Matthew Price
Summary
Public Health Research Scientist with a strong background in conducting both routine and non- routine bioanalytical and microbiological analyses of clinical and environmental samples. Proven expertise in designing and implementing standard operating procedures using best practice methods and quality control metrics. Excellent analytical, critical thinking, and quantitative skills with experience directing and troubleshooting laboratory equipment used for molecular assays. Strong communicator and collaborator, skilled in presentation composition, communications knowledge, and engaging, fluent stakeholder presentations. Committed to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and supporting environmental conservation, specifically in racially and economically marginalized communities.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Microbiologist III
Massachusetts Department Of Public Health
2022.01 - Current
- Served as interim Division Supervisor for Wastewater and Microbial Sequencing Departments from July 2023-January 2024, which included implementing and designing standard operating procedures, monitoring supply inventory, maintaining precise records and training junior staff on complex molecular testing methods.
- Routinely operate droplet digital-PCR and quantitative-PCR laboratory equipment to process environmental and clinical samples for SARS-CoV-2 target genes and suspected positive isolates for Carbapenem-resistant organisms (CRO) including Enterobacterales, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter.
- Collaborate with other state public health laboratories, Association of Public Health Laboratories, as well as U.S Centers for Disease Control to disseminate research findings to ensure completion of grant program requirements.
- Oversee data management within laboratory information system, including sequencing results, and collaborate with bio- informaticians for in-depth analysis of SARS-CoV-2 and CRO trends to determine public health outcomes for mitigation efforts.
- Currently track and manage budgets within grant-funded projects, ensuring the efficient allocation of resources. Additionally, I ensure all grant-related actions meet regulatory and legal requirements.
- Reduced contamination risk by maintaining a sterile laboratory environment and adhering to safety protocols.
- Scheduled and trained technical staff members.
Clean Energy Coordinator
Adirondack North Country Association
2021.04 - 2022.09
- Certified municipal compliance with all federal, state, local, and corporate environmental regulations and requirements pertaining to green-energy projects, including, but not limited to certifications, funding, documentation, regulatory reporting, and training
- Sustained partnership with state regulators from NYDEC and NYSERDA, local government officials, and regional clean energy contractors
- Promoted clean energy projects by engaging with local stakeholders to carry-out, and raise cognizance of NYS grant channels, while also aiding in grant submission process
- Collaborated in sustainability and public policy departments of NYS government, along with continued work promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, as defined by 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act
- Managed development, design and execution of energy conservation projects awarded to local municipalities by New York State through ongoing Clean Energy Communities and Climate Smart Certification Programs
- Organized workshops, seminars, and training sessions to educate employees and stakeholders about the benefits of clean energy and energy conservation
- Facilitated $80,000 of NYS grant funds to local economies through implementation of NYS Clean Energy Communities Program.
- Entered data, generated reports, and produced tracking documents.
- Improved team productivity with regular communication and progress updates, fostering a collaborative work environment.
Doctoral Research Fellow
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
2016.08 - 2020.12
- Analyzed environmental stormwater samples using culture and molecular (Ex. Quantitative-PCR and droplet digital-PCR) enumeration methods following NC and US EPA protocols in the detection of indicator bacteria and viruses following US EPA's 2012 Recreational Water Quality Criteria and Methods document.
- Led research team of approximately 5-8 individuals to perform specimen acquisition, and initiate sample analysis using sound scientific practice and technical skills following US EPA Methods 1601, 1602, 1611 and 1642.
- Performed statistical regression, standard deviation and coefficient of variation calculations on large-scale database to analyze relationships between bacteriological and viral indicators with environmental conditions.
- Efficiently managed time and budgetary resources and effectively communicated research findings to project funding organizations, NOAA, and Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC), along with state and local governmental partners and private stakeholders including the Town of Beaufort Stormwater Advisory Committee.
- Maintained routine communication with research supervisor, doctorate committee and lab manager on status of projects and conformance with roles and responsibilities as established for the project goals.
- Shared research findings with the public, policymakers, and other stakeholders concerning the presence of pathogenic microorganisms or indicators of environmental contamination in recreational surface waters.
- Worked closely with faculty advisors on developing focused dissertation topics that addressed gaps in existing literature while aligning with personal interests.
- Adapted to new technology tools as needed for efficient data management or presentation purposes.
- Mentored junior researchers, fostering an environment of professional growth and academic excellence.
