Austin R. Nelson
Palm Harbor
Summary
Laboratory Technician with expertise in protein and DNA synthesis, purification, and cell culture. Proficient in conducting and analyzing laboratory assays while adhering to stringent quality control standards. Strong operational knowledge of laboratory equipment, including troubleshooting and preventive maintenance. Proven track record of ensuring safety compliance and supporting team members in complex research tasks.
Overview
2
2
years of professional experience
Work History
OPS Laboratory Technician
McKnight Brain Institute, McKenna Lab – University of Florida
Gainesville
06.2021 - 07.2023
- 40 hours/week; extensive work with Adeno-Associated Viruses (AAV) of multiple serotypes, more specifically AAV1, AAV2, and AAV9
- Wet lab experience involving tissue culture of multiple mammalian cell lines for production of AAV capsids, DNA synthesis, mutagenesis and purification, several forms of viral purification such as Iodixanol gradients, AVB column, gravity-flow columns, testing such as qPCR, western blots, dot blots, DNA gels/gel extractions
- Experience with programs for structural biology such as Coot, PyMOL, Chimera, AlphaFold, cisTEM, as well as thousands of hours communicating and working with large language models including ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Grok, DeepSeek, and the llama series of models.
- Trusted with the direction and decision making of a multitude of long-term and short-term projects within the lab setting, including mass collection, interpretation and streamlining of data for presenting to the lab Principal Investigator
- Extensive training of fellow laboratory technicians, graduate students, and undergraduate students in all facets of the VLP production and creation process
- Furthered education by attending weekly scientific literature reviews, presented by University of Florida PhD students and faculty
- Performed purification of viral protein (1VP3) for Thermo-Fischer to use as standard
Education
Master of Science - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL05.2024
Bachelor of Science - Biomedical Science
University of South Florida
Tampa, FL05.2021
Bachelor of Arts - World Languages and Cultures, Concentration in East Asian Studies
University of South Florida
Tampa, FL05.2021
Specialized Organic Chemistry -
Uppsala University
Uppsala, Sweden05.2019
Specific education - East Asian Foreign Policy And Culture, History
Kansai Gaidai University
Hirakata, Japan12.2018
Skills
- Adeno-associated virus production
- Mammalian cell culture
- Viral purification techniques
- Quantitative PCR
- Western blot analysis
- Structural biology software
- Data interpretation
- Employee training
- Laboratory safety protocols
- Technical documentation
- Effective communication
- Team collaboration
- Problem solving
- Scientific literature review
- Gel electrophoresis
- Research and documentation
- Reagent preparation
- Titration techniques
- Scientific writing
- Biochemical assays
International Education
- Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden, 01/01/19, 03/01/19, Specialized Organic Chemistry 2, laboratory work 40 hours/week for 8 weeks
- Kansai Gaidai University, Hirakata, Japan, 09/01/18, 12/01/18, Specific education in East Asian foreign policy, culture, history, and martial arts (kendo)
Publications Patents
- Structural and functional characterization of capsid binding by anti-AAV9 monoclonal antibodies from infants after SMA gene therapy, Mario Mietzsch, Jane Hsi, Austin Nelson, Paul Chipman, Jenny Jackson, Peter Schofield, Daniel Christ, Joanne Reed, Neeta Khandekar, Grant Logan, Ian E Alexander, Robert McKenna, Molecular Therapy, 07/05/23
- Production and characterization of an AAV1-VP3-only capsid: An analytical benchmark standard, Mario Mietzsch, Weijing Liu, Ke Ma, Antonette Bennett, Austin R Nelson, Keely Gliwa, Paul Chipman, Xiaofeng Fu, Shane Bechler, Robert McKenna, Rosa Viner, Molecular Therapy-Methods & Clinical Development, 06/08/23
- Structural characterization of antibody-responses from Zolgensma treatment provides a blueprint for the engineering of an AAV capsid suitable for redosing, Mario Mietzsch, Austin R. Nelson, Jane Hsi, Jon Zachary, Lindsay Potts, Paul Chipman, Mohammad Ghanem, Neeta Khandekar, Ian E. Alexander, Grant J. Logan, Juha T. Huiskonen, Robert McKenna, Nature Communications, Accepted, unpublished
- UF Ref.: UF T18864WO001: AAV9 Capsid Variants Escaping Human Neutralizing Antibodies
Affiliations
- Former CNA certification, trained in first aid.
- Well traveled across the globe, primarily solo.
- passionate about martial arts with years of training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Kickboxing.
- Thousands of Hours testing, training and interacting with open source and closed source LLMs.
Timeline
OPS Laboratory Technician
McKnight Brain Institute, McKenna Lab – University of Florida
06.2021 - 07.2023
Master of Science - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
University of Florida
Bachelor of Science - Biomedical Science
University of South Florida
Bachelor of Arts - World Languages and Cultures, Concentration in East Asian Studies
University of South Florida
Specialized Organic Chemistry -
Uppsala University
Specific education - East Asian Foreign Policy And Culture, History
Kansai Gaidai University
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