CV
SUMMARY
Energetic, forward-thinking single cell/ spatial transcriptomics Support Scientist with a PhD in the Biology of Aging, dedicated to advancing the field of geroscience towards innovative scientific discovery and real-world solutions for healthy human aging. Proven track record of scientific communication, project management, and successful product launches.
EDUCATION
PhD in Biology of Aging | UT Health San Antonio Aug 2015- Apr 2021
Integrated Biomedical Sciences. Neuroscience focus (Alzheimer’s disease and senescence).
BS in biology | Texas Tech University Aug 2007- May 2010
Minor in Chemistry. Animal Behavior focus.
AAS in Arts and Sciences | U. of Wisconsin- Washington Co. Aug 2005- May 2007
EXPERIENCE
Support Scientist III
10x Genomics | Pleasanton CA April 2021- current
• Provided technical advice and mentoring. Applications troubleshooting for both Field Applications Team and Customers. Provided scientific guidance regarding the choice and appropriate use of transcriptomics technologies. Logged and managed customer issues using Zendesk, Salesforce, Jira, and Confluence.
• Subject matter expert for Sample Preparation, Chromium Nuclei Isolation Kit, and Spatial Transcriptomics (Visium FFPE v1, Visium HD).
• Managed the escalation process. Held peer-level consultations with Scientists at top academic, research, and corporate institutions.
• Voice of the Customer. Distilled, quantified and actively represented Customer feedback to internal teams. Used “Customer Perspective” to advocate for the User Experience during the Product Development and sustaining phases of the Product Lifecycle. Successfully launched products in PGR5 through LCM.
• Wrote Knowledgebase articles, FAQs and other knowledge-based tools. Spearheaded internal Sample Prep Tissue-specific Resource Guide and Visium Troubleshooting Handbook. Created Bridge training for Zendesk, trained new hires.
• Produced technical content. Developed, wrote, and edited technical documentation for internal and external customers. Produced the Technical Support Updates monthly newsletter. Provided product training of global support calls.
Graduate Research Assistant Aug 2015- May 2021
University of Texas Health at San Antonio, South Texas Veterans Healthcare | San Antonio TX
Mentor: Dr. Veronica Galvan
· Award-winning scientific communicator; presented research at over 30 conferences and received 9 awards
· Experienced public speaker; 23 oral presentations to diverse audiences (including 3 invited presentations), and 28 poster presentations
· Developed novel method to isolate marmoset neurons and astrocytes to expand scientific discovery
· Established collaborations outside of university resulting in $2+ million R01 grant for PI
· Excelled in scientific writing with 3 publications, 12 published abstracts, 4 Op/Eds, ad hoc reviewer
· Supervised and trained undergraduate and graduate students to master scientific techniques
Exam Technician/ Optician June 2010- Aug 2015
West Bend Optical | West Bend WI & Jan 2002- June 2007
· Researched competition and worked with KOLs at major labs to compile a new competitive pricing strategy to boost gross revenue by over 25% in 1 year
· Maintained good rapport with MSLs to stay up-to-date on optical-related technology in order to influence purchases, maintain care compliance, and preserve patient retainment
· Focused on quality customer service by using professionalism, personalized care, and conflict resolution
· Trained doctors and staff on new paperless practice management system
Undergraduate Research Assistant Jan 2010- May 2010
Texas Tech University | Lubbock TX
Mentor: Dr. Kenneth Schmidt
· Experimental analysis of animal behavior
· Presented findings to lab in a formal presentation
· Data was published in the journal of Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology
ACHIEVEMENTS
· Won 4 Poster Awards, 4 Travel/ Abstract Awards, and 1 Speaker Award
· Awarded $58,000+ from NIH/ NIA for personal training
· 2020 American Society for Pharmaceutical and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET) Washington Fellow
· Received 6 Competitive scholarships
· Organized and emceed 2 student symposia
· First graduate student to have scientific proposal accepted by the NIH Intervention’s Testing Program
· Publication won award for outstanding scientific discovery through the American Physiological Society
· Wrote 4 Op/Eds for local and national journals regarding scientific discovery and innovation
· Volunteered at virtual booth to meet with prospective members for American Aging Association at ABRCMS 2020
· Only graduate student to be invited as the moderator for the Barshop Symposium on Aging 2020
HONORS & AWARDS
2020 Poster Award, Texas Alzheimer’s Research and Care Consortium
2020 Washington DC Fellow, American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
2019 Travel Award, Lisa K. Bailey Alzheimer’s Travel Award Fund, for Brain and Brain Pet, Yokohama, Japan
2019 Data Blitz 1st Place, American Aging Association
2019 Travel Award, American Aging Association
2019 Poster Award, OK Nathan Shock Center for Geroscience Symposium
2019 Travel Award, OK Nathan Shock Center for Geroscience Symposium
2019 Poster Award, South Texas Alzheimer’s Conference
2018 Travel Award, American Aging Association
2018 American Physiological Society APSselect Award
2017 Steunebrink Scholarship
2017- 2020 T32 NIA Biology of Aging Training Grant
2017 UTHSCSA Endowed Students Scholarship
2017 Poster Award, Barshop Student Day
2016 Bennie W. Schreck Scholarship
PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS
· 3 publications
· 4 publications in preparation for submission
· 12 published abstracts
· 23 oral presentations
· 4 Op/Eds
· 28 poster presentations
SKILLS
Scientific Communication • Public Speaking • Microsoft Office; Word, PowerPoint, Excel • Leadership • Experimental Design • Neuroscience • Collaboration • Interpersonal Skills • Health and Science Policy • Regulatory Affairs • Problem Solving • Scientific Writing • Training/ Education • Data Analysis • Graphpad Prism • Molecular Biology
TECHNIQUES
Single Cell RNA-Seq • Spatial Transcriptomics • Animal Behavior • Confocal Microscopy • qRT-PRC • Primary Cell Culture • Flow Cytometry • Stereotaxic Surgery • Western Blots • Immunocytochemistry • Brain Cryosectioning and Histology • ELISA • 3D Neuron Imaging • Drug Administration in Mice (IP, oral gavage, specialized diets) • Tissue Collection • Animal Care • Sterile Surgical Procedures • Adhering to SOPs • RNA/DNA/ Protein Extraction
RELEVANT COURSEWORK
Organic Evolution
Cell Biology
Genetics
Principles of Microbiology
Molecular Biochemistry
Organic Chemistry II
Biology II
Human Anatomy & Physiology
General Chemistry II
Psychology
Calculus
Physics II
Fundamentals of Biomedical Sciences
Biology of Aging
Experimental Design & Data Analysis
Scientific Writing
Biostatistics I & II
Translational Science