Ruben O. Garcia Vazquez
San Diego,CA
Summary
Bilingual and problem-solving Scientist looking for a Scientist position within the Cell Therapy and/or Research and Development sector. Detail-oriented and able to learn new concepts quickly while handling challenging work and excellent time management skills. Skilled in working under pressure and adapting to new situations and challenges to best enhance the company's goals. Great team-oriented collaboration, exceptional interpersonal and multitasking abilities.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Scientist I
Shoreline Biosciences
San Diego, CA
06.2022 - 10.2023
- Optimized iPSC to mature macrophage differentiation protocols and media to generate an allogenic genetically modified CAR-Macrophage cell therapy.
- Generated GMP-like in-house cell culture media to aid in every stage of cell differentiation. Results suggested a 20-60% savings in media costs in comparison to commercially available products while maintaining comparable yields.
- Applied knowledge of cell differentiation and scale-up protocols to transition into an automated liquid handling system (Hamilton) to establish product automation and quality testing.
- Developed multi-colored flow cytometry panels, experimental setup and analysis to determine differentiation yield percentage of specific cell populations.
- Trained Research Associates and Scientists on BSLII and GLP environment iPSC cell culture maintenance, cryopreservation, molecular assays and SOP development.
- Multi-departmental projects included generation of GMP-like cryopreservation media with the Natural Killer (NK) cell group, production of GMP cell media and differentiation media with the Product Development department, and development/testing of new QC/QA assays to detect early signs of yield percentage with the Analytical Development department.
- Conducted literature reviews to support iPSC differentiation to mature macrophages using GMP-grade products and identify new areas of exploration for in-house GMP-like cell culture media and cryopreservation.
- Documented all laboratory activities in compliance with established standards and regulations using Benchling and other electronic notebook tools, like Microsoft software.
- Presented and participated in weekly team meetings to discuss progress towards project goals and collaborate on solutions.
Pre-Doctoral Fellow
University of Florida, College of Medicine
Gainesville, FL
08.2017 - 12.2021
- Axolotl’s, amphibian vertebrates, regenerative ability allows them to heal wounds without scarring and regenerate limbs. Macrophages, central components of the immune system, play a key role in regulating mammalian wound healing and scarification; they are also imperative in the process of regeneration of both axolotls and mammals.
- My research thesis focused on using comparative biology to define the pathways that promote scar-free healing in axolotls versus scarification in mouse/humans. As senior graduate student,
- Mentored and trained 6 undergraduate students in animal handling, husbandry, and molecular biology assays used to contribute to the main projects.
- Through the College of Graduate School, I mentored first-year pre-doctoral students and was awarded Graduate Student Mentor of the year due to my commitment and work with both my students and the university community
Fulbright Fellow - Germany
Fulbright Commission
Dresden, Germany
10.2020 - 10.2021
- This Fulbright and German Academic Exchange Program funded collaboration entails the use of novel salamander transgenic models to study macrophage infiltration and motility during skin and limb regeneration.
- This collaboration provided the means to isolate fluorescently-tagged amphibian macrophages and perform RNA sequencing studies.
- Projects included both in-vivo and in-vitro work in salamander models (axolotl and newts) along with developing both USA and EU approved IACUC and AAALAC proposals.
Laboratory Technician
Eurofins Microbiological Lab
Des Moines, IA
05.2016 - 04.2017
- Collected, labeled and stored lab samples according to aseptic technique laboratory specifications.
- Maintained laboratory equipment by performing daily calibration checks and troubleshooting any malfunctions.
- Prepared testing medias and solutions of reagents for use in microbiological testing for the whole lab according to standard GLP procedures.
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Universidad de Extremadura
Caceres, Spain
02.2015 - 05.2015
- When the receptors of the NK cells are activated by melanoma cells, they start the process of degranulation. The aim was to target those activating receptors in the NK cells and block them to measure the level of activation of degranulation in the cell; flow cytometry was used to measure the degranulation proteins in the cell membrane of the NK cells by using antibodies.
- Prepared poster and power point presentations summarizing study results for local and national poster presentations.
- Drafted manuscripts and reports summarizing the findings of research studies.
Microbiologist, Laboratory Quality Control Intern
Cargill Kitchen Solutions
Mason City, IA
05.2014 - 08.2014
- Projects covered administrative and experimental/research areas of the company. These included creating, developing, and implementing experimental designs to optimize microbiological testing in a food processing plant.
