Gelareh Rahbari
Bethesda,MD
Summary
Experienced project manager skilled in end-to-end project lifecycle management, from planning and requirements gathering to execution and reporting. Proven success in federal and commercial sectors with expertise in strategic planning, risk management, and stakeholder communication to achieve project goals within budget and scope. Detail-oriented with a proven track record in overseeing project lifecycles, including planning, business analysis, requirements gathering, data analytics, quality assurance, security compliance, and deployment in high-pressure environments. Adept at managing multiple initiatives simultaneously to deliver results on time and within scope. Expert in project management methodologies, with a strong ability to navigate complex procedures and regulations. Highly skilled in risk mitigation, strategic planning, and driving process improvements to enhance operational efficiency and deliver successful project outcomes.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Support Contractor Project Management
Noblis
12.2022 - Current
- Company Overview: Support Contractor Project Management (Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of University Program (OUP) department of Science and technology)
- Lead and manage two DHS Centers of Excellence—CIRI and SENTRY—overseeing 35 high-impact research projects annually with a focus on resilience, infrastructure security, and emergency response
- Responsible for strategic oversight, ensuring project alignment with DHS objectives, and driving measurable improvements in preparedness and infrastructure protection
- Direct multi-disciplinary research projects to ensure technical performance, budget compliance, and timely delivery
- Lead center teams to achieve key milestones in alignment with OUP terms and goals
- Address missed deadlines or deliverables by proposing corrective actions to maintain project momentum and quality
- Assess and enhance center performance by reviewing semi-annual and annual reports, evaluating deliverables, measuring key performance metrics, and tracking timelines to provide data-driven insights
- Deliver comprehensive feedback and recommend actionable improvements to drive project success and alignment with program objectives
- Foster collaborative relationships with key government stakeholders, including CISA, FEMA, and DOD, leveraging connections across related projects and engaging through Board of Directors and stakeholder support networks
- Maintain clear communication with comprehensive quarterly and monthly status reports, keeping all parties informed and engaged on project progress and objectives
- Experienced project manager with expertise in the full project lifecycle—from planning and requirements gathering to execution, reporting, and successful transition into the market and organizational components
- Resolve challenges proactively to ensure smooth project execution and continuity
- Portfolio Management: Maintain and update a comprehensive project portfolio, detailing descriptions, outcomes, funding vehicles, and stakeholder engagements to showcase the Centers’ contributions to DHS’s mission
- Use this resource to highlight project outcomes and impacts to stakeholders, private entities, the Board of Directors, and DHS components
- Research and Innovation Leadership: Drive innovation within CIRI and SENTRY by exploring cutting-edge methodologies, leveraging research to tackle complex challenges, and contributing expertise to enhance DHS’s emergency preparedness and resilience efforts
- Implemented project tracking and reporting through MS Project, internal check-ins, and monthly updates of quad charts to improve visibility of project milestones and resource allocation
- Support Contractor Project Management (Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of University Program (OUP) department of Science and technology)
Project Coordinator
American Institution for Research
09.2018 - 12.2022
- Create and maintain the operational project schedule across all functional areas including content and item development, internal system rollouts, and client deliverables
- Monitored and tracked timely completion of project scope, resource, and deliverables
- Maintained substantive knowledge of different systems information and the flow of information from one system to another; such as Test Delivery System, Test Distribution Engine, online Reporting System, and Airways Reporting System
- Ensured assessment configuration specifications are completed accurately, on time, and per the client’s specifications by conducting internal User Acceptance Testing (UAT) prior to each system go-live
- Supported the day-to-day overall program management effort
- Worked with client to explain future requirements and implication to the different systems in the company/ develop different strategies to client
- Created quarterly progress report to the client to evaluate and execute changes in operation to ensure maximum effective service provision
- Managed creation and maintenance of system user guides, manuals, SOPs, training power points
