Samantha Joy Fabian, PhD, PMP
Morgantown,WV
Summary
Dynamic professional with extensive project management experience within the DoD, adept at data analysis, strategic policy and biotechnology techniques. Proven track record in leading high-value programs, ensuring regulatory compliance, and effectively communicating complex information to stakeholders. Recognized for developing innovative solutions that mitigate biological risks and enhance operational efficiency.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Biology AI Trainer
Sepal AI Inc.
San Francisco, California
06.2025 - Current
- Design, draft, and review research-quality biology problem sets, shaping how AI models are measured and fine-tuned in biology-related domains
- Contribute ideas, test data, and experimental protocols to evaluate and train AI capability
- Pinpointed conceptual traps and reasoning complexities that challenge AI comprehension in biology
Science Integration Lead-Europe/Africia
Octant Associates, Defense Threat Logistics Agency
Lorton, Virginia
05.2024 - Current
- Managed a diverse portfolio of 19 Biological Threat Reduction Program projects valued at over $36 million to mitigate biological risks internationally
- Effectively communicated complex technical information to senior DoD leadership through strategic reports and meeting products
- Monitored project lifecycle from project charter to closeout, ensuring adherence to timelines and objectives
- Reviewed grant proposal documents for scientific validity and alignment with biosecurity policy goals within BTRP
- Led a team of 7 subject matter experts of various scientific domains to ensuring continuity of support across the portfolio
Operations Officer
West Virginia Army National Guard
08.2020 - Current
- Served as logistical planner for state partnership mission supporting 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar
- Conducted five mission assurance assessments of WV National Guard facilities, identifying infrastructure vulnerabilities statewide
Postdoctoral Fellow
West Virginia University (WVU) Research Corporation
Morgantown, USA
07.2023 - 05.2024
- Developed strategies to mitigate biological risk of select agents using molecular biology techniques for novel mRNA vaccines.
- Accessed databases like NCBI BLAST, applying bioinformatics for target antigen design.
- Collaborated with research team to analyze data and establish best practices in vaccine development pipelines.
- Utilized human cell lines to observe in vitro effects of formulations prior to animal studies.
- Created IACUC-approved protocols, ensuring humane and ethical conduct of animal experiments.
Program Manager, Brigade Headquarters
Army Interagency Training and Education Center (AITEC)
10.2022 - 06.2023
- Managed five portfolios valued at $24 million in contracts with National Guard Bureau, Defense Information Systems Agency, Department of Homeland Security, United States Coast Guard and Headquarters Department of the Army
- Responsible for resource allocation, operational oversight and key stakeholder engagements
- Conducted program cost models to ensure most efficient use of funding to achieve deliverables
- Enforced Department of Defense (DoD) policies to maintain regulatory compliance and meet standards
- Distilled highly technical information into understandable meeting products and white papers for senior leaders
- Managed Microsoft Teams and SharePoint for the Brigade; maintaining open communication and knowledge management
- Completed Lean Six Sigma (Green Belt) training course; implementing process improvement within the organization
Program Manager-Critical Infrastructure Protection
Army Interagency Training and Education Center (AITEC)
Kingwood, West Virginia
09.2018 - 10.2022
- Achieved Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification.
- Managed four DoD and intergovernmental critical infrastructure programs, overseeing 130 personnel and $14 million in annual funding.
- Served as legislative liaison to enhance capability expansion at strategic levels, collaborating with congressional staff on policy development.
- Completed cybersecurity training focused on industrial control systems, achieving certifications such as ECSA and CCNA.
- Conducted knowledge exchange with Peruvian Army, sharing best practices in cyber critical infrastructure.
- Led Virology sector team during 2022 NATO Locked Shields Cybersecurity Exercise.
- Maintained active TS/SCI security clearance for sensitive operations.