- Carried out quality control checks on materials used in the laboratory setting according to established standards.
- Analyzed data from environmental samples to determine levels of microbial contamination.
- Created and conducted presentations to instruct employees to company policies, work progress, and procedures.
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Center of Bio Renewable Chemicals
Ames, IA
05.2013 - 08.2013
- Duties included bacterial cell culture, conduction of affinity chromatography protocols, carry out SDS Page Gels, and analyze data using computer software programs such as Leica and C.D..
- Planned and organized research projects, created timelines, and tracked progress.
- Cultivated research skills to learn how to handle independent assignments.
Education
Ph.D. - Biomedical Sciences
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL12-2021
Bachelor of Science - Microbiology
Iowa State University
Ames, IA05-2016
Bachelor of Arts - World Languages & Cultures
Iowa State University
Ames, IA05-2016
Skills
- Cell Culture (Bacteria, Fungi, Mammals, and Amphibians)
- Cell Culture Media Optimization
- Cell Therapy
- DNA/RNA extraction
- Molecular Biology Assays
- Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs) Development and Implementation
- Software: Adobe Photoshop, FlowJo, Microsoft Software (PowerPoint, Excel, OneNote, Outlook) and Benchling (Computer Lab Notebook)
- Cryopreservation
- Fresh and Frozen Tissue Processing and testing
- Multi-Colored Flow Cytometry (Cytek Training)
- MSD setup and analysis
- Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) setup and analysis
- Laboratory Equipment Functions
- Experimental Design
- Quantitative Skills
- Project Management
- Animal Handling (mice and amphibians)
- Experiment Protocol Development
- Safety Processes and Procedures
- Data Analysis
- Research Proposals
- Experiment Design
- Quality Assurance Controls
- Technical Troubleshooting
- Strong Leadership Abilities
- Staff Training
- Strategic Planning
- Regulatory Compliance Understanding
- Grant Proposal Development
- Excellent Quantitative Skills
- Critical Thinking Abilities
Languages
Spanish
Native/ Bilingual
Accomplishments
- "Immunity in salamander regeneration: where are we standing and where are we headed?" Publication in Developmental Dynamics September 2020
- Fulbright-Germany Fellow February 2021
- German Academic Exchange Program (DAAD) Scholar October 2020
- Edward A. Bouchet Graduate Honor Society January 2020
“The Edward Alexander Bouchet Graduate Honor Society recognizes outstanding scholarly achievement and promotes diversity and excellence in doctoral education.” Yale University, UF Chapter
- Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) Scholarship October 2019
- First Place Poster Presentation and Travel Scholarship from Harvard University in Cross-Disciplinary Biological Research Conference July 2019
- Travel Scholarship, Tissue Repair Gordon Research Conference, New London, NH June 2019
- T-32 DK 074367 Training Program in Regenerative Medicine, National Institutes of Health July 2018
- Board of Education Ph.D. Summer Program, University of Florida ($3,000) June 2017
- Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship ($5,000) August 2014
- Jerry Benning Study Abroad Scholarship ($2,500) August 2014
- McNair Scholar, Iowa State University August 2013
- Dean’s List, Iowa State University May 2013 – May 2015
- Harold Crawford Scholarship, Iowa State University ($1,000) August 2012
- Kinesis Undergraduate Scholarship ($4,000) August 2011
- Competitive Excellence Award, Iowa State University ($22,000) August 2011
- Finalist, Intel International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF) May 2011
References
References available upon request.
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Quote
Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don’t.
Bill Nye, the Science Guy
Timeline
Scientist I
Shoreline Biosciences
06.2022 - 10.2023
Fulbright Fellow - Germany
Fulbright Commission
10.2020 - 10.2021
Pre-Doctoral Fellow
University of Florida, College of Medicine
08.2017 - 12.2021
Laboratory Technician
Eurofins Microbiological Lab
05.2016 - 04.2017
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Universidad de Extremadura
02.2015 - 05.2015
Microbiologist, Laboratory Quality Control Intern
Cargill Kitchen Solutions
05.2014 - 08.2014
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Center of Bio Renewable Chemicals
05.2013 - 08.2013
Ph.D. - Biomedical Sciences
University of Florida
Bachelor of Science - Microbiology
Iowa State University
Bachelor of Arts - World Languages & Cultures
Iowa State University
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