- Applied advanced statistical methods for rigorous data analysis, uncovering significant trends and correlating variables in complex datasets.
- Maintained detailed records of experimental procedures, facilitating transparency and reproducibility of results.
- Established direct lines of communication with professors and supervisory staff and communicated necessary information where applicable.
Analytical Scientist
Integrated Pharma Solutions
2015.08 - 2016.08
- Oversaw day-to-day operations of analytical laboratory, ensuring optimal resource allocation, equipment maintenance, and supply inventory.
- Analysis including performing 'wet chemistry' tests on compounds that included colorimetry, gravimetry and titrimetry.
- Skills involved routine operation of HPLC, GC and FTIR laboratory equipment in product analysis.
- Consulted with risk management, internal audit, and employee services departments to direct compliance issues to appropriate channels for investigation and resolution.
- Followed US FDA safety standards and established SOPs when handling, mixing, and storing hazardous chemicals
- Performed routine water quality testing for E. Coli and total coliphage to ensure compliance with manufacturing requirements
- Developed strong relationships with vendors and suppliers to secure reliable access to high-quality reagents, consumables, and equipment for laboratory operations.
- Ensured the reliability of analytical results by consistently following established protocols and best practices in sample handling, storage, and analysis.
- Managed analytical chemistry department of 5-7 employees for US FDA-regulated pharmaceutical manufacturing laboratory with $1.2 million budget.
- Increased accuracy in experimental data by standardizing calibration procedures across all instruments used in the laboratory.
- Mentored junior scientists in essential laboratory techniques, fostering a collaborative learning environment within the team.
Clinical Microbiologist
AvuTox Laboratories
2011.07 - 2015.08
- Operated HPLC/GC instrumentation in clinical research lab and identified concentration of Schedule I-V drugs in urine and saliva samples.
- Coordinated laboratory activities with medical clinic to ensure efficient delivery of diagnostic results used in medical decision-making process.
- Contributed to operational quality and efficiency via instrument calibration, application of quality controls and implementation of maintenance functions.
- Interpreted and documented results of tests into active databases and communicated results to internal customers and organizational shareholders.
- Interviewed, hired, and trained over 50 lab technicians during time in laboratory management role.
- Evaluated emerging technologies for potential incorporation into the laboratory''s diagnostic arsenal, staying current with industry advances.
- Maintained confidentiality of all patient information to conform to HIPAA, internal, and other regulatory standards.
- Also played key role in development of toxicological 225-drug panel used for assay of Schedule I-V classified drugs.
Education
Ph.D. - Environmental Science and Engineering
University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC12.2020
Master of Science - Environmental Science and Engineering
University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC12.2014
Bachelor of Science - Biology
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC05.2011
Bachelor of Arts - Chemistry
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC05.2011
Skills
- Laboratory Management
- Administration and management
- Technical report writing
- Database Management Software
- Scientific Writing
- Statistical Analysis
- Microbial Analysis
- Disease Surveillance
- Laboratory Quality Assurance
- Quality Control Procedures
- Proficient in PCR
- Good laboratory practices
Websites
Publications
- Cross-method assessment of coliphage detection methods in the framework of EPA regulatory standards, Letters in Applied Microbiology, 76, 7, ovad081, 2023
- Integrating culture and molecular quantification of microbial contaminants into a predictive modeling framework in a low-lying, tidally influenced coastal watershed, Science of The Total Environment, 792, 148232, 2021
- Understanding Fecal Contamination Dynamics through the Integration of Molecular Pathogen Quantification and Land-Water Interface Characteristics, Doctoral dissertation, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2020
- E. coli CB390: An alternative E. coli host for simultaneous detection of somatic and F+ coliphage viruses in reclaimed and other waters, Journal of virological methods, 250, 25-28, 2017
Timeline
Microbiologist III
Massachusetts Department Of Public Health
2022.01 - Current
Clean Energy Coordinator
Adirondack North Country Association
2021.04 - 2022.09
Doctoral Research Fellow
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
2016.08 - 2020.12
Analytical Scientist
Integrated Pharma Solutions
2015.08 - 2016.08
Clinical Microbiologist
AvuTox Laboratories
2011.07 - 2015.08
Ph.D. - Environmental Science and Engineering
University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Master of Science - Environmental Science and Engineering
University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Bachelor of Science - Biology
East Carolina University
Bachelor of Arts - Chemistry
East Carolina University
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