Staff Research Associate II
Build and re-engineer polyketide synthase pathways in Pseudomonas putida — cloning, genome integration, shake-flask and bioreactor runs — then use LC–MS to diagnose bottlenecks and steer the next design cycle.
Resume
A chemist and researcher by training — natural products, analytical chemistry, and metabolic engineering — with a side practice in clay.
Work experience
Ceramics Instructor
Teach introductory ceramics to adult learners — wheel throwing, trimming, glazing, and firing — with an emphasis on making the studio a welcoming place to try something new.
Research Associate II, Natural Products Chemistry
Worked across strain engineering and analytical chemistry to quantify bioactive metabolites from engineered yeast, scale fermentations, and build HPLC and LC–MS/MS methods that guided which strains to keep moving.
Education
Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences
Thesis on the synthesis and evaluation of urea-based analogs as anticancer agents (advisor: Nadezhda German).
Bachelor of Science in Nutrition
Minors in Biology and Psychology.
Skills / techniques
Laboratory. Natural products chemistry, analytical chemistry, chromatography and mass spectrometry, compound purification, organic synthesis, microbial culture and fermentation, molecular cloning, cell-based assays, and biosafety / sterile technique.
Collaboration. Cross-functional work across chemistry, biology, and automation teams.
Software. ChemDraw, Benchling, TeselaGen, MassLynx, Empower, MassHunter, ChemStation, OpenLab CDS, Mnova, Prism.
Service / volunteering
Volunteer Teaching Assistant
Help deliver virtual synthetic biology coursework to students across the globe, supporting modules on metabolic engineering and natural products chemistry — making advanced lab ideas accessible beyond a single campus or country.
Volunteer
Engaged BIPOC youth in STEM learning through hands-on activities and academic assistance in STEM courses, with a focus on building confidence and curiosity in science outside the usual classroom path.
Reach out for a full CV.