Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Neil Merchant

Portland,OR

Summary

To seek and maintain a full or part-time position that offers professional challenges utilizing interpersonal skills, excellent time management and problem-solving skills.

Overview

20
20
years of professional experience

Work History

JJ's Portland Mushroom (Owner/Operator)

Self Employed
11.2022 - Current
  • Gourmet Culinary Mushroom production for restaurant and private sales.
  • Planning, design, and implementation, of home laboratory culture equipment and media sterilization techniques and practice.
  • Developed and maintained strong relationships with clients, resulting in repeat business and referrals.
  • Managed financial aspects of the business, including budgeting, financial reporting, and tax preparation.
  • Managed day-to-day business operations.
  • Established foundational processes for business operations.

Senior Molecular/Microbiologist

Biogen Laboratory Developments
10.2018 - 08.2022
  • Worked with clients in the Portland Metro area to collect product/environmental testing samples.
  • Conduct USDA validation study for large prepared meat company customer.
  • Collect, prepare, and run Microbiology and Molecular analysis on product and environmental samples.
  • Prepare selective media, broths, and control cultures, for pathogenic and food spoilage organisms.
  • Completed melt curve analysis for genotype and bacteria identification.
  • Carried out quality control assessments for DNA analysis software.
  • Managed overall laboratory functions.
  • Scheduled and trained technical staff members.

Management/Cannabis Consultant

C9f LLC
11.2016 - 07.2018
  • Design and implement grow room and flower room setups including environmental control and irrigation
  • Propagation of plant tissues and transplantation to various medias
  • Trim and pruning of plants for flower production
  • Staking and trellis of plants for mechanical support
  • Pest management and pesticide utilization and documentation
  • Plant nutrition and irrigation reservoir maintenance
  • Pest identification and plant trichrome observation
  • Independently manage large operation with limited funding and assistance

Microbiologist

Church and Dwight Co., Inc
07.2012 - 07.2015
  • Test samples for various bacteria, molds, and yeasts using pour plate and 3M petrifilm methods
  • Utilize enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technology used for enumeration of allergen contaminate testing
  • Perform Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) technique
  • Manage and run controls for Microbiological media using various live organisms
  • Create and sterilize media using autoclaves for Microbial testing of Raw ingredients
  • Audit/Organize record logs, review SOPs, and carry out document storage for project/sample folders
  • Prepare samples for testing through compositing and weighing using aseptic technique
  • Work independently and manage all tasks in the laboratory several days a week

Microbiologist

Nestle Quality Assurance Center
04.2008 - 05.2012
  • Test samples for various bacteria, molds, and yeasts using pour plate and 3M petrifilm methods
  • Utilize VIDAS Vitek technology for microbial identification
  • Run controls on known bacteria, molds, and yeasts
  • Audit/Organize record logs, review SOPs, and carry out document storage for project/sample folders
  • Organize recycling program within General Microbiology lab
  • Prepare samples for testing through compositing and weighing using aseptic technique
  • Read plates and record results using Labware LIMS program

Biological (Field) Technician

USDA Agricultural Research Service
06.2007 - 03.2008
  • Maintenance and troubleshoot automated surface and drainage water sampling systems for the upper big Walnut Creek Watershed
  • Sustain and repair cooling systems for automated samplers
  • Independently schedule and transport tools, data, and equipment necessary to complete field tasks
  • Manually collect ground water samples
  • Program and modify numerous field instruments located throughout the upper big Walnut Creek Watershed
  • Regularly collect and retain detailed experimental data through programs such as: Microsoft Excel, Word, Flowlink, and Hoboware
  • Assemble and repair pressure transducers and tipping pan sensors for water level and flow studies

Biological Laboratory Technician

USDA Agricultural Research Service
06.2006 - 06.2007
  • Perform water quality analysis and associated quality controls
  • Perform routine and recurring techniques and studies using a variety of specialized equipment and techniques
  • Record instrument readings, collect samples and take measurements in the field setting
  • Determine total filterable solids, measure pH, and perform digestion of water samples for total phosphorus and total nitrogen analysis
  • Keep detailed records of experimental data
  • Tabulate and summarize data using personal computers and software packages; Microsoft Excel, Word
  • Maintain inventory of chemicals, prepare solutions and reagents for use in the laboratory and field, and safely dispose of waste material (chemical and biological)
  • Perform soil digestions to determine organic matter
  • Responsible for set-up and operation of pressure plate apparatus for determination of soil moisture release curves
  • Perform particle size analysis on soil samples

Internship Student

Ohio EPA, Surface Water
06.2004 - 09.2004
  • Perform field surveys of local aquatic insects and fish, including identification, cataloging of data and preparation of site mapping
  • Collect tissue samples from sport fish to establish consumption advisories
  • Prepare specimens for chemical tissue analysis
  • Assemble, connect, and release Hester-Dendy samplers to gauge benthic macroinvertebrate populations
  • Preserve fish and macroinvertebrate specimens for cataloging and analysis
  • Complete EPA field safety, first aid, driving and boating safety courses

Education

Bachelor of Science - Biology

The Ohio State University
Columbus, OH
06.2007

Skills

  • Food Microbiology
  • Equipment Maintenance
  • Immunofluorescence Assays
  • Good Manufacturing Practices
  • Environmental Sampling
  • Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)
  • FDA Compliance
  • Gram Staining
  • Microscopic Techniques
  • Organization of Biological Field Stations
  • Preparing Samples
  • Laboratory Equipment Handling
  • Regulatory Standards
  • Microorganism Isolation
  • Technical Troubleshooting

Timeline

JJ's Portland Mushroom (Owner/Operator)

Self Employed
11.2022 - Current

Senior Molecular/Microbiologist

Biogen Laboratory Developments
10.2018 - 08.2022

Management/Cannabis Consultant

C9f LLC
11.2016 - 07.2018

Microbiologist

Church and Dwight Co., Inc
07.2012 - 07.2015

Microbiologist

Nestle Quality Assurance Center
04.2008 - 05.2012

Biological (Field) Technician

USDA Agricultural Research Service
06.2007 - 03.2008

Biological Laboratory Technician

USDA Agricultural Research Service
06.2006 - 06.2007

Internship Student

Ohio EPA, Surface Water
06.2004 - 09.2004

Bachelor of Science - Biology

The Ohio State University
Neil Merchant