Shannon Marie Johnson

Provided support to high-throughput scientists by automating manual laboratory processes and improving existing processes by using liquid handlers and other lab automation devices. Worked with automation engineers and business owners to develop new automated work solutions to meet specified customer requirements in both GMP and GLP environments. Responsible for training, technical transfer, SOP's and WKI's for new users performing automated assays. Assessed new automated workflows for safety issues and implemented corrective actions to meet OSHA, GLP and Quality Management requirements. Performed validation on new automated work stations and workflows in GMP and GLP settings. Integrated peripheral automated devices with primarily Hamilton Star liquid handlers. Worked with multiple vendors to ensure requirements exceeded or met customer needs. Streamlined the transition from manual to automated processes by identifying potential bottlenecks and working closely with affected departments to address concerns proactively. Provided technical support to production teams during critical machine breakdowns, restoring operations with minimal disruption to schedules. Maintained version control of newly developed automated scripts with Bitbucket and Fork tools. Used the project management tool JIRA to track and update project status.

I worked in Sanofi Specialty Care Global Business unit in the Manufacturing Science Analytical Technology (MSAT) at Sanofi, Framingham, MA (Contractor - Insight Global). This role is similar to previous laboratory automation roles I have experienced in pharmaceutical, academia, government and private industries. Developing new automation screens for high throughput analysis of biological, chemical, biopharmaceutical entities programming various liquid handlers. Continually assess workflow and processes for continuous improvements (CI). Identify areas for improvement and purchase additional robotics and implement into existing processes to enhance quality, safety, and throughput while reducing costs. These include Tecan Evo, Tecan Fluent, Hamilton De-Capper, Thermo ALPS 3000 plate seals, HiG-4 automated centrifuge. Designated as a Super-user for iLab Cockpit (ELN) and interim Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Gyrolab xPand automation. Train multiple colleagues and the use and maintenance of the automated devices. Current development projects include LCMS sample prep and Tecan Robocolumn resin screening for proteins.

• Primary responsibilities involved automated DNA mini-prep for sequencing, protein clarification and purification, protein analysis using Perkin Elmer LabChip technology. Developed ELISA, Ammonia, DNA quantification assays for bioreactor studies. Improved the automated DNA colony picking instrument to allow scientists to walk-away and not need to manually pick colonies from a petri-dish. Maintain robotics maintenance schedules, trained colleagues on daily use maintenance to extend the life of the instrument, improve quality data, and prevent automation breakdowns. Proficient in programming multiples liquid automation handlers including but not limited to, Biomek FXp (Dual head, 384, 96 and Span-8), Biomek I-series 7, Mantis microfluidics liquid handler, Mosquito microfluidics liquid handler, and Tecan Evo. Interact with multiple colleagues across departments for assay development and execution. Used scheduling software for the automated devices such as, SAMI-EX, Genera, and Retisoft.

• Assisted with implementation of multiple integrated Hamilton liquid handler robotics including NGS, Vaccine Screening, and cell-based assays. Integrated 3rd party automation devices such as ELx405 plate washers, Inheco MTC and Incubators, Cytomat ambient storage carousels, Cytomat C2 and C10 incubators. Also familiar with the integration of Inheco ODTC, Hamilton Heater-Shaker, Hamilton 2D barcode devices. Repurposed two Biomek FX’s into custom built sterile workstations. Developed 12 well and 24 well cell-based assays on the Biomek FX’s platforms with programming Dendritic Cells (DC), B cells, and T cells for vaccine research to increase throughput from Scientists performing these assays on the bench manually. Experienced with automated ELISA assays on Agilent Bravo, Biomek FX, Tecan Evo, Tecan Fluent and Hamilton liquid handlers.
• Contractor - YOH

• Provided automated laboratory solutions with Beckman Coulter liquid handling automation platforms including, but not limited to, Biomek 4000, Biomek FX, Biomek NX and Biomek I-series. Program Biomek liquid handlers for applications required by Government, Universities, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Industries. Provide customer technical support and training for automated Immunoassay instruments and assays. Troubleshoot software, hardware, assay performance, QC and calibrations.
• Remote

• Evaluated current workflows and processes for 7 laboratories and was provided $1.5 million for renovation to improve higher throughput, decrease turn-around times, and improve quality of data. Programmed Agilent bravo, Hamilton Star, Hamilton Star Plus, Hamilton Starlet, PlateMate 96/384, and multi-drop liquid handlers. Experienced troubleshooting automation issues on multiple platforms to ensure production continued without delay or without repeating assays. Nominated for a Quality Management System (QMS) Champion including internal and external auditor for ISO 9001. Performed QC analysis on multiply assays to ensure quality control of automated laboratory processes.

• Supervisor of a multiple user in-vitro cell culture laboratory for drug discovery science in DMPK, pharmacokinetics and dynamics. HT Screening of small molecules in early drug discovery. Implemented an automated MDCK-MDR1 p-glycop protein screen using Tecan liquid handler, automated Procein Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells HTS, automated with Biomek FX liquid handler and ELISA using Hamilton liquid handler. Other HTS transporter assays (OAT-C, OAT-B, p-gp, mdr1,) were developed and implemented into production assays. Operated custom built cell culture laboratory using programming, aseptic techniques, SOP’s, GLP and safety procedures. Co-author of a publication in Drug Metabolism and Distribution, November 2006. New assay development, validation and implementation. LIMS super user and in-silico modeling.