Stephanie Carleton

Operations Lead, Regulatory Affairs at Bayer Crop Science

St Louis, Missouri, United States

About

I’m a regulatory and technical professional with deep experience in regulatory science, regulatory strategy, and global strategic planning. I specialize in translating complex technical, scientific, and data‑driven information into clear, actionable insights aligned with license to operate (LTO) and portfolio management decisions. My strengths include project and stakeholder management, planning and forecasting, and cross‑functional collaboration across global, matrixed teams. I bring strong technical writing, digital acumen, and data management capabilities, paired with a solution‑focused mindset and proactive problem‑solving approach. I lead through influence, fostering alignment, accountability, and effective execution to deliver strategic regulatory outcomes.

Experience

  • Bayer (8 yrs 10 mos)
    • Regulatory Affairs Operations Lead
      Jun 2022 - Present · 4 yrs 1 mo

      Lead Global Trait submission plans and strategy by driving timely submission support strategies for Trait Submissions. Coordinate and partner with key stakeholders to prioritize and track projects, manage resource demand and predict potential bottlenecks that could impact submissions. Manage data tools to access, track and maintain project information. Establish processes for data governance. Coordinate across Global Regulatory Affairs Seeds and Traits the information, decision making and processes to support financial needs, budget and forecasting.

    • Stewardship and Trait Quality Lead, Regulatory Sciences
      May 2020 - Jun 2022 · 2 yrs 2 mos

      Manage all seed movement between divisions globally Ensure all Regulatory Sciences regulated seed movement/release is compliant with global trait quality and stewardship policies AND meets the host country governments GMO regulations and laws Create complex Breeding Trees for the Seed and Traits portfolio that meets all requirements of countries included for global dossier submissions and is responsible for answering all regulator questions regarding these Breeding Trees; Collaborate with Regulatory Stewardship and Compliance in developing strategy and implementing trait quality management processes within Regulatory Science functions Drive strategy for process improvement, automation and IT solutions Write SOPs for complex technical operations and processes to ensure compliance Ensure compliance with safety, BioSafety and stewardship standards and traceability through appropriate quality management and informationsystems

    • Senior Process and Compliance Manager (formerly Trait Quality Lead)
      Sep 2017 - May 2020 · 2 yrs 9 mos

      • Develop and drive a trait quality strategy across the Biotechnology organization • Partner with stakeholders to define scientific and operational risk factors and implement Corporate-level trait quality policies and procedures • Define trait quality requirements for new technologies • Collaborate across functions and testing labs to assess, develop and implement firewall testing strategies and identify business needs and manage issue resolution • Provide direction for IT system development and improvements

  • Monsanto Company (5 yrs 2 mos)
    • Molecular Analyst, Nucleic Acid Detection
      May 2013 - Sep 2017 · 4 yrs 5 mos

      • Lead Scientist responsible for the support of current and future global regulatory submissions of biotechnology enhanced plant products by developing, validating and distributing PCR-based detection methods • Support existing regulatory applications by generating data and/or responses to address comments from Regulatory agencies worldwide concerning detection method submissions • Prepare and review reports and dossiers to support regulatory submissions • MTC representative on a Product Core Team • Monsanto representative for Crop Life International Detection Methods Project Team • Lead the process/efficiency improvements for the Detection Methods team • Co-leader of compliance activities for the Molecular Technical Center • Member of cross-functional committees including MTC/PTC Compliance Steering Team, MTC/PTC Events Team, Document Automation Team

    • Molecular Analyst, Molecular Characterization
      Aug 2012 - May 2013 · 10 mos

      • Study director responsible for method development, optimization and documentation in a GLP environment for large scale in vitro transcription of RNA, DNA sequencing and northern blot analyses of transgenic corn • Characterization of test substance, including determination of experimental acceptance criteria needed to generate a certificate of analysis • Dose confirmation studies to support a mouse oral gavage toxicology study • Establishment of guidance documents and worksheets to drive accuracy and consistency between analysts • Prepare reports to support regulatory submissions • Review reports and data for content, accuracy and adherence to SOPs • Primary contact for multiple cross-discipline collaborations • Member of several cross-functional committees including Compliance and Quality Steering Teams, EPA Inspection Readiness Team and Safety Inspection Team

  • Molecular Analyst at Randstad USA
    Jul 2011 - Aug 2012 · 1 yr 2 mos

    • Lead Scientist for test substance production, including method development, optimization, production and documentation in a GLP environment • Characterization of test substance, including determination of experimental acceptance criteria needed to generate a certificate of analysis • Establishment of guidance documents and worksheets to drive accuracy and consistency between analysts • Prepare reports to support regulatory submissions • Review reports and data for content, accuracy and adherence to SOPs • Primary contact for multiple cross-discipline collaborations

  • University of Missouri (10 yrs)
    • Post Doctoral Fellow
      Nov 2006 - Jul 2011 · 4 yrs 9 mos

      • Responsible for design, execution and statistical analyses of experiments • Assay development, including Taqman assays, animal exercise protocols and antibody characterization • Lab animal husbandry and genotyping, including assay improvement • Lab manager in charge of personnel, general lab organization and operations • Teaching laboratory classes to undergraduate biochemistry majors • Responsible for manuscript and grant preparation • Responsible for presentation of data at regional, national and international meetings

    • Graduate Fellow
      Aug 2001 - Oct 2006 · 5 yrs 3 mos

      • Responsible for design, execution and statistical analyses of dissertation research (project entitled titled “The Role of Genetic Background on the Phenotypic Severity of the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Murine (oim) COL1A2 Gene Mutation Throughout Postnatal Development”) • Assay development, including Taqman assays, biomechanical testing and collagen quantification • Responsible for manuscript and dissertation preparation • Responsible for presentation of data at regional, national and international meetings • Lab animal husbandry and genotyping

  • Laboratory Technician at Todays Staffing
    Mar 2001 - Jul 2001 · 5 mos

    I was a member of the corn production team whose duties included embryonic transformation, tissue culture and development of callus into seedlings.