Summary
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Work Preference
Work Availability
Timeline
Affiliations
Interests
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CORNISHIA CHERRIE

Scientist
Boston,MA

Summary

Accomplished Biologist experienced in automation and larger integrated systems used for HTS (screening) and HTP (production). Provide strong troubleshooting ability to handle complex system failures. Work well cross-functionally to meet the needs and demands of the organization. Remain process and production focused to meet the needs of the customer. Experience covers Mammalian cell culture, high throughput screening, and assay development. Focused on programming end-to-end solutions with Robotic GUI for assay sample screening in biochemical and biological programs, coupled with strong troubleshooting abilities to manage complex workflows and system failures. Work well cross-functionally to meet the demands of the organization, remaining process and production-focused on meeting the customer's demands internally and externally.

Specialties: Automation science, Upstream Production, HTS platform screening 1536/384 well assay plates, liquid handling quality control, automated cell culture, cell culture, automated cell line development, RNAi, PCR, assay optimization, ELISA, Cell-based assay development, cell imaging, data management and analysis, people management

Work History

Senior Test Engineer II, Team Lead for HTS Assay Dev, HTS Operations, Lab lead

Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc.
11.2022 - Current
  • Coordinates production for engineered stains and mammalian assay
  • Process engineering: Optimize workflows for efficiency and scale up (streamline current workflows through design, build test cycle)
  • Microbial culture optimization
  • Microbial culturing for stain engineering
  • Protein purification and analytics
  • Operationalized services for protein purification and analytics: requirements gathering for method development and data output and data acceptance criteria, data visualization, and automatic analytics, build proposal, automation process validation, and bio validation
  • Improved software quality by designing and executing comprehensive test plans.
  • Integrated collected data into business process enhancements to address ongoing business goals.
  • Drafted detailed problem reports, defining factors such as system failure and data quality to aid in remedial efforts.
  • Implemented instrument and data quality control program with a dashboard viewer
  • Cross-functional team player for assay developers, transformation, OMICs analytics, and NGS: interact and coordinate requirements for sample transfer, transfer of assay protocols, and strain builds
  • Expand automation capabilities based on need and project delivery
  • Optimized and standardized workflows for better data integrity and shorter product delivery TATs. Deceased sample processing by 40%
  • Implement a quality control program for instruments and project data integrity
  • Continuous improvement: Lean and 5S compliant
  • Managed 3 operators across 2 shifts
  • Mentored junior test engineers, enhancing their skill sets and overall team performance.
  • Led failure investigations, on-site inspections, and root-cause analyses.
  • Laboratory management
  • Knowledge acquired: People management, Process engineering.

Scientist II, HTP Team Lead

GreenLight Biosciences
05.2021 - 10.2022
  • Responsible for production workflow to support Plant Health programs
  • Lead optimization of existing high-throughput workflows and sample production pipeline, including efforts to reduce TAT by increasing throughput and yields, and reducing COGs
  • Trained new employees in areas of technical expertise and compliance relevant to the general lab setting.
  • Led and implemented the long-term roadmap for the automation platform, including the development & validation of new high-throughput molecular biology automated pipelines by translating existing bench scale low throughput processes to high-throughput operations for both process development and production
  • Managed a team of operators and automation engineers to execute production campaigns and development efforts
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define priorities, schedule production runs, and coordinate transfer of materials to internal and external customers
  • Project management of HTP production runs and development activities, including training, production scheduling, data management/automation, reagent and consumable sourcing and inventory management, tracking QC data, and signing off on sample reports
  • Sequence validation managed g-block orders
  • Work with teams to oversee maintenance of all HTP team equipment, including creating maintenance protocols and calling for service and preventative maintenance
  • Provide technical mentorship and guidance to team members concerning troubleshooting and development work
  • Schedule planning for multiple projects with timelines
  • Automated experimental design includes programming various instruments and integrated robotic platforms
  • Sample tracking and some data analysis reporting
  • Managed multiple cell lines for various targeted therapies (mostly biologic, reporter cell lines)
  • Automated pre-validation and development studies modifying assay conditions and pipetting on the fly
  • Remote monitor systems to free up time for other lab tasks
  • Collaborate with therapy areas to effectively develop screening solutions
  • General lab maintenance and upkeep
  • Performed complex troubleshooting and assisted in leading initiatives to solve challenging scientific problems with assays or instrumentation.
  • Knowledge acquired: RNAi production, PCR, Southern/Northern blotting, aseptic techniques, people management, project management, Geneious user, Hamilton operation and basic training, KingFisher (large-scale purification system).

