Farmington, Connecticut, United States
Pioneering scientist and business leader with proven expertise developing novel genomic technology platforms and launching high-throughput DNA sequencing production operations Seasoned researcher and accomplished R&D leader with extensive experience directing scientific discovery, lab process development, and production operations for complex genomic analyses; well established pioneer of next-generation sequencing technology platforms. Superior business strategist, building innovative R&D road maps, successful technology pipelines, and mutually beneficial partnerships. Outstanding operational and laboratory team leader, with talent for team building, training, relationship development, and formal presentation. Well-respected genomics subject-matter expert and opinion-leader. Areas of Expertise: Specialties: • Strategic R&D Planning / Implementation • Intellectual Property Development • Contract & Partnership Negotiations • Grant Proposals & Funding Development • Multimillion Dollar Budget Administration • Quality Assurance & Control (QA/QC) • High-Throughput Protocols & Technology • Lab Team Building and Leadership
Lead the JAX-GM administrative and operation team in establishing its new research institute in Connecticut. Responsible for all aspects of administration, operation and research support, including finance, human resources, information technology, facilities, research administration and scientific services. ♦ Led the JAX-GM administrative and operations teams in exceeding the recruitment and operational goals in 2013 (reached 125% targeted goal) and 2014 (reached 126% targeted goal) while stayed within budget ♦ Worked with Sr. Director of facility to ensure the completion of the 183,000 square feet new JAX-GM research building was on time (October, 2014) and on budget. ♦ Worked with the development team, education team and the operation’s staff in organizing and executing successful grand opening events and scientific symposium. ♦ Ensured smooth relocation of all staff and equipment form the temporary space to the new building in 2014. ♦ Supported the faculty in establishing their research programs by establishing core scientific infrastructure and providing resources to enable their research. ♦ Worked with the Scientific Director in organizational leadership and culture development. ♦ Recruited key operations staff and assisted in recruitment of key scientific leadership and faculty including several world renowned scientists: Drs. Charles Lee, Jacques Banchereau and George Weinstock. ♦ Established and maintained relationships with the granting agencies, collaborators, legislatures, academic partners, vendors, etc.
Earned promotion into executive-level scientific and strategic R&D leadership role, defining short- and long-range objectives for scientific research, discovery, technology platform development, lab production operations, and service delivery strategies. Developed and positioned the institute’s core technology platforms for industry-leading high-throughput genomic sequencing, in alignment with current and future service demands. ♦ Drove sequencing production growth over 500% within 5 years, expanding sequencing from single, capillary-based platform to multiplatform production utilizing 4 next-generation sequencing processes. ♦ Slashed operating budget from $30M to $5M and reduced staffing requirements from 80 to 10 through introduction of new technologies and process improvements.
Held concurrent roles responsible for creating technology development strategies, road maps, pipelines, and collaborations with internal and external PIs spanning research in human, microbial, viral, plant, infectious disease, and cancer genomics, synthetic biology, metagenomics, and transcriptomics, while establishing high-throughput sequencing facility and managing end-to-end production ramp up. Directed lab operations across technology infrastructure, LIMS, process design / testing / automation, DNA sequencing production, quality control and assurance (QA/QC), and sequencing data processing / analysis. Managed 75+ scientists, bioinformaticians, software engineers, and lab staff and $25M - $30M in annual operating budget. Co-developed large center contract and grant proposals and reviewed proposals and scholarly papers for funding agencies and journals. ♦ Scaled sequencing production up by 300% in 6 months without adding staff; earned the highest ratings (double the industry average) in employee job satisfaction and morale within the institute, collected and evaluated by independent consultancy. ♦ Led highly efficient production efforts for DNA preparation, library development, cell culture, plasmid template preparation, sequencing reaction, and detection. ♦ Forged strategic partnerships and collaborative agreements with major sequencing technology leaders, including Applied Biosystems / Life Technologies, Solexa / Illumina, Intelligent Automation, Roche, 454 Life Sciences Corporation, Pacific Biosciences, US Genomics, Shimadzu, and Oxford Nanopore. ♦ Produced manuscripts describing research findings for peer-reviewed journals; served as thought-leader, routinely presenting state-of-art technology updates internally and to the scientific community, including universities and conferences.
Advanced into R&D management following success designing high-throughput DNA prep / sequencing processes for the first human genome sequencing efforts. ♦ Enabled the first human genome sequencing within 14 months of project start by designing and implementing a novel process for automated, high-throughput cell culture and plasmid template preparation. ♦ Developed and managed the first automated resequencing pipeline for high-throughput forensic quality Mitochondrial DNA sequencing and analysis in collaboration with FBI and New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner to identify World Trade Center (WTC) victims. ♦ Collaborated with Applied Biosystems on investigation into development of capillary-based sequencing technology / protocols. ♦ Earned recognition for outstanding contributions with the Special President Award from Dr. J. Craig Venter.
♦ Developed and optimized high throughput methodologies for DNA preparation and sequencing. ♦ Developed and implemented a novel automated high throughput cell culture and plasmid template preparation process as part of the Celera Genomics’ large scale sequencing pipeline that allowed the first human genome sequence to be completed in 14 months.
Pioneered high-throughput, solid phase genotyping technologies, leading R&D activities spanning oligonucleotide synthesis, modification, and purification. Conceptualized and designed immobilization chemistries to produce oligonucleotides on solid supports, enabling DNA amplification, hybridization, extension, and ELISA- or direct fluorescent-based detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms. ♦ Developed intellectual property and received patents for co-inventing high-throughput, solid phase genotyping chemistry featuring polymerase-mediated, single-base primer extension. ♦ Invited to attend corporate business planning and development retreat for senior executive leaders.