Jill Riggs
Brighton,TN
Summary
With over thirty years of experience working with in-vivo research models, my goal is to leverage my strongest assets to align with the strategic plan and ultimately advance the mission of St. Jude. I am pursuing a role that presents professional challenges in the realm of research experimentation, critical thinking skills and leadership. I have a proven track record of supporting the integrity of research studies and data collection, while balancing that with the ethical treatment of laboratory animals and fostering a safe working environment. I am fully dedicated to the refinement of research practices through the application of rigorous methods and refinements thereby enhancing the credibility of our work. I am an experienced leader adept at managing complex projects and groups of people while ensuring high standards. During my twenty year tenure at St. Jude, I have built strong working relationships with at least eleven core units and service providers, maximizing institutional resources. I am a "super-user" of Workday with over one hundred online modules used for job training and continuing education resources, increasing staff access to training, improved communication, work consistency, and productivity. Teaching comes naturally, and I take pleasure in elevating the skills of those around me in the name of great research and boosting employee morale. These strengths improve collaboration and open up a wider range of opportunities for scientific advancements at St. Jude. Lastly, my Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification equips me with enhanced problem-solving skills that I use to contribute to organizational improvement, employee satisfaction, and cost reduction.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
Work History
ARC Training Manager
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Memphis, TN
06.2019 - Current
- Management of multiple online learning platforms; Lucidoc document management, CITI Program, ALL, Articulate, Venngage, Survey Monkey, LAWTE, MS Forms, Adobe, Excel, Word, PP, Workday
- Development of SharePoint event tracking and root cause analysis system to monitor and improve the performance of animal care
- Instructor of an array of classroom-led training and conducts more than two hundred in-vivo lab training using over thirty different animal procedure types annually
- Lead St. Jude graduate student rotations to work with in-vivo models
- Author of a comprehensive training program and the development of a comprehensive departmental safety training program
- Review of Cayuse animal protocols and use of VOLT for research staff training documentation
- Manager and trainer of rodent aseptic techniques training program
- Manager and trainer of cesium 137 and x-ray irradiators
- Management of ARC website content for training services
- Facilitated AALAS certification of forty+ ARC employees
- Organize and edit training manuals, thirty-plus e-courses, and over fifty visual aids
- Communicate learning and performance objectives, schedules, and training assessments to upper management
- Improve compliance with industry regulations through the development and delivery of specialized compliance training programs
- Collaborate with department heads to align training programs with organizational goals, ensuring relevancy and impact
- Conduct training needs analysis and target effective training solutions
ARC Training Coordinator
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Memphis, TN
01.2004 - 01.2018
- Developer of intensive rodent surgical training program
- Designed and instrumental in the development of Access database containing all ARC training activities
- Development of employee onboarding experience, annual mandatory training modules, and job training programs
- Author of more than fifty SOPs, SOP committee facilitator, development of ARC SOP training programs
- Oversight of security and facility access
- Development of FOM, EVS, construction and visitor training
- Development of 'Designated Trainer Program'
- Monitored and evaluated training metrics
- Identified skill gaps and addressed through targeted training
- Refinement of animal procedures
- Management of ARC website content via SharePoint
- Voluntary ARC departmental safety coordinator for 20+ years
Manager, Animal Welfare & University Compliance
University of Missouri Saint Louis
St. Louis, MO
01.2002 - 01.2004
- Managed operational budget and personnel salary and job activities
- Manage issues related to University compliance with state and federal regulations for animal and human subjects research
- Inspection, maintenance, and renovation of three physical plants
- Led facility inspections for annual USDA, semi-annual IACUC, and one AAALAC accreditation visit
- Preparation of USDA, AAALAC, and IACUC program documents
- Ad hoc member of IACUC, assistant to IRB and IACUC Chairs
- Establishment of database to manage over 100 approved experimental protocols
- Implementation of a per diem system to recover over $10,000 in facility expenses for previous and current fiscal years
Research Technician – Pharmaceutical Research & Development
Pfizer
Chesterfield, MO
01.1996 - 01.2002
- Facilitated R&D of pharmaceuticals conducting in-vivo studies through animal care, conducting technical procedures, and facility operations
- Conducted daily health assessments and treatments of large in-vivo studies with various species: rats, mice, rabbits, dogs, guinea pigs, hamsters, and aquatic frogs
- Preparation and participation in twelve IACUC, two AAALAC, six safety, two FDA and USDA visits/inspections
- Managed facility animal health surveillance/sentinel programs including recordkeeping, sample collection and review of reports
- Trainer of animal dose administrations and blood collection techniques, necropsies, and surgical procedures
- Laboratory Animal Technician of the Year Award 1998
Research Technician – Agricultural Toxicology (Safety Assessment)
Monsanto
St. Louis, MO
01.1991 - 01.1996
- Efficacy and safety assessment of BST and other GLP in-vivo studies involving regular quality assurance assessments, calibration of equipment, preparation of dose administrations, dose administrations, and measurement of tumors and body weights
- GMP studies, mass spectrophotometry, and bench-top chemistry
- Led chronic, sub-chronic, and acute toxicological studies, and inhalation studies
- Validation of computer programs with IT for data collection
- Cross-trained in histology/necropsy laboratories
- Board member for AALAS activities and director of the canine tattoo clinic/National Dog Registry
- Nominated for AALAS Animal Care Award 1995
- Increased employee safety awareness as a member of the safety committee and liaison for OSHA and Monsanto safety programs
Education
Master Business Administration -
Union University
Germantown, TN Satellite01.2009
Bachelor Science - Biology/Chemistry Minor
University of Missouri Saint Louis
St. Louis, MO01.2000
Skills
- In-vivo experimental procedures
- Training specialist
- Leadership skills
- Regulatory compliance
- Project management
- Solution-oriented thinker
- Clear verbal and written expression
- Process improvement
Certification
- Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Goleansixsigma.com, May 2022
- Certified Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt, Goleansixsigma.com, January 2021
- Certified Manager of Laboratory Animal Resources - ICPM and AALAS, January 2011
- Certified Laboratory Animal Technologist LATG - AALAS, January 2004
- Certified Laboratory Animal Technician LAT - AALAS, January 1998
- Certified Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician ALAT - AALAS, January 1990
Timeline
ARC Training Manager
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
06.2019 - Current
ARC Training Coordinator
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
01.2004 - 01.2018
Manager, Animal Welfare & University Compliance
University of Missouri Saint Louis
01.2002 - 01.2004
Research Technician – Pharmaceutical Research & Development
Pfizer
01.1996 - 01.2002
Research Technician – Agricultural Toxicology (Safety Assessment)
Monsanto
01.1991 - 01.1996
Master Business Administration -
Union University
Bachelor Science - Biology/Chemistry Minor
University of Missouri Saint Louis