Scientist, Automated Biology

SANOFI US
11.2015 - 05.2021
  • Design, test and built screening workflow
  • Maintain automated workflow for Biologics Development Department, including screening, cell culture and record tracking, instrument maintenance, troubleshooting and repair
  • Performed complex troubleshooting and assisted in leading initiatives to solve challenging scientific problems with assays or instrumentation.
  • Automated experimental design that encompasses programming various instruments and method scheduler for integrated robotic platforms
  • High throughput screening of chemical and biological assays (compounds, Reporter Gene & HCS (high content imaging))
  • Implemented complete automated solutions for antibody and drug therapies for R&D, Immuno-Oncology, Rare Diseases, and immunology departments
  • Schedule planning for multiple projects with timelines
  • Sample tracking and some data analysis reporting
  • Managed multiple cell lines for various targeted therapies
  • Design, build and test validated automated screening solutions (modifying assay conditions and pipetting on the fly during validation process
  • Set up prescreening, screening, secondary screening solutions, and managed data output in Genedata Screener (Genedata)
  • Remote monitor systems to free up time for other lab tasks
  • Collaborate with therapy areas to in order to effectively develop and streamline screening solutions
  • General lab/equipment maintenance and upkeep
  • Knowledge acquired: Protein production and screening, design of experiment, cell line development, cell culture, cell banking, antibody mechanism of action (internalization), cell imaging, aseptic techniques.

Supervisor, Automation Engineer

BRISTOL-MYERS-SQUIBB, Co.
12.2012 - 10.2015
  • Managed automated cell line development (CLD) workflows for manufacturing preparation
  • Oversaw daily operations, ensuring smooth workflow and timely completion of tasks.
  • Performed cross-functional collaboration with the Molecular Analytics, Platform Development, and Analytical groups
  • Implemented and managed scheduling for multiple projects and multiple workflows to support CLD
  • Implemented a qualified QC Program to manage and clean cell culture environments.
  • Validated and performed quality control checks on media and cell culture
  • Automated systems operation, maintenance, troubleshooting and programming
  • Method optimization and robot teaching
  • Authored SOPs for lab maintenance and upkeep, system method operation, system maintenance, and QC
  • LIMS development and integration team for Automation and CLD: Supports custom robot integration, calendar, and scheduling system events along with reports generation and sample tracking
  • Managed lab supplies
  • Knowledge acquired: Mammalian cell culture in a sterile environment, microbial testing, management, LIMS design, and implementation.

