Anita Louise Harrell
Moncure,NC
Summary
Dynamic Biosafety Manager with a proven track record at BASF, specializing in seed quality assessment and team training. Expert in regulatory adherence and efficiency improvement, demonstrated through successful biosafety program management across North America. Skilled in fostering collaborations and driving significant process enhancements, with a keen focus on achieving excellence in biosafety and seed management.
Overview
43
43
years of professional experience
Work History
North America Biosafety Manager
BASF Seed & Trait
02.2018 - Current
- Chair quarterly biosafety groups including North/South American Biosafety Community of Practice, and local RTP Biosafety Team meetings
- Perform Biosafety Risk Assessments for RTP, Lubbock, and other labs/greenhouses as required for RC audit compliance
- Perform annual Biosafety Inspections for lab, greenhouse, and growth chamber areas in RTP
- Maintain Vector Platform database
- Manage the Biosafety Program ensuring new biosafety related projects for all North American sites are reviewed and a risk assessment is completed before work begins
- Provide input in the design and construction of new labs, greenhouses, trait development, and breeding stations to comply with BASF, regional, local, and state biosafety requirements
- Develop, write, and verify compliance with standard operating procedures for all North American sites to ensure consistency across the region
- Write Plant Biosafety Data Sheets for crops to share critical biological information
- Assure ongoing USDA/APHIS compliance for all greenhouse compartments and laboratories including arthropod and plant pathology areas
- Annually inspect, report findings, and follow up on corrective actions for multiple sites in North America
- Develop and implement training programs including, Biosafety for lab, greenhouse, and support staff, also, BSL2 training, field biosafety, autoclave use and compliance
- Translated all applicable biosafety trainings to German, French, Portuguese, and Spanish and made them available to global users
- Liaison between BASF and USDA/APHIS regulators
- Partner with Biological Movement Group to ensure compliance with shipping and exporting biologicals and lab equipment
- Work in partnership with EHS representatives to comply with BASF, local and state regulations
- Communicate and interact with greenhouse and laboratory managers daily to resolve biosafety issues
- Perform site wide safety functions (Medical Emergency Response Team member and leader, Ergonomics Team, Site Safety Steering Committee, First Aid Team leader and trainer)
Biosafety Officer/Seed Archivist
BASF Plant Science
07.2014 - 02.2018
- Inventory Management: Managed transgenic and non-transgenic seed inventory and logistics to ensure timely delivery to customers
- This role included submitting, maintaining, and retrieving seed samples and implementing a tracking system that reduced inventory discrepancies
- Seed Testing: Conducted thorough seed germination and viability tests to assess seed quality before distribution
- This process ensured that only the best seeds were released, improving overall crop performance
- Quality Control: Established and formalized BASF standards for preparing and storing archive seed including threshing, drying, and packaging
- Developed and implemented rigorous quality control protocols to ensure that all seeds met internal standards
- Programed, maintained, monitored archive seed coolers and seed dryers
- Collaboration and Data Management Skills: Worked closely with IT group to improve and adapt a LIMS database and create an advanced data management system for seed storage and tracking needs
- This resulted in enhanced decision-making capabilities and increased operational efficiency
- Training and Development: Conducted training sessions for new employee orientation, worker protection standard, and seed handling and storage best practices
- This initiative significantly improved team performance and reduced errors
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensured all seed production activities complied with federal and state regulations
- This diligence minimized the risk of fines and enhanced the company’s reputation for quality
- Chaired safety groups including RB Responsible Care Team, Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), Site Biosafety Committee (BSC)
- Planned/led RB safety meetings
- Performed Quarterly Biosafety Audits for lab, greenhouse, and growth chamber areas
- Performed site wide safety functions (Hazmat Incident Command, Medical Emergency Response Team member and leader, Ergonomics Team, First Aid Team lead and trainer)
- Maintain safety data for RB including safety meeting attendance, new employee information, IBC, BSC
Senior Associate Scientist/Transgenic Seed Specialist
BASF Plant Science
09.2003 - 06.2014
- Seed Handling and Preparation: Threshed, counted, packaged, tracked, and sampled seed varieties based on quality parameters
- Prepared samples for shipping and planting groups
- Programed, maintained, monitored research growth chambers, seed coolers, and seed dryers
- This diligence ensured that only the highest quality seeds were provided to customers
- Process Improvement: Identified areas for process improvement in seed handling and storage
- Implementing these changes resulted in an increase in seed shelf life
- Collaboration: Worked closely with research scientists to assess seed performance and recommend improvements
- This collaboration led to the development of a seed inventory system that met the needs of BASF Plant Science
- Laboratory Testing: Participated in laboratory testing of seed samples to determine moisture content and percent germination
- This critical testing contributed to improved quality assurance measures
- Documentation: Maintained LIMS transgenic and non-transgenic databases to ensure accurate records of seed batches and test results for compliance and traceability
- This documentation streamlined audits and enhanced regulatory adherence
- Performed site wide safety functions (Hazmat Incident Command, First Aid Team Leader, New Employee/Worker Protection Training, RB Responsible Care Team)
- Performed at team level in stewardship, safety, and biosafety programs
Greenhouse Manager
BASF Corporation (BPS Greenhouses)
09.2001 - 09.2003
- Maintained/monitored research greenhouses and growth chambers
- Conducted herbicide tolerance experiments
- Performed site wide safety functions (Hazmat, First Aid Team Leader, New Employee Training)
- Planned/coordinated contractors for greenhouse construction
Research Associate
BASF Corporation, Biology Department – Plant Growth Regulators
08.1986 - 08.2001
- Conducted field research in turf, cotton, soybeans, peanuts, corn, and orchard crops
- Conducted greenhouse research in multiple field and orchard crops
- Conducted safety inspections and meetings
- Received US Patent for Cotton Defoliant
- Assisted in development of experimental compound into registered compound (Apogee)
Plant Breeding Assistant
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, USA
12.1981 - 07.1986
- Packaged seed for field and greenhouse testing
- Maintained field and greenhouse experiments
- Performed soybean crosses
Education
Bachelor of Science - Botany
North Carolina State University
Associate of Science -
Lenoir Community College
Skills
- Seed Quality Assessment
- Seed Germination Testing
- Data Analysis
- Inventory Management
- Regulatory Adherence
- Field Trials Oversight
- Efficiency Improvement
- Customer Technical Assistance
- Experimental Procedures
- Equipment maintenance
- Team Training and Development
- Project Management Skills
References
Available upon request
Patents
Methods and Compositions to Defoliate Crop Plants and Minimize Plant Regrowth Following Defoliation, Evans J.R., Evans R.R., Harrell A., Stewart W.W., King D., US Patent No: 6,562,758 B1, 2003
Certificateslicenses
- NC Ground Pesticide Applicator
- Hazmat Technician
- Hazmat Incident Command
- Principles and Practices of Biosafety Course
- NC Emergency Medical Technician
Timeline
North America Biosafety Manager
BASF Seed & Trait
02.2018 - Current
Biosafety Officer/Seed Archivist
BASF Plant Science
07.2014 - 02.2018
Senior Associate Scientist/Transgenic Seed Specialist
BASF Plant Science
09.2003 - 06.2014
Greenhouse Manager
BASF Corporation (BPS Greenhouses)
09.2001 - 09.2003
Research Associate
BASF Corporation, Biology Department – Plant Growth Regulators
08.1986 - 08.2001
Plant Breeding Assistant
North Carolina State University
12.1981 - 07.1986
Bachelor of Science - Botany
North Carolina State University
Associate of Science -
Lenoir Community College
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