the prototype for a genomics device that would eventually become the BioXp 3200
- Used skills in liquid handling, automation, and Visual BASIC programming to assist mechanical engineering team
- Initial prototype became benchmark for the performance of the final version of instrument
- Led alpha test of instrument validation and performance
- Oversaw transition to becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Synthetic Genomics called SGI-DNA
- Became proficient on 5S lean manufacturing organization systems
- Helped coordinate all 5 stages of the mantra to clean and organize laboratory workstations
- Lead various projects to validate, test, and implement essential instrumentation into the DNA synthesis pipeline, including a Hudson Rapid Pick Lite colony picker
- Evaluated, hired and mentored an employee to take on more responsibility so that other projects were developed further in the organization
Automation Systems Engineer
Synthetic Genomics Inc.
La Jolla, California
01.2012 - 01.2013
- Performed maintenance on many modules of automation in the Synthetic Genomics Inc
- Technologies division
- Programmed code to leverage full potential of computerized systems
- Operated and troubleshot 3730xl capillary sequencers and MiSeq Next Generation sequencers
- Led and worked with the team to optimize operations and purchases
- Implemented a 3D printer into the laboratory to create custom solutions for various problems that could not be solved in conventional ways
- Integrated a Molecular Devices 48-well bioassay tray to a Biomek NXp liquid handler system
- Extremely proficient in troubleshooting, programming, and using the Molecular Devices QPix2 colony picker
- Responsible for upkeep, maintenance, organization, and implementation of a calibration and preventative maintenance master schedule
- Wrote Standard Operating Procedures regarding operation and maintenance of machines
Senior Research Associate
Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center
Emeryville, California
01.2003 - 01.2012
- Company Overview: High Throughput Sequencing Facility
- Maintained and operated various equipment (Biomek FX liquid handler, ABi 3730xl DNA Analyzer, Deerac Fluidics nanoliter liquid handler)
- Responsible for organizing and scheduling preventative maintenance
- Chief programmer for designing methods on the Biomek FX
- Created a custom method to specifically sample individual samples contained in 96 well microtiter plates (“cherry picking”)
- Developed genomic assays to test and verify amino acid changing polymorphisms in human genetic sequences that could play an important role in alcohol or drug abuse
- Effectively lead a project to miniaturize the sample volume of the assays to save on material costs and extend the use of DNA samples
- Led the lab’s core sequencing service to the Research Center
- Received and processed DNA samples submitted for cycle sequencing
- Returned data to end users via in-house request system
- High Throughput Sequencing Facility
Senior Research Associate
Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center
Emeryville, California
01.2001 - 01.2003
- Company Overview: High Throughput Screening Facility
- Maintained and operated various equipment (Beckman Multimek, Biomek 2000, Tomtec Quadra3, Abgene ALPS 300 Plate Sealer)
- Responsible for scheduling, providing preventative maintenance, and creating SOPs
- Performed specific assays to test and verify primary drug target hits in compound libraries
- This information leads to calculations of IC50 potency that enabled Primary Investigators to further investigate these compounds
- Completed the Biology, Chemistry, and Querying classes for the IDBS ActivityBase (ABase) compound database system
- Created and designed protocol templates to process data from various laboratory workstations
- Created users (with Oracle DBA Studio) with specific privileges
- Queried results and compound structures associated with the data from the database
- Augmented fluorescence polarization assays that targeted protein kinase enzymes that inhibit certain antibodies from binding; had very positive effects on alcoholism, anxiety, and pain
- High Throughput Screening Facility
Instrumentation Technician
Chem Rx Advanced Technologies
South San Francisco, California
01.2000 - 01.2001
- Ensured that all equipment for the company’s purification project in compliance, as a Validation Specialist
- Founded the validation protocol template made standard throughout the company
- Generated IQ/OQ/PQ validation procedures for most equipment in the project as well as primary consultant for all other pieces of equipment in the process