Scientist I, Assay Operations

MERCK RESEARCH LABS (Schering-Plough Corp.)
01.2007 - 07.2012
  • Coordinate HTS screening efforts between Assay Operations and multiple therapy groups
  • This process includes management of compound deliveries, compound plating, assay submission along with support for cell and enzyme-based assays
  • Performed weekly screening on assays transferred from the In vitro pharmacology department
  • Key objectives were to increase efficiency and maintain data quality by automating manual efforts
  • Tasked with weekly screening of Hepatitis C multiple gene targets and supported Reptaq assays (PCR) for HCV project
  • Analyze large data sets in ADA or ActivityBase and transfer them to an E-book or ELN
  • Provided support for converting assays from 384 to 1536-well density
  • Coordinated maintenance schedules with vendors and performed routine maintenance as needed
  • Implemented a standardized Quality Control (QC) process to validate performance of liquid handlers
  • Developed calibration processes for liquid handlers and plate readers
  • Troubleshooting mechanical and script language errors associated the robot operations including liquid transfer during screening
  • Expert, administrator, user, and programmer for the Thermo Scientific Dimension4 Modular Automation Platform with Polara scheduler software, BiomekFXp, BenchCel, Envision reader (with TRF Laser), Flipr Tetra reader, ViewLux reader, ViiA7 PCR reader (some use), BioRaptr liquid handler, Echo550 (acoustic non-contact dispenser), Multidrop Combi liquid handler, and Vspin
  • Managed raw data entry into a central database and performed statistical analysis
  • Knowledge Acquired: HTS support, Hit Confirmation/Lead Optimization/Lead Identification, Assay troubleshooting, enzyme kinetics, cell-based assays, Fluorescence-based assays, Fluorescence Polarization assays, Luminescence assays, Aequorin and agonist/antagonist assays for the FliprTetra.

Associate Scientist II

MERCK RESEARCH LABS (Schering-Plough Corp.)
01.2002 - 01.2007
  • Training and hands on experience with cell-based fluorescence and luminescence assays utilizing the FLIPR384/FLIPRTetra, and biochemical assays utilizing Absorbance, Fluorescence Intensity, Fluorescence Polarization, HTRF, Luminescence and AlphaScreen technologies
  • In a dual role functioned as liaison between the automation and assay development groups
  • Primarily validated assay efficacy on modular automated equipment before transitioning to fully automated systems.

Associate Scientist I

MERCK RESEARCH LABS (Schering-Plough Corp.)
01.2000 - 01.2002
  • Responsible for compound plating for all HTS assays
  • Designed and implemented a scheduling system to ease bottlenecks in the HTS process
  • Stream-lined a QC data management system and consolidated data to one local database
  • Coordinated assistance from in-house software developers and outside vendors to streamline data capture, resulting in data processing time decreases
  • Implemented a database management system to track samples screened through various therapeutic assays
  • Assisted in integrating various robotic systems with PTS, i.e., the CRS F3 robot arm and Tecan Genesis to perform serial dilutions for the Compound Management Group
  • Delivered software programs for sample preparation of IC50 confirmation samples using Tecan Genesis RSP150 System
  • Operated and troubleshot CCS Packard Plate Track System (PTS), Minitraks, and Protedyne HTS systems.

Associate Scientist (contractor)

WARNER LAMBERT, CO. (A division of Pfizer, Inc.)
01.1998 - 01.2000
  • Responsible for assay development and screening of antimicrobial agents using Kill Kinetics, ATP Bioluminescence, and MIC (major inhibitory concentration) assays.
  • Maintained anaerobic chambers for oral microorganism cell culture and aerobic incubators for yeast and other obligate aerobes
  • Prepared routine media for growth characterization and maintenance of bacteria, fungus, and yeast cultures
  • Prepared reagents and mouthwash formulations for antimicrobial testing to support the Listerine projects
  • Followed strict SOPs for freezing and storing batch cultures
  • Researched patents, medicinal, and metabolic claims on active ingredients used in product formulations
  • Developed and validated a novel Luciferase detection assay, using Millipore, for screening purposes, significantly increasing assay reproducibility, and reducing assay time
  • Programmed software for the Tecan liquid handler to support HTS screening
  • Maintained bacterial, fungal, and yeast cell lines
  • Gained knowledge of marketing strategies and collaborated on clinical studies for product brand claim support.

