To build on past supervising roles and grow management experience in a challenging environment in the health sector. Utilize experience and personal skills to manage skilled teams and help to ensure the most efficient and high-quality workflow in the laboratory environment, while providing the highest patient care.
Mentor, train and supervise laboratory personnel in equipment, existing and new protocols, software upgrades & process flows; planning, assigning and directing work
Use laboratory knowledge to identify and resolve laboratory operational issues
Manage preclinical and development projects throughout project and work closely with the Project Manager to ensure timelines are being met
Interact with all levels of internal/external sources to resolve problems
Work with the Director of Laboratory Operations to develop, coordinate and enforce policies, procedures and productivity standards
Ensure lab compliance with accrediting agency regulations, e.g CLIA and CAP
Maintain accurate and up-to-date laboratory documents and LIMS systems; track work and progress using data management tools
Provide technical guidance, resources and support to employees/management
Provide coaching, mentoring and leadership to the team/laboratory staff; appraising performance; addressing complaints and resolving problems of employees.
Cultivated positive rapport with fellow employees to boost company morale and promote employee retention.
Defined clear targets and objectives and communicated to other team members.
Established performance goals for employees and provided feedback on methods for reaching those milestones.
Supervisor
HudsonAlpha Clinical Services Lab
Huntsville, AL
04.2017 - 06.2023
Oversee day-to-day operations of the Clinical Services Lab and testing personnel, including coordination of operations between laboratory sections to ensure quality testing
Engage with senior lab staff in implementing the quality management program, pre-validation studies, new assay validation, and business processes including maintenance of accreditation and licensing
Develop and execute robotics scripts for workflow efficiency
Monitor overall lab quality metrics including test volume, turnaround time, and proficiency testing
Work with the Lab Director to ensure that lab processes are aligned with best practices and comply with regulations
Participate in inspections of CAP accredited laboratories
Train and participate in daily wet bench workflow in order to maintain turn around time
Yearly reviews of direct reports on performance
Plan and participate with organization and implementation of brand new laboratory, including design, layout, purchasing of new equipment, validations and verifications.
Supervisor
Almac Diagnostics
Durham, NC
09.2015 - 09.2016
Responsible for the delivery of commercial and clinical trial projects to our customers, as well as Almac RUO projects
Oversee execution of complex molecular based assays using a combination of traditional bench work and state-of-the-art instrumentation such as the Affymetrix gene expression platform, the Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer, Life Technologies QuantStudio, and Qiagen Qiagility liquid handling system
Assist in the setup of all new laboratory activities including commissioning and validation of new equipment, ordering of reagents and consumables, monitoring system for all refrigerators and freezers
Develop written SOP's, as well as laboratory forms for more efficient workflow
Conduct validation studies including precision and interfering substances for ADx MEK inhibitors
Supervise laboratory activities and manage workflow of team including: daily scheduling, planning training, conducting competency tests for seven technologists, and provide support to high level QC maintenance; monitoring of workflow, prioritizing commercial production needs, following high priority cases and leading QC/QA efforts
Work directly with PM's in order to meet strict timelines for project completion
Collaborate with QA manager/Lab Director to prepare laboratory for CLIA/CAP accreditation.
Supervisor
Sequenom
Morrisville, NC
07.2013 - 09.2015
Responsible for overseeing the day to day functions of Sequencing modules supporting the MaterniT2 I diagnostic test utilizing Illumina based NGS of cell-free fetal nucleic acid; and analysis of the relative amount of trisomy 21, 18, 13, as well as X and Y chromosomal material
Evaluate laboratory needs and managed daily laboratory operations including the oversight of eight Laboratory Technologists
Making decisions at a high complexity level for Sequence analysis
Implement team building exercises to ensure optimal communication, workflow and efficiency with team members
Optimize laboratory schedules for best workflow and production
Responsible for laboratory team recruiting, interviewing and selection of new hires, and performance reviews of laboratory staff
Resolve conflicts/counsel individuals on corrective actions/performance improvement goals
Conduct daily huddles and monthly meetings to communicate updates or troubleshooting within the lab team
Write and update SOP's relevant to Sequencing modules; requires collaboration with counterparts in San Diego for standardization of testing at both locations
Participate in Lean Six-Sigma, Green Belt Certification, Supervisory Leadership and Genealogics (Clarity LIMS) training
Participate in LIMS software updates/upgrades, performed verification and validation testing, identify/document bugs that were found in the process, and assisted during launch and release of new software updates
Project lead on Reagent Management and Idea Board, for cost savings initiatives and process improvement for patient care; considering relative costs/benefits of department decisions to choose most appropriate way to implement change; create Kanban system for optimizing reagents/consumables.
Molecular Technologist, Anatomic Pathology
Rex Healthcare
Raleigh, NC
11.2008 - 03.2013
Perform infectious disease testing using various methodologies
Responsible for specimen accessioning, processing, testing, reporting and archiving
Perform quality control procedures and monitor quality assurance programs to ensure the accuracy of patient results
Supervise and train new employees
Participate in evaluating, developing, standardizing new technologies
Review and modify procedures as needed
Use relevant knowledge to keep up to date with new technologies and maintain compliance with CLIA/CAP regulations
Operate and maintain all equipment in the molecular lab for proper performance
Certified CAP inspector
Inventory and ordering of reagents and supplies.
Senior Technologist, Molecular Oncology
Labcorp
RTP, NC
05.2006 - 11.2008
Analyze patient samples for gene mutations in colon cancer and leukemia, interpret and report quantitative and qualitative test results
Conduct extraction and purification of RNA from blood and /paraffin-embedded tissue, subsequent cDNA production
Target amplification using multiplex PCR and Real-Time PCR
DNA sequencing using ABI 3750 Automated Capillary DNA Sequencer
Work with pathologists to isolate tumor and non-tumor tissue for microsatellite instability and 18q deletion testing in colorectal cancer.
Senior Technologist, Molecular Genetics
Labcorp
RTP, NC
10.1999 - 07.2005
Test patient samples for inherited genetic diseases, ensuring efficient turn-around times for patient result reporting
Conduct extraction and purification of genomic DNA from blood and amniocentesis samples
Experience with DNA mutation detection using Southern Blots with radioactive probes, agarose and polyacrylamide gels
DNA quantification for PCR using DNA spectrophotometry
Assist in the development of Standard Operating Procedures, validation of laboratory tests, training of laboratory personnel, maintaining monthly statistics and quality control data
Support trouble-shooting with Qiagen and Tecan instrumentation.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Health Science -
State University of New York
05.1998
Skills
Operations Management
Strategic Planning
Schedule development
Inventory Control
Process Monitoring and Improvement
Training and mentoring
Employee Motivation
Goal-Oriented
Next generation sequencing
Clinical trials
CAP/CLIA
MS Office
Good Laboratory Practices (GLP)
HIPAA Compliance
Equipment Troubleshooting
Liquid handling instrumentation
Multitasking Abilities
Team Collaboration
Attention to Detail
Procedure Proficiency Tests
Laboratory Information Systems
Assay development
Publications
Reducing Sanger confirmation testing through false positive prediction algorithms, Holt JM, Kelly M, Sundlof B, Nakouzi G, Bick D, Lyon E, Genet Med, 07/01/21, 23, 7, 1255-1262, 10.1038/s41436-021-01148-3, 33767343
Global Senior Director of Sales, Preclinical In-Vitro Solutions at Discovery Life SciencesGlobal Senior Director of Sales, Preclinical In-Vitro Solutions at Discovery Life Sciences