Laboratory Director
West Virginia National Guard (WVNG)
04.2020 - 04.2022
- Developed and directed the first DoD Clinical Laboratory Improvement Program (CLIP) certified testing labs for COVID-19, receiving Secretary of Defense recognition
- Managed and maintained accountability of over $5.2 million in reagents and equipment
- Created standardized operating procedures (SOPs) on COVID-19 mobile testing, sharing best practices with 14 military, government, and academic entities
- Implemented regulatory guidelines on proper biospecimen collection and handling procedures
- Enabled numerous operations across WV by mitigating biological risk to include state leadership engagements, 6 Challenge Academy rotations, 3 WV police academy rotations, 17 WVNG units to continue military training and 3 WNVG deploying units
COVID-19 Scientific Task Force Member
West Virginia University
04.2020 - 06.2021
- Selected by the WV COVID-19 Czar to be a part of the 15-member WVU task force
- Conducted knowledge exchange and developed strategies to overcome challenges facing COVID-19 innovations across multiple academic disciplines
- Worked with county health department epidemiologists and assisted in standing up the first COVID-19 contact tracing teams within WV
- Collaborated with WVU & WV Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) to establish a NIH grant for rural COVID testing strategies
Company Commander-1201st Forward Support Co.
West Virginia Army National Guard
08.2015 - 08.2020
- Supervised over 120 Soldiers and maintained accountability of $4 million in unit equipment
- Planned and executed hundreds of logistical operations in support of a Field Artillery Unit
- Coordinated supply and personnel flow during various West Virginia disaster response missions
Operations Officer-CBRNE Battalion
Army Interagency Training and Education Center (AITEC)
02.2018 - 09.2018
- Managed operations pertaining to CBRNE response training / certification of National Guard units across the nation
- Served as a Biological Subject Matter Expert; advised on biologic response training scenarios
- Analyzed strategic policy and initiatives to identify gaps within biological threat training
- Knowledge manager responsible for database entries in the DoD Joint Lessons Learned Information System (JLLIS), a repository for after action reviews and best practices
Graduate Teaching Assistant
West Virginia University
Morgantown, USA
08.2015 - 12.2017
- Taught biology courses focused on scientific writing and quantification methods
Graduate Research Assistant
West Virginia University
Morgantown, USA
08.2015 - 02.2017
- Gained experience in analyzing, troubleshooting and problem solving for data sets
- Managed 4 research projects focused on increasing biosynthetic yield of pharmaceuticals
- Worked with Biosafety Level 2 human pathogens
Education
MBA - Business Administration And Management
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ05-2027
Ph.D. - Genetics And Developmental Biology
West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV05-2023
Master of Science - Genetics And Developmental Biology
West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV05-2018
Bachelor of Science - Applied And Environmental Microbiology
West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV05-2015
Skills
- Project management
- Data analysis
- Biotechnology and multi-domain science
- Biosecurity policy
- Strategic planning
- Effective communication
Accomplishments
2021 West Virginia National Guard Association (NGAUS) Officer of the Year
Timeline
Biology AI Trainer
Sepal AI Inc.
06.2025 - Current
Science Integration Lead-Europe/Africia
Octant Associates, Defense Threat Logistics Agency
05.2024 - Current
Postdoctoral Fellow
West Virginia University (WVU) Research Corporation
07.2023 - 05.2024
Program Manager, Brigade Headquarters
Army Interagency Training and Education Center (AITEC)
10.2022 - 06.2023
Operations Officer
West Virginia Army National Guard
08.2020 - Current
Laboratory Director
West Virginia National Guard (WVNG)
04.2020 - 04.2022
COVID-19 Scientific Task Force Member
West Virginia University
04.2020 - 06.2021
Program Manager-Critical Infrastructure Protection
Army Interagency Training and Education Center (AITEC)
09.2018 - 10.2022
Operations Officer-CBRNE Battalion
Army Interagency Training and Education Center (AITEC)
02.2018 - 09.2018
Company Commander-1201st Forward Support Co.
West Virginia Army National Guard
08.2015 - 08.2020
Graduate Teaching Assistant
West Virginia University
08.2015 - 12.2017
Graduate Research Assistant
West Virginia University
08.2015 - 02.2017
MBA - Business Administration And Management
Grand Canyon University
Ph.D. - Genetics And Developmental Biology
West Virginia University
Master of Science - Genetics And Developmental Biology
West Virginia University
Bachelor of Science - Applied And Environmental Microbiology
West Virginia University