Education

Master of Science - Immunology And Genetics

Tuskegee University
Tuskegee, AL
08.1998

Skills

  • Automated Biology
  • Test case design
  • Problem-Solving
  • Test Automation Frameworks
  • Root Cause Analysis
  • Data Analysis
  • SQL knowledge
  • Project Planning
  • Performance Testing
  • Test Automation
  • Quality Control
  • GUI programming
  • Cross-Functional Teamwork
  • People Management

Certification

  • CM - Certified Manager Certification (Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc. Boston, MA)
  • GNF Plate Washer I and II (Cambridge, MA)
  • GNF GUI interface (integrated workflow design and implementation for screening (GUI programming) (Cambridge, MA)
  • ECHO 555/550, Operation and software training (LabCyte (Becman))
  • Win::Prep, Software Training (Perkin-Elmer)
  • Yellow Belt Certified, Lean SixSigma (Merck Corp., Rahway, NJ)
  • Certified Envision Software Administrator (Turku, Finland)
  • Advanced Instrument Programming training for the BiomekFXp/NX, Beckman Coulter (Jersey City, NJ)
  • Certified Tecan Genesis RSP150 System Operator and Software Administrator (Raleigh, NC)
  • Hamilton, software training (Medford, MA 2021)
  • Bravo, Agilent Technologies (Kenilworth, NJ)
  • Dimension4 Modular Automation Platform with Polara software, ThermoScientific
  • FLIPR Tetra training (Kenilworth, NJ)
  • Radiation Safety Users training


Work Preference

Work Type

Full Time

Work Location

On-SiteRemoteHybrid

Important To Me

Company CultureCareer advancement401k matchFlexible work hoursWork from home optionStock Options / Equity / Profit SharingPersonal development programsWork-life balanceHealthcare benefitsTeam Building / Company RetreatsPaid time offPaid sick leave4-day work week

Work Availability

monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Timeline

Senior Test Engineer II, Team Lead for HTS Assay Dev, HTS Operations, Lab lead

Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc.
11.2022 - Current

Scientist II, HTP Team Lead

GreenLight Biosciences
05.2021 - 10.2022

Scientist, Automated Biology

SANOFI US
11.2015 - 05.2021

Supervisor, Automation Engineer

BRISTOL-MYERS-SQUIBB, Co.
12.2012 - 10.2015

Scientist I, Assay Operations

MERCK RESEARCH LABS (Schering-Plough Corp.)
01.2007 - 07.2012

Associate Scientist II

MERCK RESEARCH LABS (Schering-Plough Corp.)
01.2002 - 01.2007

Associate Scientist I

MERCK RESEARCH LABS (Schering-Plough Corp.)
01.2000 - 01.2002

Associate Scientist (contractor)

WARNER LAMBERT, CO. (A division of Pfizer, Inc.)
01.1998 - 01.2000

Master of Science - Immunology And Genetics

Tuskegee University
  • CM - Certified Manager Certification (Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc. Boston, MA)
  • GNF Plate Washer I and II (Cambridge, MA)
  • GNF GUI interface (integrated workflow design and implementation for screening (GUI programming) (Cambridge, MA)
  • ECHO 555/550, Operation and software training (LabCyte (Becman))
  • Win::Prep, Software Training (Perkin-Elmer)
  • Yellow Belt Certified, Lean SixSigma (Merck Corp., Rahway, NJ)
  • Certified Envision Software Administrator (Turku, Finland)
  • Advanced Instrument Programming training for the BiomekFXp/NX, Beckman Coulter (Jersey City, NJ)
  • Certified Tecan Genesis RSP150 System Operator and Software Administrator (Raleigh, NC)
  • Hamilton, software training (Medford, MA 2021)
  • Bravo, Agilent Technologies (Kenilworth, NJ)
  • Dimension4 Modular Automation Platform with Polara software, ThermoScientific
  • FLIPR Tetra training (Kenilworth, NJ)
  • Radiation Safety Users training


Affiliations

LRIG Laboratory Robotics Interest Group

Interests

Working out

Movies

Home: small building projects

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CORNISHIA CHERRIEScientist