Laksmi Castro
Summary
Motivated research associate with expertise in molecular biology and microbiology. Contributed to the successful launch of new ATCC products and proactively troubleshot molecular products, enhancing both product quality and operational efficiency.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Lead Biologist
ATCC
Manassas
06.2024 - Current
- Aided in launch of new ATCC products, including qUMDK and 2 in 1 RNA constructs.
- Troubleshoot current ATCC molecular products, such as D-5 and ddPCR items.
- Create and edit documents to reflect new techniques and technologies.
- Assisted BioProduction and Molecular QC with various tasks.
- Participate in Assay Validations, Assay Verifications, and Engineering Studies.
- Executed any project assigned to me, for example, addition of new cell lines to genotyping project and production of Mouse STR allelic ladder.
Senior Biologist (MLTS)
American Type Culture Collection
Manassas
11.2020 - Current
- Collaborated with multiple departments on the LOCUS project.
- Included PCR and gel analysis of various plaque purified phage stock.
- Participated in TAPESTATION validation.
- Included ability to have proper pipetting technique.
- Troubleshooted Ribogreen assay using Qubit.
- To determine the cause of high CV% value resulting from samples failing.
- Room Champion of L222.
- Included equipment maintenance and supplies stock.
- Participated in interdepartmental meetings.
- Took over internal human STR freeze comparison and baseline analysis.
- Included weekly meetings with supervisor to verify baselines.
- Gained proficiency in ddPCR for DQ items.
- Gained proficiency in qPCR and RT-qPCR for SD items.
- Gained proficiency in qCRM batch records.
- Trained incoming and senior biologist to take over Mycoplasma detection.
- Assumed responsibility for managing TRAP service operations.
- R&D TRAP positive and negative control RNA extraction.
Associate Biologist, MLTS
American Type Culture Collection
Manassas
05.2019 - 11.2020
- Quality Control review of cell lines/batch records.
- Metrics include 96% correct the first time submitted.
- Nucleic acid quantitation using various platforms.
- Aseptic handling of cell lines in BSL 2.
- Extracted nucleic acids from bacterial and DNA tissue cultures using automated platforms.
- Utilize Sanger Sequencing to determine and verify sample identity in order to maintain quality standards of synthesized materials.
- Upkeep of the bacterial library for accurate sample identification and verification.
- Execute Mycoplasma detection for external clients using PCR.
- Quality Control verification of ATCC Mycoplasma Detection Kit reagents.
- Handling of cryopreserved specimens.
- Analyzed, interpreted, and reported data by Quality Control Standards.
- Review of SOP and Work Instructions.
- Maintain department databases.
- Maintain and order lab supplies.
- Performed lab instrument validation.
- Multitasked the run of multiple assays on a weekly basis.
Associate Scientist I/ Clinical-Sub Investigator
Microbac Laboratories Inc.
Sterling
02.2018 - 04.2019
- Participated in antimicrobial efficacy of sanitizers, both high and low-level disinfectants, against various bacteria, all under EPA and FDA regulation.
- Developed written protocol for efficacy testing to include: Dilation Test, Germicidal Spray Test, and Germicidal Towelette Test.
- Documented data analysis and wrote final reports.
- Performed propagation of ATCC dried cultures.
- Updated and revised Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Maintained daily laboratory logs.
- Prepared media and reagents under GCP, GLP, and cGMP regulation.
- Conducted pre-operative skin scrub under Good Clinical Practices.
- Establish consent and schedule clinical trial participants.
- Execution of Mycobacterium tuberculosis efficacy testing.
- Responsible for the daily upkeep of microorganism transfers and breakouts.
Lab Aid/Associate (Internship)
Quest Diagnostics
Chantilly
05.2018 - 07.2018
- Collected and organized specimens from various departments for testing.
- Sorted specimens according to test and department.
- Set up machinery for Medical Technician.
- Maintained specimen logs (SDS and Overview).
- Assisted in the Serology, Autoimmune, and IFA departments to support testing processes.
Assistant Scan Coordinator/Vendor Receiver
Harris Teeter Supermarkets Inc.
Gainesville
08.2016 - 05.2018
- Coordinated price tags, price changes, and daily audit paperwork for store departments to ensure compliance and accuracy.
- Conducted store scans across multiple regions to ensure accurate inventory tracking.
- Monitored and organized inventory supplies, invoices, and receipts daily, providing timely reports for effective inventory management.
- Received, validated, and inspected merchandise to maintain quality standards and accuracy in inventory records.
Education
M.S. - Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
George Mason University
12-2022
Career Certificate - Biotechnology Lab Technician
Northern Virginia Community College
08-2018
B.S. - Biology, Minor in Chemistry
Virginia Commonwealth University
08-2016
Skills
- Poly-acrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE)
- DdPCR to identify gene copies
- QPCR to quantify nucleic acids
- RT-qPCR
- PicoGreen/RiboGreen
- Sanger Sequencing
- Qiagen QIAquick Purification Kit
- Agarose Gel Electrophoresis
- Gel Extraction
- Telomerase Repeat Amplification
- Mini-Prep DNA/Plasmid Purification
- Restriction digest
- Spectrometry
- NEBcutter
- Bradford Assay
- SDS-Page
- Western Blotting
- ELISA
- Column Chromatography (HIC and Gel Filtration)
- Extraction of DNA and RNA
- Pipette recertification yearly with a Accuracy of under 2% and precision of 08%
- MicroSeqID
- CodonCode Aligner
- Genemapper
- Nucleotide and protein BLAST
- Embnet (LALIGN and TMpred)
- ENDMEMO
- Sequence Manipulation Suite (SMS)
- Excel
- Photoshop
- TapeStation
- Qubit
- Victor Plate Reader
- Veriti Thermal cycler
- BioRad Thermal cycler
- Qiagen EZ1 Advanced XL
- ABI 3500 xL
- BioRad Droplet Generator and Reader
- BioRad C1000 Thermal cycler
- S aureus
- S enterica
- P aeruginosa
- E coli
- MRSA
- MRSE
- VRE
Timeline
Lead Biologist
ATCC
06.2024 - Current
Senior Biologist (MLTS)
American Type Culture Collection
11.2020 - Current
Associate Biologist, MLTS
American Type Culture Collection
05.2019 - 11.2020
Lab Aid/Associate (Internship)
Quest Diagnostics
05.2018 - 07.2018
Associate Scientist I/ Clinical-Sub Investigator
Microbac Laboratories Inc.
02.2018 - 04.2019
Assistant Scan Coordinator/Vendor Receiver
Harris Teeter Supermarkets Inc.
08.2016 - 05.2018
M.S. - Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
George Mason University
Career Certificate - Biotechnology Lab Technician
Northern Virginia Community College
B.S. - Biology, Minor in Chemistry
Virginia Commonwealth University