MADISON SEARS
Rochester,MN
Summary
IT Technical Specialist with hands-on experience supporting laboratory systems, automation, and software updates. Brings VBA, Python, and PowerShell skills to refactor macros, write SOPs, troubleshoot hardware, and communicate IT changes clearly across technical and non-technical teams.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
Work History
IT Technical Specialist
Mayo Clinic
Rochester, Minnesota
05.2024 - Current
- Facilitated laboratory-wide upgrades which involved converting network drives to network locations, testing and implementing new software in preparation for Windows 11, and air-gapping high-risk instruments that required timely patient results
- Troubleshot, configured, and replaced computer hardware in the laboratory
- Monitored, created, and altered backup scripts for important patient data
- Communicated IT outages to laboratory staff, ensuring clear understanding of issues and updates in both verbal and written formats
- Served as a primary liaison between the IT department and the laboratory
- Presented major IT solutions to non-technical audiences
- Served as a teacher of IT concepts to laboratory members that were interested in learning more about coding and computer hardware
- Learned PowerShell and Python outside of the workplace to create watchdog and network mapping scripts
- Created projects in VBA to automatically program instrument batches, generate custom barcodes, and print assay labels
- Coordinated and authored SOPs for major macro implementations to standardize processes
- Assisted in consolidating and refactoring VBA macros for patient review, such as calculating the standard deviations in QC materials, performing blank contamination analysis, and removing invalid samples from transferring to the LIS
- Developed and performed unit testing strategies to test all facets of internally developed software
- Maintained organized records of high-risk computers during the Windows 11 upgrades to ensure compliance with the Office of Information and Security
Clinical Lab Technician
Mayo Clinic
Rochester, Minnesota
05.2023 - 05.2024
- Resumed contractor responsibilities
- Served as primary communicator for the IT Operations Team
- Assisted the IT Technical Specialist with VBA projects, such as Autosampler and Reproducibility spreadsheets and the Roche Inventory project
- Shadowed the IT Technical Specialist position to learn more about Excel, including Visual Basic for Applications macros, conditional formatting, and other useful features
- Contributed to Oral Fluids Validation Project by learning a new extraction process, troubleshooting and operating a Randox instrument, providing implementation feedback, training four coworkers, reviewing run data, and facilitating communication across multi-disciplinary teams
Clinical Lab Technician
Bahama Consulting & Contractor for Mayo Clinic
Rochester, Minnesota
01.2023 - 05.2023
- Performed confirmatory testing on liquid chromatography-tandem spectrometry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry platforms
- Operated, troubleshot, and maintained gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry instruments, ensuring optimal performance with technical specialist assistance
- Operated and troubleshot Hamilton instruments with technical specialist assistance
- Executed solid-phase extraction and liquid-liquid extraction for confirmatory testing
- Collaborated with team to identify and resolve extraction process issues, enhancing overall testing accuracy
- Utilized lab equipment such as pipettes and centrifuges
- Engaged with lab personnel to facilitate smooth workflow and strengthen communication across departments
- Navigated and Troubleshooted multiple computer systems and programs, such as Biochem and Excel
- Inputted clinical data accurately into Drug Screen and Roche spreadsheets for analysis
Education
Bachelor of Science - Biological Sciences
Arizona State University
Tempe, Arizona05-2022
Bachelor of Science - Neuroscience
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ05-2022
Skills
- Microsoft Excel
- Visual Basic for Applications (VBA)
- Python
- PowerShell
- Command Prompt (CMD)
- Word
- PowerPoint
- Teams
- Outlook
- GitHub
- Azure Devops
- Quantitative analysis
- Qualitative analysis
- Research design
- Strong written and oral communication
- Independent
- Project management
- Strong initiative
- Curious and fast learner
- Strong problem-solving and analytical thinking skills
- liquid-liquid extraction
- solid phase extraction
- Creative
- SOP writing
- Data backup
- Project coordination
- Attention to detail
- Emotional Intelligence
RESEARCH
- Thesis: Entrepreneurial Cosplay in The Witcher and Game of Thrones Fandoms
- Used Excel to code 341 social media posts for sexualization, violence, and empowerment
- Conducted research on the fantasy heroine, social media, entrepreneurship, and cosplay
- Constructed and submitted a methodology consistent with Internal Review Board regulations
- Wrote and presented consent forms to research participants via social media
- Performed mixed method analyses using SPSS crosstabs and virtual interviews
- Presented data at the Southwest Popular/American Culture Association Conference in February of 2022
- Published under Routledge in Entrepreneurial Cosplay (2023)
Timeline
IT Technical Specialist
Mayo Clinic
05.2024 - Current
Clinical Lab Technician
Mayo Clinic
05.2023 - 05.2024
Clinical Lab Technician
Bahama Consulting & Contractor for Mayo Clinic
01.2023 - 05.2023
Bachelor of Science - Biological Sciences
Arizona State University
Bachelor of Science - Neuroscience
Arizona State University