- Invented the entire backend process of the high throughput purification project, which included integrating all the validated equipment and robotics
- Performed intensive Computerized System Validation (CSV), which included the standard IOQ/PQ validation
- Worked with outside consultant to provide an implemented and very robust software package (Visual BASIC and macros) for a liquid handling robot (Tecan Genesis) and a Weighing Workstation (Bohdan AWS)
Instrumentation Associate
Axys Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
South San Francisco, California
01.1999 - 01.2000
- Oversaw development of expanding technological capabilities in the division
- Maintained in house equipment and robotics (Genevac Evaporator, Savant Concentrator, VIRTIS Tray Lyophilizers, Robbins Hydra Pipetting Robot and SCILOG Liquid Dispensing Pump)
- Initialized regular use of a CRS robotic arm to automate process partitioning product from a 96 well microtiter plate into alternate client plates)
- Presented poster at International Symposium on Laboratory Automation and Robotics (1999)
- Executed standard IOQ/PQ validation procedures on all purchased equipment to be in accordance with ISO 9001 requirements
Manufacturing Associate II
Axys Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
South San Francisco, California
01.1998 - 01.1999
- Oversaw the CSV for using a CRS robotic arm and other robotics to transfer finished product to a 96 well microtiter plate
- Served as validation project team leader to organize meetings and review SOPs to expedite the validation process for above project and organize tasks for the validation team
- Appointed as a first assistant to the production supervisor
- Trained inexperienced temporary workers on basic and specific skills of the production lab
Education
Bachelor of Science - Chemical Engineering
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
New York, NY05.1997
Skills
- Liquid handling automation
- Protocol development
- Validation Process Management
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Product development
- Process optimization
- Research and development
- Six sigma methodologies
- Equipment maintenance
- Multitasking Abilities
- Equipment installation
- Risk assessment
- Expertise in Hamilton Venus Programming
- Stakeholder relations
- Design of experiments
- Interpersonal skills
Peer Reviewed Publications
Examination of Rare Missense Variants in the CHRNA5-A3-B4 gene cluster to Level of Response to Alcohol in the San Diego Sibling Pair Study, Choquet, Hélène, Joslyn, Geoff, Lee, Andrew, Kasberger, Jay, Robertson, Margaret, Brush, Gerry, Schuckit, Marc, White, Ray, Jorgenson, Eric, Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 08/01/13
References
Available upon Request
Hobbies and Interests
- Digital arts, photography and Photoshop.
- Creating, editing, and producing podcasts for a variety of topics and interests.
- Outdoors activities including snowboarding, camping, baseball, kickball, and farmers markets.
Affiliations And Interests
- Safety Committee member, 1999-present
- Laboratory and Robotics Interest Group (member), 2000-present
- Emergency Response Team (ERT), 1999-2001
Continuing Education
- Biology, Chemistry, and Querying classes, IDBS ActivityBase (ABase) compound database system.
- Fundamentals of Visual BASIC, University of California Extension Program.
- Beckman Biomek Pipetting, Basic Methods programming, and Advanced Methods programming.
- Introduction to Project Management Principles and Practices.
- An Introduction to Interactive Programming in Python.
- Hamilton Venus Software Training I.
Timeline
Senior Automation Engineer
Foundation Medicine Inc
01.2020 - Current
Automation Engineer
BioSpyder Technologies
01.2017 - 01.2020
Senior Engineer, Sample Prep Automation
BioNano Genomics Inc.
01.2016 - 01.2017
Senior Automation Systems Engineer
SGI-DNA Inc.
01.2016 - 12.2016
Team Lead, Automation
SGI-DNA Inc.
01.2013 - 12.2016
Automation Systems Engineer
Synthetic Genomics Inc.
01.2012 - 01.2013
Senior Research Associate
Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center
01.2003 - 01.2012
Senior Research Associate
Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center
01.2001 - 01.2003
Instrumentation Technician
Chem Rx Advanced Technologies
01.2000 - 01.2001
Instrumentation Associate
Axys Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
01.1999 - 01.2000
Manufacturing Associate II
Axys Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
01.1998 - 01.1999
Bachelor of Science - Chemical Engineering
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
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