- Troubleshot and resolved complex client-facing issues
- Identified opportunities to improve business and recommending solutions that deliver value to stakeholders
- Took meeting minutes, prepared meeting agenda, communicated with client to identify project requirements, scope and objective
- Participated in project activities, meetings and design and proposed improvements if necessary
Associate Scientist-Quality Control (QC)
Meso Scale Discovery (MSD)
05.2020 - 09.2021
- Primarily responsibility was to coordinate the technical transfer of assay from R&D to quality control (QC), developing and implementing efficient process to release and disposition products
- Analyzed the result validation data of protein-based immunoassay in support of reagents and assay development
- Presented QC data and findings to Quality Control (QC), Product Control (PC), and Product Development (PD) for scientific review on a daily basis after testing
- Supervised the documentation evaluation for those assay and ensured documentation was in compliance with ISO standards
- Investigated and troubleshot QC non-conformances before release
- Provided scientific review and documentation for non-conformances in the Non-Conforming Material Report (NCMR)
- Updated and reviewed product specification
- Responsible for training and development of laboratory personnel and analyst
- Reviewed and edited SOPs
Project Manager
KoushanPharmed Development & Manufacturing
09.2013 - 08.2018
- Responsible for technology transfer, manufacturing process, control strategy, process validation approach and ongoing continual improvement between development and manufacturing, and within manufacturing sites
- Oversaw process development and data review across different phases of development studies such as granulation, compression, coating and packing
- Troubleshooted technical issues and proposed solution
- Conducted data analysis of stability tastings for different excipients and active substances and made recommendations based on findings
- Managed project cost by financial forecasting
- Guided and managed team members through the design implementation process of different drug development and production procedures
- Managed ordering and calculated amount of raw materials needed for production based on forecasted production plan
- Ensured GMP and regulatory compliance were maintained
Study Analyst
Covance Contract Research Organization
01.2013 - 08.2013
- Responsible for managing and maintaining client relations to deliver drug development data and create technology solutions for clients in order to help them to identify new approaches and anticipate challenges
- Developed and analyzed statistical data to coordinate the decision-making process
- Performed different types of ELISA immunoassays, analyzed and interpreted data
- Ensured that studies are conducted in accordance with GLP and cGMP standards and adhering to the study protocol and relevant Covance SOPs
- Coordinated cross-functional team activities to ensure adherence to deliverables and timelines
- Documented work and maintained study documentation and laboratory records according to the GLP regulations
Lab Assistant Supervisor, Neurotrauma Research Lab
Navy Medical Research Center
03.2010 - 01.2013
- Responsible for performing various tasks to support the laboratory process and procedures from receiving and technical processing in collaboration with the Laboratory Supervisor
- Performed data analysis with the assistance of the supervisor
- Responsible for maintenance and calibration of Rotem, Stago, and chemistry analyzer
- Created and delivered weekly project status report to the team in PowerPoint presentation about lab results bi-monthly
- Reasonable for writing and reviewing many SOPs
- Performed and analyzed results of ELISA immunoassays such as TAT, NGAL, IL-18 and FABP1 ELISA
Education
MBA: Master of Business Administration -
American University
Washington, DC05.2020
Master of Science - Biotechnology/Concentration In Regulatory Affairs
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD01.2012
Bachelor of Science - Biological Science
University of Maryland - College Park
College Park, MD01.2010
Skills
- Power and hand tool operation
- Worksite safety
- Superb management skills
- Project estimation and bidding
- Residential construction specialist
- Residential construction
Personal Information
Citizenship: US Citizen
Timeline
Support Contractor Project Management
Noblis
12.2022 - Current
Associate Scientist-Quality Control (QC)
Meso Scale Discovery (MSD)
05.2020 - 09.2021
Project Coordinator
American Institution for Research
09.2018 - 12.2022
Project Manager
KoushanPharmed Development & Manufacturing
09.2013 - 08.2018
Study Analyst
Covance Contract Research Organization
01.2013 - 08.2013
Lab Assistant Supervisor, Neurotrauma Research Lab
Navy Medical Research Center
03.2010 - 01.2013
MBA: Master of Business Administration -
American University
Master of Science - Biotechnology/Concentration In Regulatory Affairs
Johns Hopkins University
Bachelor of Science - Biological Science
University of Maryland - College Park
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