CATHERINE NAVARRO CLETO
San Leandro,United States
Summary
Extremely detail-oriented and highly effective at keeping a laboratory running smoothly and efficiently. Knowledgeable about managing supplies, equipment and facilities. Pursuing new professional challenges with the opportunity to make a positive impact on laboratory operations and research success.
A skilled researcher enthusiastic about supporting advancements in yeast fermentation. Passionate about increasing knowledge to drive growth and needed improvements.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Research Associate, Fermentation
Antheia.Inc
08.2025 - Current
- Supported scientists with multiple pilot runs with parallel in house runs with preparation of media, media validations, chemicals, consumables and execution workflows.
- Planned, executed and programmed parallel in house runs using the AMBR250 bioreactor system for the first time under the supervision of the VP and director of scale up of fermentation.
- Supported media development efforts to minimize media components to decrease costs and improve down stream processing.
- Supported optical density alignments with in house and off site Cedex and Nanodrop readings.
Fermentation Research Associate III
Antheia.Inc
08.2022 - 08.2025
- Independently lead the design, execution, and analysis of shake flask experiments; results directly contributed to enhanced efficiency and outcomes across several projects.
- Lead shake flask seed builds and bioreactor scale-up from seed tank to production tank, optimizing setup and programming to ensure production efficiency and consistency.
- Assisted scientific team on parallel project fermentation pilot runs, contributing to successful process validation and enhancements across multiple initiatives.
Fermentation Research Associate II
Antheia.Inc
02.2021 - 08.2022
- An AMBR250 bioreactor platform lead responsible for training staff on system setup, teardown, programming, troubleshooting, and maintenance, as well as managing repair scheduling and consumable ordering to maintain reliable, efficient operations
- Leading the commissioning of an additional 24‑way AMBR250 unit while coordinating lab logistics, operational planning, and expansion activities
- Providing leadership and development for Fermentation Technicians and Research Associates, overseeing inventory and procurement of fermentation materials and coordinating preparation of batch media, stock solutions, and feed formulations
- Experience with planning, and execution of shake‑flask experiments for early‑stage development.
- Experience with chemostat bioreactor set up, tare down, sampling and coordinating workflows with team.
- Experienced in using LIMS for planning workflows, creating recipes, and coordinating tasks and laboratory operations
- Experienced in operating the Cedex Bio high‑throughput analyzer, including performing quality controls, calibrations, and routine maintenance
- Involved in batch media, feed, and resin experiments supporting fermentation process development
- Supporting the procurement team by managing fermentation‑specific ordering and driving process improvements, including implementing B2B punch‑out system integrations to streamline purchasing workflows.
- Supporting technical transfer and scale‑up fermentation operations through media preparation, procurement of required chemicals, and organization of COA certifications to ensure compliance and readiness.
- Facilitating department meetings to align planning efforts and drive improvements in operational workflow
- Skilled in simultaneously leading projects in accounting, lab operations, and fermentation, ensuring alignment, timely execution, and cross‑functional coordination.
- Organizing annual team‑building events, quarterly team lunches, and company‑wide celebrations to support culture and engagement.
Fermentation Research Associate I
Antheia.Inc
02.2020 - 02.2021
- Executing fermentation experiments and ensuring all runs remain within defined parameters throughout operation.
- Experienced in bioreactor setup, troubleshooting, and performing pH and feed‑pump calibrations for 1L systems.
- Maintaining accurate inventories of chemicals, stock solutions, batch media, and consumables, including timely ordering and replenishment.
- Validating new consumables by testing compatibility with existing lab equipment and workflows.
- Coordinating with the team to prepare stock solutions and batch media for all platforms, including 96‑well plate experiments and 250 mL, 1 L, and 20–30 L bioreactors.
- Contributing to stability testing and to the process development of new media, feed formulations, and stock solutions.
- Conducting OD readings and preparing samples for plate‑based analytical workflows.
- Assisting in small‑scale plate and shake‑flask experiments to support early‑stage process development.
- Knowledgeable in seeding vial strains and executing associated inoculation procedures.
Research Operations Associate
Antheia.Inc
01.2019 - 02.2020
- Managing procurement and receipt of consumables for scale‑up sites and cross‑functional departments.
- Updating on‑hand quantities in response to increased lab usage and creating standing orders across multiple vendors.
- Optimizing lab equipment organization and inventory management to improve workflow efficiency for scientists and research associates.
- Preparing liquid media, custom agar plates, buffers, precultured 96‑deep‑well plates, amino acid solutions, antibiotic stocks, and sterilized glassware to support daily lab operations.
- Collaborated on SOP creation and developed a comprehensive quality‑control tracking system for all in‑house agar plates and media to ensure consistency and compliance.
- Experienced in preparing chemically competent cells and validation to support protein and strain engineering workflows.
- Troubleshooting and maintaining diverse laboratory equipment to ensure reliable operation.
- Performing equipment decontamination and managing outbound shipments for preventative maintenance and repairs.
