DILEK UYSAL
Lakeland,Florida
Summary
Persistent leader eager to lead and grow organizations with over 15 years of experience in innovation, product development and management. Skilled in strategic planning, problem-solving, and communication with good understanding of business principles, project management and team leadership. Innovative with 11 granted US patents and 3 pending. Collaborative with relentless work ethic.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Technology Officer
Zthru Inc
08.2021 - Current
- Managed hardware and software engineering team along with product design and manufacturing to launch Wearable RFID reader
- Directed software engineering for development and launch of cloud-based SaaS system to monitor sensor data from multiple devices with range of sensors for food and pharmaceutical applications
- Managed company-level architecture, platform and data configuration processes and implementation protocols
- Directed hardware engineering team for development and launch of 2 new multi sensor BLE 5.2 devices decreasing cost by 50% per device and doubling performance resulting in 10+ years of battery life
- Supported current and emerging programs through interactions with high-level customers, business partners and external vendors
- Hired and managed employees to maximize productivity while training staff on best practices and protocols
- Collaborated with cross-functional intra-company teams to provide mutually beneficial outcomes
- Maintained high-level knowledge of current and emerging technology development and applications
- Directed 3 R&D projects: new sustainable (biodegradable) RFID tag as a replacement of METRC LLC's current tag platform and 2 unique multi-sensor tags for robust industrial applications
Vice President of Research and Development
METRC LLC
01.2020 - 08.2021
- Launched 2 Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Tags: BLE Sensor Tag and BLE Logger
- Designed and directed both hardware and software development of low cost, disposable and waterproof BLE temperature and humidity tracking devices
- Established manufacturing process of devices by finding vendors and suppliers for production of devices in overseas
- Managed certification process to mitigate regulatory risks and safety regulations for devices including NSF for food safety for development of the only BLE temperature tag on the market that can directly contact food
- Directed software engineers for development of mobile apps utilizing BLE sensors
- Worked with hospitals/heath care providers for development of temperature tracking BLE device for blood and tissue
- Increased company growth through collaboration with sales and marketing departments by redesigning straps and making them recyclable while lowering production cost 25%
- Identified opportunities to improve business process flows and productivity
- Evaluated product development strategies and prepared alternative approaches to achieve company objectives
- Worked closely with universities and R1 research institutions to develop innovative sensor and control technologies
Director of Product Development and Engineering
Franwell Inc
01.2012 - 01.2020
- Invented patented tagging system for company’s core application resulting in $50M annual revenue
- Designed, developed, and directed manufacturing of plastic plant straps
- Reduced production cost of straps and labels 66% initially and later by an additional 54%, saving company more than $2M annually by redesign and set up of higher quality and more efficient manufacturers.
- Managed development of Battery Assisted RFID Tag using Agile and Jira
- Designed and directed development of recyclable Battery Assisted UHF tag with an embedded algorithm to calculate freshness of produce based on measured temperature data
- Invented, designed, and directed development of proof-of-concept e-paper display with passive backplane placed on edge of a shelve replacing standard price tags for retailers
- Worked with NIOSH (National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health) for development of wearable RFID reader and system to track miners inside
RFID System Developer and Analyst
Franwell Inc
05.2008 - 01.2012
- Invented and managed product launch of the world's first wearable RFID reader from design to production to certification including FCC SAR
- Worked on various RFID technology implementation projects
- Tested and analyzed different RFID systems including NFC technology for different industries including pharmaceutical, air cargo, apparel, and food
Post-Graduate Researcher
University of Florida Center for Food Distribution and Retailing
12.2007 - 05.2008
- Collaborated with top 20 pharmaceutical companies on a range of projects including Pfizer and AbbVie
- Provided training sessions to industry professionals
- Worked on different RFID Technology applications to prepare test protocols for projects funded by industry and different federal agencies
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Florida
05.2005 - 12.2007
- Worked with McKesson, AbbVie and American Red Cross to analyze the placement of RFID tags on pharmaceutical products during distribution
- Invented and designed a sealed tote that enables scanning of each product inside the tote without human intervention for the security and integrity of distributing pharmaceutical products
Graduate Teaching Assistant
University of Florida
01.2005 - 01.2007
- Taught “Package Decoration” course in department of Packaging Science at University of Florida for 2 academic semesters
Education
CORe Credential of Readiness -
Harvard Business School Online
02.2022
Master of Science - Food Science
University of Florida
05.2007
Master of Science - Packaging Science
University of Florida
05.2007
Bachelor of Industrial Design -
Orta Dogu Teknik Universitesi
06.2003
Skills
- Innovation
- Product strategy and management
- Cloud-based environments
- Roadmap execution
- Agile development
- KPI tracking
- Cross-functional team leadership
- Market research
- Product design
Patents
US9449266B2 - Granted 2016, US8674810B2 - Granted 2014, US10509927B2 - Granted 2019, US9217907B2 - Granted 2015, US9933683B2 - Granted 2018, US9959438B2 - Granted 2018, US10474854B2 - Granted 2019, US10474855B2 - Granted 2019, US10402607B2 - Granted 2019, US20200050809A1 - 2019, WO2020102669A1 - 2019, WO2019109087A1 - 2017, Serial No. 63/152,548 - 2021
Awards
- Best in Show Finalist - RFID Journal Live | 2009, 2010, 2011, 2020 | Wearable RFID Reader
- Specialty Crop Federal Grant - US Department of Agriculture (USDA) | 2020
- Dean’s Honor List - University of Florida | 2005, 2006, 2007
- International Center Award for Excellency - University of Florida | 2005, 2006, 2007
- Ranked in top 0.1% among 1.5M students - University entrance exam in Turkey
Timeline
Chief Technology Officer
Zthru Inc
08.2021 - Current
Vice President of Research and Development
METRC LLC
01.2020 - 08.2021
Director of Product Development and Engineering
Franwell Inc
01.2012 - 01.2020
RFID System Developer and Analyst
Franwell Inc
05.2008 - 01.2012
Post-Graduate Researcher
University of Florida Center for Food Distribution and Retailing
12.2007 - 05.2008
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Florida
05.2005 - 12.2007
Graduate Teaching Assistant
University of Florida
01.2005 - 01.2007
CORe Credential of Readiness -
Harvard Business School Online
Master of Science - Food Science
University of Florida
Master of Science - Packaging Science
University of Florida
Bachelor of Industrial Design -
Orta Dogu Teknik Universitesi