DAMIAN EMERSON
Baltimore ,MD
Summary
Hardworking Chemical Engineer with experience in chemical processing and GMP environments. Driven and methodical individual with focus on developing and improving processes. Background providing engineering support for research and capital budget manufacturing projects.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Sr. Bioprocess Associate
Emergent BioSolutions
10.2021 - 04.2023
- Documented and completed downstream batch production records under current good manufacturing practices (cGMP)
- Worked on Manufacturing process improvement projects with goals of saving on in-process material usage and making process steps easier to complete by the operator.
- Technical familiarity with downstream processing equipment utilized for cell and gene therapy AAV product molecule purification; such as AKTA ready chromatography skids, crossflow/TFF systems, viral filtration, and bulk drug-substance(BDS) filtration
- Knowledge of Lean Six Sigma methods application to a cGMP environment
- Familiarity of the various phases of the traditional pharmaceutical drug development timeline and understands the importance of process development for establishing a robust process which increases the odds of successful clinical trials.
Manufacturing Associate II - Downstream Ops
Catalent Pharma Solutions
11.2020 - 04.2021
- Documented and completed downstream batch production records under current good manufacturing practices (cGMP)
- Technical familiarity with downstream processing equipment utilized for cell and gene therapy AAV product molecule purification; such as AKTA ready chromatography skids, crossflow/TFF systems, viral filtration, and bulk drug-substance(BDS) filtration
Process Engineer I - Process Development
Canon Virginia, Inc.
11.2018 - 11.2020
- Implemented a design change of a bio-process filter pore size which was able to increase the product yield from 60% to 75% with the same unit-operation cycle time.
- Issued technical reports which detailed progress of process optimization results.
- Implemented a variety of techniques to optimize changeovers and increase tangential flow filtration process capacity, which resulted in a 23% reduction in changeover time.
- Drafted standard operating procedures and training material for new analytical equipment and pilot- scale equipment used by operators.
- Interpreted and improved process flow diagrams which were used in determining preliminary process steps in mass producing protein product.
- Improved bio-process separator efficiency by optimizing equipment operating parameters such as flow-rate, temperature, and pressure
- Troubleshooted process equipment issues and successfully reduced overall process unplanned downtime by 8% by the end of fiscal year.
- Conducted cost estimates for capital project budget items (i.e analytical equipment and bulk chemical reagents).
- Issued RFQ's and procured new in-process equipment and laboratory analytical equipment from equipment vendors.
- Estimated in-process equipment throughputs by conducting mass balances around overall PFD using client product targets (i.e Tons product/yr).
- Conducted HAZOP risk assessments on process equipment and procedures to ensure safe practices.
- Engaged in patent research and completed Intellectual property training courses.
Research Intern
University of Maryland - Baltimore County
05.2017 - 08.2018
- Handled and processed large data files in MATLAB and Excel
- Analyzed ozone and particulate matter (PM 2.5) diurnal patterns in suburban Maryland to understand how different parameters such as humidity, temperature, and latitude affect pollutant concentrations
- Used a simulation model (WRF-chem), to make estimations on pollutant concentration levels in the future
Research Assistant
University of Maryland - Baltimore County
01.2017 - 05.2017
- Assisted chief engineer in designing and creating a custom low-cost aerosol sensor
- Cleaned and maintained equipment in good working order
- Recorded data and maintained source documentation while following good documentation practices
Education
Bachelor of Science - Chemical Engineering
University of Maryland - Baltimore County
Baltimore, MD05.2018
Skills
- Native english speaker Conversational proficiency in French
- Microsoft Office (Project, Excel, Visio, PowerPoint, and Word)
- Process design and equipment troubleshooting
- Time management, able to manage time adequately when working on a project or responsibility
- Technical writing, able to communicate clearly and concisely results in a written report
- Team collaboration, able to effectively work on a cross-functional team
- Multi-tasking
- Self- motivated
- Strong desire to acquire and learn new skills quickly
- Record Keeping
- Creative problem solving
- Effective oral communication
- Familiarity with ISO regulatory compliance standards
- Familiarity with GMP environments
- Data interpretation and analysis
Affiliations
- Member, American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), 2014 to Current
- Member, National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), 2013 to Current
Timeline
Sr. Bioprocess Associate
Emergent BioSolutions
10.2021 - 04.2023
Manufacturing Associate II - Downstream Ops
Catalent Pharma Solutions
11.2020 - 04.2021
Process Engineer I - Process Development
Canon Virginia, Inc.
11.2018 - 11.2020
Research Intern
University of Maryland - Baltimore County
05.2017 - 08.2018
Research Assistant
University of Maryland - Baltimore County
01.2017 - 05.2017
Bachelor of Science - Chemical Engineering
University of Maryland - Baltimore County
Similar Profiles
Bhupinder Wadhwa, PMPBhupinder Wadhwa, PMP
Head of HRIS / HR Systems Operations at Emergent BioSolutions, Inc.Head of HRIS / HR Systems Operations at Emergent BioSolutions, Inc.
Randa LaouarRanda Laouar
Quality Systems Specialist I at Emergent BioSolutionsQuality Systems Specialist I at Emergent BioSolutions
BHUPINDER WADHWA, PMP, MBABHUPINDER WADHWA, PMP, MBA
Head of HRIS / HR Systems Operations at Emergent BioSolutions, Inc.Head of HRIS / HR Systems Operations at Emergent BioSolutions, Inc.