- Training staff on equipment protocols and instructing users on the proper operation of lab automation robots
- Managing contractor communication and coordination for equipment repairs and calibrations, ensuring timely service and minimal operational disruption
- Responsible for completing and maintaining monthly audit logs for eyewash and safety showers, fire extinguishers, and autoclaves to ensure safety and regulatory compliance
- Preparing seed cultures by inoculating flask media with yeast strains to support upstream bioreactor operations and ensure consistent fermentation performance.
- Producing control and complex batch media for all bioreactor platforms, ensuring consistency, sterility, and readiness for upstream fermentation operations.
- Executing full bioreactor workflows — including tank setup, harvesting, and turnover — across Sartorius, Finesse, Ambr250, and Solaris platforms to support high‑throughput and large‑scale fermentation operations.
Assistant Store Manager
The North Face
11.2017 - 01.2019
- Led daily operations and sales performance for a $13M store.
- Leading, training, and scheduling a workforce of 100+ employees across stock, sales, cashier, and merchandising teams.
- Improving employee performance through continuous coaching, counseling, and development‑plan‑based training.
- Consistently delivering exceptional, professional customer service.
- Processed and approved weekly payroll timesheets to ensure accurate and timely payroll.
- Sourcing, interviewing, and hiring candidates that support store and company goals.
- Leading new‑hire onboarding and delivering structured training to support successful employee ramp‑up.
- Maintaining organized, confidential personnel records for current and former employees.
- Supporting performance improvements through KPI tracking and reporting.
- Led the women’s department by analyzing business performance and optimizing merchandising according to stock levels to increase profitability.
- Performing biannual inventory counts of 300,000+ units to ensure precise stock accountability.
- Leading staff training on loss prevention protocols and managing store safety audit compliance.
- Reviewing and auditing daily receipt activity such as returns, exchanges, and gift card sales to ensure accuracy and compliance.
- Collaborating with local law enforcement agencies to prevent organized retail crime and enhance store security.
- Providing technical support by troubleshooting internet and POS system issues.
- Managing contractor workflows and scheduling work orders for store maintenance, facility upgrades, and remodeling projects
- Planning and coordinating team‑building experiences and community engagement events such as backpacking and volunteering.
Instructional Support Technician (Microbiology)
Cal State East Bay
12.2016 - 04.2017
- Ensuring continuous availability of consumable lab supplies through regular inventory checks, ordering, and restocking.
- Overseeing ordering and inventory control for laboratory materials, ensuring accurate tracking of locations, MSDS documentation, and reagent/stock expiration dates.
- Producing all media and lab solutions used in instructional exercises across introductory biology, microbiology, hematology, and medical microbiology.
- Consulting with faculty to define supply requirements and quantities for all laboratory sessions.
- Managing bacterial culture storage and maintenance, performing routine assessments of viability, phenotypic traits, and antibiotic sensitivities, and maintaining precise records of stock characteristics and locations.
- Ensuring availability of all sterile glassware required for laboratory instruction.
- Overseeing proper stocking, labeling, and NFPA‑compliant hazard identification for all laboratory chemicals and reagents.
- Overseeing compliant cleaning and disposal of biohazardous materials and maintaining satellite storage and waste accumulation sites according to safety standards.
- Overseeing care, calibration, and routine maintenance of microbiology lab equipment such as pH meters, microscopes, biosafety hoods, incubators, freezers, autoclaves, and refrigerators.
- Preparation of reference materials for labs (e.g. slides, diagrams, pictures, posters, news articles)
- Leading, training, and developing federal work‑study lab assistants and student volunteers to support daily laboratory operations.
- Coordinating preparation of lab practicals and assisting instructors throughout exam administration.
- Leading preparation for the annual biology department plant sale, including propagation, thinning, and transplanting of seedlings and managing heat and watering requirements for ~7,000 plants in the campus greenhouse, resulting in $2,500 in annual revenue.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Microbiology/Biomedical Lab Science & Chem (Minor)
California State University, East Bay
Hayward, CA2018
Skills
- Experienced in overseeing inventory and workflow processes that keep daily operations running smoothly
- Strong attention to details and troubleshooting skills
- Exceptionally adaptable to shifting priorities and evolving project needs
- Strong communicator with the ability to convey information clearly and effectively
Timeline
Senior Research Associate, Fermentation
Antheia.Inc
08.2025 - Current
Fermentation Research Associate III
Antheia.Inc
08.2022 - 08.2025
Fermentation Research Associate II
Antheia.Inc
02.2021 - 08.2022
Fermentation Research Associate I
Antheia.Inc
02.2020 - 02.2021
Research Operations Associate
Antheia.Inc
01.2019 - 02.2020
Assistant Store Manager
The North Face
11.2017 - 01.2019
Instructional Support Technician (Microbiology)
Cal State East Bay
12.2016 - 04.2017
Bachelor of Science - Microbiology/Biomedical Lab Science & Chem (Minor)
California State University, East Bay