Lauren J. Butterworth, PhD
Summary
I am a reliable hard-working professional with a strong background in academic research and some industry experience. My area of study is biochemistry and molecular biology with expertise in protein science, and DNA replication mechanics/ genome integrity. My proven ability to independently and collaboratively conduct impactful research projects highlights my ability to contribute meaningfully to any team. I have a tenacious spirit, fast-learning nature, and consistent focus on achieving project goals. I'm proficient in organization, communication, and leadership. I believe that my skills, background, and enthusiasm for discovery make me a strong candidate. I am confident that my experience and capability in designing and troubleshooting methodologies will allow me to support any group successfully.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Graduate Research Assistant
Trakselis Laboratory, Baylor University
08.2020 - 08.2025
- Probed unknown mechanisms between E coli replisome enzymes through interdisciplinary in vitro and in vivo methods. Derailing enzyme communication caused severe phenotypic cellular deficits and genomic consequences. This work contributed significantly to the current understanding of replisome regulation and genomic stability.
- Managed multiple research projects simultaneously, ensuring timely completion and led manuscript preparation, contributing to the publication of influential articles in peer-reviewed journals and Contributed to the development of research proposals, securing funding for critical projects.
- Presented research findings at conferences and at departmental meetings, fostering professional growth and collaboration among peers and within the academic community.
Lab Manager
Trakselis Laboratory, Baylor University
06.2023 - 05.2025
- Maintained the overall organization of the lab facility; kept equipment maintained, facility clean, and organized & updated our databases to store information on protocols, general stocks, chemicals, vectors, primers, and substrates. This job required diligence and significant attention to detail.
- Managed inventory and ordered laboratory supplies (Quartzy), utilizing tracking for efficient resource allocation, and requested quotes from manufacturers, negotiating cost-effective procurement of lab equipment and supplies without sacrificing quality.
- Mentored undergraduate and junior graduate students, providing guidance on research methodologies, techniques, and data analysis processes. Helped guide decision-making offered helpful insights and motivation when they felt lost/ overwhelmed.
Director of Organizers, Executive Team
Baylor University
05.2023 - 05.2025
- Managed a group of 50 graduate students who participated in STEM outreach events. Our mission was to educate and inspire young people, especially girls and underrepresented minorities, to pursue careers in science.
- Coordinated connections between the members of Present Your PhD (PyPhD), our STEM outreach organization, and community leaders in the Greater Waco area, to give talks on their research or create hands-on activities to showcase their work. I enjoyed participating as well!
Teaching Assistant
Baylor University
09.2020 - 05.2021
- Assisted biochemistry and general chemistry lab coordinators by helping with weekly prep and grading.
- Checked notebooks to ensure students were prepared for lab, gave a brief overview and demonstration of the experiment, supervised undergraduates while working, answered questions, and guaranteed the safety of 12-30 students throughout a 2-3 hour lab period three times a week.
Purifications Chemist
Cambridge Isotope Laboratories
10.2018 - 07.2020
- Enhanced product quality of crude synthetic material by developing and optimizing chemical processes and procedures, bringing hundreds of chemical products to greater than 99% purity (i.e using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), crystallizations, distillations, and silica gel column separation)
- Managed multiple projects simultaneously and independently, prioritizing efficiently and meeting all deadlines making sure to maintain proper lab notebook record keeping
- Worked under GMP regulations and upheld safety, i.e. conducting thorough risk assessments for laboratory procedures and chemical handling.
Formulations Chemist
Cambridge Isotope Laboratories
06.2018 - 10.2018
- Manufactured neonatal screening kits under GMP regulations in compliance with ISO 13485.
- Formulated single and multi-component environmental reference standards, primarily polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), in compliance with ISO 17025 and ISO 13485.
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Framingham State University
08.2017 - 05.2018
- Determined the phenolic content of green and black tea and their byproducts by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to identify the phenolic phytochemical makeup of these teas.
- Explored the mechanism of the tea by-products and phenolic constituents relevant to the inhibition of the carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzyme Alpha-glucosidase, to determine if tea was a good product for the treatment/prevention of type-2 diabetes.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy - Biochemistry
Baylor University
Waco, TX08.2025
Bachelor of Science - Chemistry
Framingham State University
Framingham, MA05.2018
Skills
- In vitro (quick-change) & in vivo (CRISPR λ red) cloning
- PCR, vector editing, primer and substrate design
- Western Blotting, Bio-Rad Trans-blot Turbo System
- Enzyme interaction; pull-down assays
- recombinant protein expression, chemical and mechanical cell lysis
- Cell culturing, bacterial (E coli)
- FPLC protein purification, AKTA; Unicorn method programming
- High performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
- Fluorescent and 32P activity assays
- Running large polyacrylamide sequencing gels
- Kinetics; whole replisome (13-enzyme complex) reconstitutions
- Band intensity analysis; ImageQuant software
- Fluorescence microscopy, ImageJ quantification
- Multicolor FACS & FlowJo software analysis
- Novel fluorescent DNA damage detection assays
- Statistical analysis and complex fit modeling in Excel and GraphPad
- BioRender, Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator
- ELN Record keeping, Benchling
- Experience: Mammalian cell culture and standard aseptic technique, LC-MS and tandem mass spectrometry
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
Conference Travel Awards:, Helicase and Nucleic Acid-Based Machines, Gordon Research Conference (GRC), "Power Puff Chemist" Award for always coming to the rescue., Learning Assistant program, Outstanding Graduate Research Productivity Award, Baylor University Chemistry & Biochemistry Department, "Best Team Collaboration" Award, 1st Annual PyPhD Undergrad Mentorship Program., Feature in Baylor University’s Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) spotlight series., Dean’s List at FSU
Timeline
Lab Manager
Trakselis Laboratory, Baylor University
06.2023 - 05.2025
Director of Organizers, Executive Team
Baylor University
05.2023 - 05.2025
Teaching Assistant
Baylor University
09.2020 - 05.2021
Graduate Research Assistant
Trakselis Laboratory, Baylor University
08.2020 - 08.2025
Purifications Chemist
Cambridge Isotope Laboratories
10.2018 - 07.2020
Formulations Chemist
Cambridge Isotope Laboratories
06.2018 - 10.2018
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Framingham State University
08.2017 - 05.2018
Doctor of Philosophy - Biochemistry
Baylor University
Bachelor of Science - Chemistry
Framingham State University